Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was a full participant in practice Tuesday, indicating that he’s closer to returning from an upper-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup since November 5.

There’s no formal designation on Matthews’ status for Wednesday’s game against the Florida Panthers, but Toronto’s superstar forward could return after an eight-game absence, although it appears more likely that he’ll make his return Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“I think the individual skates were much different than a team practice, so this being kind of like the first actual team practice I’ve skated in, I’ve felt really good but I might need maybe one or two to really get my legs and lungs back under me,” Matthews said via Nick Barden of The Hockey News.

Matthews was a full participant in Sunday’s morning skate, skating and shooting with his usual velocity, and he was placed on a line alongside Pontus Holmberg and William Nylander on Tuesday, via TSN’s Mark Masters. The reigning Rocket Richard winner posted five goals and 11 points in 13 games this season.

Matthew Knies attended practice in a red non-contract jersey and it appears that he’ll miss Wednesday’s game against the Florida Panthers. Knies left Wednesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights and did not return after getting hit by Golden Knights defenceman Zach Whitecloud. Knies was initially paired alongside Matthews and Mitch Marner to start the year but during Matthews’ eight-game absence, Marner has been in terrific form alongside John Tavares and Bobby McMann.

Max Domi will not make the two-game trip to Florida, Berube confirmed via Masters. Domi has missed the Maple Leafs’ past two games due to a lower-body injury. Toronto placed Domi on injured reserve retroactive to November 16 on November 20, while calling up Nikita Grebenkin from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Domi has been eligible to return since Sunday, but is fighting through a lingering injury. He recorded six assists in 19 games thus far.

Jake McCabe was absent from Tuesday’s practice due to maintenance. McCabe has formed one of the NHL’s premier shutdown pairings alongside Chris Tanev to begin the season, while recording five assists in 21 games.