There was a sight for sore eyes at Maple Leafs practice Saturday morning.
Toronto superstar Auston Matthews skated and was seen doing drills in a grey extras jersey at the team’s morning skate, however, he’s still set to miss Saturday’s game against the Washington Capitals.
Defenceman Jani Hakanpaa, who has been out since Nov. 16, was also on the ice at the morning skate wearing a grey jersey.
Head coach Craig Berube told reporters Friday that while Matthews is “doing better,” he will miss the team’s two weekend games as he continues to deal with a lingering injury.
The Leafs played in Detroit on Friday before returning home to face Washington on Saturday.
Matthews missed Toronto’s final two games before the break — both losses.
Berube said a cross-check from Buffalo Sabres defenceman Dennis Gilbert “aggravated” the upper-body injury that caused the Maple Leafs captain to miss nine games and travel to Germany for treatment earlier this season.
Matthews, who scored 69 times in 2023-24 for the highest total by any player in more than 30 years, has 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 24 games this season.
After the weekend back-to-back, their busy schedule continues with a home-and-home against the New York Islanders on Tuesday and Thursday.
— With files from the Canadian Press
