Matthews took part in the club's optional morning skate. It was the first time he took the ice since playing against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.
Auston Matthews took to the ice for nearly 30 minutes on Saturday, marking his first appearance since being sidelined on Tuesday in the game against the Boston Bruins.
The Toronto Maple Leafs star appeared at ease skating alongside other players who were set to be scratched for the team’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.
"Like I said the other day, he's going in the right direction," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube commented on Matthews. "It's great news. He's feeling better, so it's good."
Matthews has been out since Tuesday, when the club announced he was dealing with an upper-body injury and would miss the game against the Boston Bruins. The team subsequently placed Matthews on injured reserve for roster management purposes, making him ineligible for the game against the Montreal Canadiens. However, he will be eligible to return on Tuesday when the Leafs host the Ottawa Senators.
Berube has confirmed that Matthews' current issue is unrelated to past wrist injuries, though the exact nature of the ailment is unknown.
So far this season, Matthews has recorded five goals and six assists in 13 games. He’s off his usual scoring pace, following two 60-plus goal seasons in the past three years, including a 69-goal performance in 2023-24.
The Leafs have managed well in Matthews' absence, with the power play finding success at 5-for-9 and the team going 2-0-0 over that span.