Leafs Practice Notes: Matthews, Knies officially back, Steeves scratched, Woll gets the nod

Both players alluded to their impending return after yesterday’s practice and they were seen skating on a line with William Nylander. They also were reinstated on the top power-play unit in a five-forward setup alongside Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares.

“In my mind, I’m back and excited to play tomorrow,” Matthews said on Friday via The Hockey News’ David Alter.

The reinstatement of Matthews and Knies is a huge boost to the Leafs who were feeling the effects of their absence on Wednesday when they struggled in a tough loss to the Florida Panthers. Going 7-2-0 in the nine games their captain was out due to a mysterious injury is no doubt a great sight to see but the Leafs are better off with their best player back in the mix, even if both will need some time to fully get back up to speed.

With Matthews and Knies slated to return to the lineup, Alex Steeves is the odd man out as he stayed out late during the optional skate alongside fellow scratches in Jani Hakanpaa, Philippe Myers, and the suspended Ryan Reaves. He went scoreless in four games this season while registering five shots on goal.

It is worth noting that both Alex Nylander and Nick Robertson were not present for the morning skate, which brings forth questions about where things stand for them and Steeves once the regulars come back into the fold. Reactivating Matthews and Knies means the Leafs are over the 23-man roster limit and someone will be assigned to the Marlies.

Steeves being out of the lineup would make him the likely candidate to get sent back to the AHL this afternoon, but he would have to first pass through waivers so there is the risk of him getting claimed. Robertson and Nylander also have to go on waivers if the team opts to send them down so there will certainly be a lot for Brad Treliving to consider in terms of who is the next to go.

Anthony Stolarz was the only goalie who took part in the optional skate, meaning Joseph Woll will get the nod for tonight’s game. While the Leafs have had the benefit of lengthy gaps in their schedule the past two weeks, tonight marks the start of a cramped week ahead for the team with four games in six days following their tilt against the Lightning.

This means we will get to see the first iteration of the rotation in full effect, so expect to see Stolarz get the start on Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks. As for Woll, he did well in his two starts last week to earn the NHL’s Third Star of the Week but has not had a start in six days.

Since most of the team did not skate this morning, here are the projected lines based on what was used at Friday’s practice via TSN’s Mark Masters:

Forwards

Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-William Nylander

Pontus Holmberg-John Tavares-Mitch Marner

Nick Robertson-Fraser Minten-Alex Nylander

Nikita Grebenkin-Connor Dewar- Steven Lorentz

Defence

Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev

Morgan Rielly- Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins

Goalies

Joseph Woll

Anthony Stolarz