Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Anticipated to Return After Olympic Triumph
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has indicated that star captain Auston Matthews is likely to be in the lineup for Wednesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This comes after Matthews helped lead the United States to a gold medal victory over Canada in the Winter Olympics on Sunday, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Matthews' Return Amid High Spirits
Matthews is scheduled to rejoin his Maple Leafs teammates on Tuesday evening, following a visit to the White House where he and Team USA were honored by President Donald Trump. Originally, the team was invited to the State of the Union address, but plans were adjusted to celebrate the players earlier in the day. Berube noted that Matthews is currently riding a wave of excitement from the win, which could positively impact his performance.
"He's riding a pretty good high right now with winning, so he's feeling good again," Berube stated after a practice session at the Ford Performance Centre. "We'll evaluate that tomorrow and see where he's at. I'll get a better feel when I talk to him tonight."
Potential Challenges and Team Dynamics
However, there are considerations regarding Matthews' potential fatigue upon his return. Berube referenced last year's experience with players coming back from international tournaments, suggesting that fatigue could be a factor. The Maple Leafs are in a critical position, sitting six points out of a playoff spot with 25 games remaining, making every match a must-win. The team's record without Matthews this season is 2-2-2 in six games, highlighting his importance to their success.
Other team updates include winger William Nylander returning to practice after Sweden's elimination by the U.S. in the quarterfinals. Nylander expressed mixed emotions, saying, "I'm super-happy for him and what he was able to accomplish. But I'm also upset we lost. I told him to win it after they beat us, so I'm happy they did."
Additionally, centre John Tavares missed practice due to the flu, but Berube believes he should be fine for the upcoming game. Forward Dakota Joshua, who has been sidelined since December 28 with a lacerated kidney, is now cleared to play, though Berube plans to manage his minutes carefully, especially in back-to-back games.
Looking Ahead to the Tampa Bay Matchup
As the Maple Leafs resume play after the Olympic break, all eyes will be on Matthews to see how he integrates back into the lineup. His performance could be pivotal in Toronto's push for a playoff berth. The game against Tampa Bay is set to be a crucial test, with the team hoping to leverage Matthews' Olympic success into on-ice momentum.
