Star Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner was a full participant in Friday’s practice and is likely to return Saturday against the Canadiens, Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun reports. As such, Toronto is expected to reinstate him from long-term injured reserve before Saturday’s 7 p.m. ET puck drop.
As head coach Sheldon Keefe tries to finalize line combinations before the postseason, Marner notably won’t return in his usual first-line role alongside Auston Matthews.
In his absence, the generational goal-scorer has done quite well anchoring a line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi, so Marner slides down to the Leafs’ second even-strength unit alongside Bobby McMann and captain John Tavares.
Marner hasn’t played since sustaining a high ankle sprain against the Bruins on March 7, causing a 12-game absence.
Before the injury, Marner was on pace to crack the 100-point mark for the first time in his career. That’s out of the question now, as he’d need 24 points in his final seven games to accomplish the feat, but it shouldn’t take away from a fourth truly exemplary season from the 2015 fourth overall pick.
He’s averaged over 1.2 points per game in each campaign over that span and has recorded expected ratings upward of +14 every time, firmly planting himself in the conversation for one of the best two-way wingers in the world.
His 30 goals and 99 points last season while averaging 2:17 per game on the penalty kill earned him a Selke Trophy nomination for the first time, although he’s earned votes for the honor in five straight seasons.
His return allows Keefe to ice Matthews, Marner, and leading assist-getter William Nylander on three separate lines, something he hopes creates matchup headaches for opposing coaches when the playoffs begin later this month.
The Leafs have made the playoffs every season in Matthews’ career but have failed to advance past the second round.
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