Matthews, Andersen look ready to return
Leafs’ top goal scorer named division’s best player of the month
Auston Matthews seemed more like a player ready to return from injury than one needing more time to recover.
The Maple Leafs’ No. 1 centre, who on Tuesday was named the North Division’s top player for February, participated in a full practice for the first time in six days and all but pronounced himself fit to return from his wrist injury.
“It’s feeling a lot better — day by day it’s progressed and I’ve been going in a positive direction,” Matthews told reporters in a Zoom call from Edmonton. “The plan is to see how I feel (Wednesday) and go from there.”
That was as good as the news could get for the Leafs, who have won two games without Matthews, both of them shutouts over the Oilers.
Matthews was named the division’s player of the month after leading the NHL in February with 12 goals in 11 games. He was second with 21 points over that span as the Leafs went 92-1 in the month to establish a firm hold on first place in the division.
Matthews, who has been nursing issues in his right wrist for most of the season, said his biggest challenge now is regaining his form, his timing and his conditioning.
“It’s always a challenge coming back from injuries. It’s tough not playing, it sucks watching and not being able to get into games and keep your rhythm. That’s the biggest thing for me. Hopefully, I’ll get back into a game (Wednesday). Just got to make sure I’m moving my legs out there, keeping my shifts short and playing smart.”
The Leafs close out their three-game series with Edmonton Wednesday night, and will be without goaltender Jack Campbell, who posted the first of two shutouts over the Oilers. Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said Campbell “skated but he’s not going to be available.” He will miss his second game after returning from a 13-game absence.
It is possible No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen could return from a lower-body injury that has kept him out of the past four games.
“Freddie Andersen had a positive day and that’s a great thing for us, obviously,” Keefe said. “We’ll have to see how he is (Wednesday) and make a determination from there.”
Matthews conceded he aggravated his injury in a first-period crash into the end boards during a game against Calgary last week. He said the injury affected every aspect of his game, including shooting, playmaking and faceoffs.
“Obviously, I want to feel good enough to play and feel like I can contribute and play my game.” he said. “(But I don’t want to) hinder my ability long term and throughout the season, because we’re playing for more than just the regular season. That’s a decision I’ll make and the training staff too, but I don’t think we’ll make it overly complicated.
“Each day on the ice I’ve felt better and better.”
William Nylander, meanwhile, did not practise Tuesday.
“He’s had something that he’s been managing and playing through here, and we just wanted to give him the day off and let that settle down,” Keefe said.