The center and Toronto captain has missed the last five games due to a lower body injury. He last played on November 11 and has not missed a game this season after missing 15 games last year due to an upper body injury.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but I think the last four, five days of skating, practicing, day after day, it’s starting to feel really good,” Matthews said after Wednesday’s morning skate. “Got some positive momentum and feel like I’m ready to go tonight.”
Matthews has 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in 17 games this season.
“It’s a boost, right? A morale booster for our team, definitely getting our captain back,” said Toronto coach Craig Berube.
The Maple Leafs, who continued a six-game road trip, were 1–3–1 without Matthews.
“Today is a new day. This is a great opportunity for us,” Matthews said. “I think we’re excited to get on the road, to be here together for a long time and it’s a great opportunity for us to find our way through adversity.”
Forwards Matthew Neese (lower body) and Nicolas Roy (upper body) also will return to the lineup on Wednesday after missing the last three games.
“I feel great. I feel a lot better,” Nease said. “I’m excited to get back in the lineup. It looks (stinky). You just want to be out there and help guys. So, happy to do it today.
“I think everybody of us that is out right now is eager to come back and help. I’m glad I can come back healthy and make an impact and hopefully help us win.”
Toronto (9-10-3) enters the Eastern Conference final Wednesday.
“It’s great to have people back but it won’t change anything, right?” Berube said. “We need to play better and we need everyone to play better. This is definitely a big game. The start of a road trip to get us off on the right foot here. But let’s focus on the process of how we have to do that.”
NHL.com freelance reporter Craig Merz contributed to this report
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