Maple Leafs welcome back young superstar Matthews from injury
TORONTO — Star centre Auston Matthews returned to the Toronto lineup on Wednesday night against the visiting San Jose Sharks and gave his National Hockey League team a quick spark, collecting two goals and an assist in a 5-3 Maple Leafs victory.
John Tavares also collected a pair of goals, his 16th and 17th of the season, while Mitch Marner picked up three assists. Patrick Marleau scored the other Toronto goal.
Tomas Hertl, Joe Pavelski and Melker Karlsson replied for San Jose.
Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen made 38 saves for the victory.
Leafs head coach Mike Babcock confirmed Matthews’ return Wednesday morning.
The 21-year-old Matthews hasn’t played since suffering a shoulder injury Oct. 27 against the Winnipeg Jets.
“Matthews is cleared medically, says he’s ready to go (and) feels comfortable to take a big hit, so he’s ready to play,” Babcock said.
Matthews was hurt early in the second period of Toronto’s 3-2 victory over Winnipeg last month when Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba delivered a shoulder-to-shoulder check as the Leafs forward tried to cut in front of the net.
The 2017-18 Calder Trophy winner as the NHL’s top rookie, Matthews had 10 goals and six assists through 11 games before the injury, which kept him out for 14 games.