Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies will return to the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Knies missed the Maple Leafs’ previous three games due to a lower-body injury. During his media availability Wednesday, Knies said that he sustained the lower-body injury a month ago and realized he needed some time to recover, via David Alter of The Hockey News.

The 23-year-old recorded five goals and 22 points in 19 games this season. Knies is one of the NHL’s ascending power forwards and his return will certainly be welcomed by a Maple Leafs team sitting last in the Eastern Conference with a 9-10-3 record. He is currently tied for 11th in the NHL with 16 points at 5-on-5 this season, and he’s taken on a greater leadership role this season.

At the time of this filing, it’s unclear whether Matthews and Roy will also suit up on Wednesday. Knies has primarily played alongside Matthews on the top line throughout the year.

Berube implored the Maple Leafs to look at ‘the glass half-full’ to conclude Tuesday’s practice, as the Maple Leafs desperately need to start stringing ways together in order to save what’s been a very disappointing season to date. Knies’ return to the lineup is one reason to be genuinely optimistic about the Maple Leafs ahead of Wednesday’s game, and the larger road trip ahead.

“That’s the way you got to look at things,” Berube said. “The glass is half full. We got an opportunity to go in here tomorrow and get two points and that’s got to be our focus and then we’ll go from there to the next game.”

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