Maple Leafs Get Massive Update on John Tavares' Return

Tavares was injured during a power play drill when his skate got caught with defenseman Chris Tanev’s, sending him awkwardly to the ice. He managed to get up under his own power but has missed six games since.

“He’s skating one way and his foot just kind of clips me,” Tavares said. “But it kind of drags me at the same time. Traditionally, it just kind of usually just kind of clips you. And it kind of hooked my leg and stretched me out pretty good.

“I was a little nervous with how my leg was stretching out my left one. And then kind of shifted all my weight to my right and my foot just got stuck in the ice.”

Despite the initial concerns, Tavares’ recovery has gone smoothly for him and the team. The Maple Leafs have endured a few losses since he went down but they are still second in the Atlantic Division. 

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube noted that Tavares' progress has been quicker than expected and he is ready to welcome him back.

“I would say he’s a little bit ahead of schedule,” Berube said. “He was feeling good early. Like, it wasn’t lingering on him so much. So I think that he got ahead of it all. 

”He did a good job of rehabbing and doing what he needed to do, so he’s ahead of schedule.”

Tavares has been a key contributor for the Leafs this season, scoring 20 goals and notching 22 assists in 44 games.

Toronto enters Saturday's game with a 30-19-2 record and 62 points, trailing only the reigning champions Florida Panthers in the standings albeit with a game in hand over them.