Matthews has missed the last nine games and Knies has been absent for two games, each with upper-body injuries.
Auston Matthews is ready to return to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup.
The Maple Leafs held practice in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday afternoon. Matthews and Matthew Knies were present, taking line rushes on Toronto's top line alongside William Nylander.
Matthews has missed nine consecutive games with an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old took part in the Maple Leafs' last practice in Toronto on Tuesday before the team flew to Florida.
The forward admitted that he'd like to have a couple of practices under him before getting back into game action. From Matthews' perspective, he's going to be in the lineup against the Lightning on Saturday.
"In my mind, I’m back and excited to play tomorrow," Matthews said on Friday.
Matthew Knies participated in his first full practice with Toronto since shedding his red non-contact jersey earlier this week. He's missed two games with an upper-body injury after taking a hit from Zach Whitecloud in the Maple Leafs' 3-0 win over Vegas on Nov. 20.
Matthews and Knies participated in the Maple Leafs' power play at practice on Friday, suggesting both will get into the lineup on Saturday in Tampa.
Bobby McMann was absent from Friday's skate. He left Wednesday's game against the Florida Panthers late in the second period and was considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury postgame by Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube.
"It's frustrating," said Berube on Wednesday, discussing the number of injuries as of late, "but hopefully we get some guys coming back here next game."
Alex Nylander was one of two odd men out in the forward group on Friday at practice. He's played two games with the Maple Leafs since signing a one-year, $775,000 deal with the club on Nov. 22. The forward doesn't have a point.
Ryan Reaves was the other extra during Toronto's skate in Florida. He's three games into a five-game suspension he received from the NHL after his hit to the head on Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse.
The Maple Leafs will travel to Tampa following Friday's practice and face the Lightning on Saturday inside Amalie Arena, with puck drop shortly after 7:00 p.m. ET.