Auston Matthews back at practice today, may play tomorrow

Keep your head up for what could be an Auston Matthews return just in time for Christmas.

At today’s practice, numerous reporters noted that the Leafs’ pride, joy, catalyst, leader, saviour, etc… was back and skating with the team for the first time since being injured.

Matthews, who hasn’t played for the Leafs since December 9, is currently sidelined with what had been until today, an undisclosed upper-body injury.

However, Kristen Shilton dropped this nugget of info today:

Head injuries are, of course, never positive. But it has been over two weeks since that incident, so perhaps he’s all clear and ready to go.

Save for the 8-1 victory on Tuesday over the Carolina Hurricanes, Auston Matthews could use the Leafs and the Leafs could really use Auston Matthews. He had begun skating earlier this week, but today’s session showed an added step of positivity.

This season, the second-year forward has picked up 13 goals and 13 assists in just 26 games. His 13 goals rank second on the team behind just James van Riemsdyk, while he sits fifth in assists.