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Leafs practice news: William Nylander, Dakota Joshua resume skating
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Toronto Maple Leafs forwards William Nylander and Dakota Joshua resumed skating, prior to Saturday’s practice.

Nylander has been out of the Maple Leafs’ lineup since aggravating a groin injury against the Vegas Golden Knights on January 15. He previously missed six games due to the injury. The 29-year-old leads the Maple Leafs in scoring with 17 goals and 48 points.

“Hopefully, he will get on the ice this weekend,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said, following Friday’s 6-3 loss to the Golden Knights. “That is what I am hoping. We’ll see where he is at. I don’t really have an update on when he is going to play.”

Joshua also resumed skating for the first time since sustaining a lacerated kidney on December 28 against the Detroit Red Wings. The 29-year-old initially stayed in Detroit, before returning to Toronto, and Berube indicated Saturday that he’s not close to returning. Joshua has recorded six goals and 10 points in 36 games this season.

The Leafs Nation’s Nick Alberga reports that Joshua should be close to returning after the Olympic break.

Toronto hosts the league-leading Colorado Avalanche on Sunday evening, where it will look to snap a three-game losing skid. During their previous matchup on January 12, the Maple Leafs emerged with a 4-3 victory in overtime. Joseph Woll is the projected starter, after Anthony Stolarz returned to action following a two-month injury-related absence.

Following a 6-3 loss to the Golden Knights, in an emotionally charged game where Mitch Marner returned to Scotiabank Arena, Berube expressed his frustration with his team’s effort in the third period.

“We got the momentum, and it doesn’t look like we carried the momentum into the third period,” Berube said. “That’s what I’m talking about. This team played last night in Boston, we had an opportunity to really put the pressure on them here in the third period and carry the play for 20 minutes.”

This article first appeared on TheLeafsnation and was syndicated with permission.

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