Leafs Get Major Boost as Matthews, Knies and Roy Return vs Blue Jackets
So here’s what’s going on with the Toronto Maple Leafs right now, and honestly, it feels like a long-awaited breath of fresh air for a team that’s been sliding in the wrong direction. Tonight’s matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets is shaping up to be more than just another game on the schedule — it’s a chance for the Leafs to reset, because three key forwards are finally back in the lineup: Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Nicolas Roy.
For a team that’s been dealing with injuries almost nonstop, this is a big deal. Matthews has been out since November 11 after suffering a lower-body injury against the Bruins. Roy has been missing since November 15 with an upper-body issue, and Knies — who’s only 23 — revealed that he’d actually been pushing through a lower-body problem for over a month before he finally had to sit out. All three returning at once feels like a turnaround moment the Leafs desperately needed.
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Knies spoke this morning and you could tell just how fired up he is to return. He basically said it’s been tough watching from the sidelines, especially when the team’s been struggling, and he just wants to get back out there and help. And to be fair, he’s been having a strong season — five goals and 17 assists in only 19 games. He also signed that big six-year, $46.5 million deal over the summer, so you know the organization sees him as a core piece moving forward.
Matthews, entering his 10th season in Toronto, returns with nine goals and five assists through 17 games. The Leafs need his finishing ability and leadership right now more than ever. Roy, meanwhile, hasn’t generated big numbers yet — one goal and four points — but his presence down the middle helps restore balance to the lineup, especially with all the recent shuffling of lines.
Now, this return couldn’t be happening at a more urgent time. The Leafs sit last in the Atlantic Division with a 9-10-3 record through 22 games. They’ve dropped seven of their last eight. This isn’t the kind of start anyone expected from a team that has made the playoffs nine seasons in a row. They’ve been missing impact players, the forward depth has been stretched thin, and the results have shown it.
Defensively, there’s at least a bit more optimism. Brandon Carlo joined the morning skate for the first time since his November 13 injury, which is a good sign. Chris Tanev and goalie Anthony Stolarz are still out, but Carlo returning to the ice is a major step.
So tonight becomes a bit of a statement opportunity — not just to snap the slump, but to remind everyone what this team looks like when its stars and key contributors are actually in the lineup. With Matthews, Knies, and Roy all back, it finally feels like the Leafs might be turning the page.
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