Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews is returning to the lineup Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed.
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Matthews had been sidelined since suffering a sprained knee in warmups Jan. 25.
The 25-year-old centre, who won last season’s Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and put up the league’s first 60-goal season in a decade, initially played through the injury, but got it checked out by Toronto’s medical staff post-game.
The Leafs anticipated a three-week recovery period, with Tuesday marking exactly 21 days.
Toronto entered the night’s action second in the Atlantic Division, two points up on the Tampa Bay Lightning and 11 back of the NHL-topping Boston Bruins.
Matthews, who skated between William Nylander and Michael Bunting at practice, has 25 goals and 53 points in 47 games this season.
Toronto is coming off a disappointing 4-3 loss to last-place Columbus at home Saturday that split a back-to-back with the Blue Jackets.
With his return Wednesday night, Matthews will have missed only five games — the Leafs went 2-3-0 in his absence — thanks to the All-Star break and the team’s bye week.
—With files from The Canadian Press
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