Maple Leafs HC addresses Auston Matthews' availability for Lightning game

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said he expects forward Auston Matthews to be in uniform Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He said, however, that the final decision would be made upon Matthews' return to the team.

Berube said, via Sportsnet, "He’s riding a pretty good high right now with winning. We’ll evaluate that tomorrow and see where he’s at, and I’ll get a better feel when I talk to him here tonight."

Tuesday, TSN's Darren Dreger reported that there was uncertainty about the return of American players to their respective teams after their gold-medal conquest with the Team USA at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday.

Auston Matthews is expected to play on Wednesday

Matthews helped the Americans in a 2-1 overtime victory against Canada to give the United States its first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey since 1980.

The American team was invited to the White House to celebrate their victory with President Donald Trump on Tuesday, and the Maple Leafs will be back in action on Wednesday in Tampa Bay.

The Arizona native collected three goals and seven points during the Olympic Games. He also has 26 goals and 48 points in 51 games in Toronto this season, as the Maple Leafs try to move up in the standings in the playoff race.

The Leafs are tied for sixth in the Atlantic with a record of 27-21-9. They are six points behind the Boston Bruins and the final playoff spot in the East.

The NHL will present eight games on Wednesday for the return to action after the Olympic break.