It was a very eventful morning skate for the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of Thursday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.

Jake McCabe will return to the lineup after missing the past five games. McCabe took a puck to the head during a Nov. 30 contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 31-year-old took reps alongside Chris Tanev during Thursday’s morning skate.

Bobby McMann was the first skater on the ice before the morning skate formally began. McMann is working through a lower-body injury and hasn’t played since November 27 against the Florida Panthers.

“Bobby McMann is very close. Practice today, he’ll skate with us tomorrow and then we’ll see,” Berube said of McMann.

Anthony Stolarz is the confirmed starter for Thursday’s game, as Berube cited his excellent performance against the New Jersey Devils, along with the team’s impending back-to-back contests on the weekend.

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said McMann is ‘very close’ to returning. McMann could potentially return for Saturday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings or Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Toronto is keeping its five-forward first power play unit in tact, with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Matthew Knies fully engaged during the practice session.

Here’s what you need to know from Thursday’s morning skate

Jake McCabe has formed one of the NHL’s best defensive partnerships alongside Chris Tanev, and he will be welcomed back into the lineup. McCabe spoke to reporters Thursday after the skate ended.

“We snuck a couple of points out of New Jersey, and, you know, we definitely didn’t have it that night, but we found a way to get two points and we’re looking for almost a bounce-back effort tonight even though we won,” McCabe said Thursday morning. “We want a much better effort.”

McCabe has recorded five assists in 23 games this season and will bolster a Maple Leafs’ team that has emerged as one of the NHL’s best defensive clubs.

“Great to have him back,” Berube said Thursday of the McCabe-Tanev pairing. “I think they think alike, they’re on the same page. They’re similar players in how they play the game and how they think the game, and I think that’s a big part of it.”

Nikita Grebenkin was called up Thursday, while Marshall Rifai was assigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Grebenkin was skating in a white jersey and is a projected healthy scratch for Thursday’s game. The 21-year-old did not record a point in seven games with the Maple Leafs, but is considered an ascending prospect in the Maple Leafs’ system, lauded for his size and tenacity.