After missing a few games due to injury, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Friday that there’s a “good chance” Steven Lorentz draws back into the lineup on Saturday night.

Lorentz last appeared a week ago against the Detroit Red Wings, exiting early after taking an open-ice hit from defenceman Ben Chiarot. Speaking after practice on Friday, Lorentz reflected on the play and shared he’s feeling good.

“It wasn’t really malicious,” he said. “He just kind of caught me on the button there and shook me up a little bit. I went back to the bench and was feeling it upper-body, so it was kind of a precautionary thing. I thought I might as well get some rest because I wasn’t really feeling 100%. So yeah, I feel a lot better after a few days’ rest. I’m good to go.”

The 29-year-old skater was available for the Maple Leafs on Thursday night, but was kept off as a healthy scratch in favour of running the same lines as Tuesday, when they beat the Nashville Predators. Lorentz spoke about being left out of the lineup, saying he understands it’s about what’s best for the team.

“That’s the way it goes, I’m happy that we got the win,” he said. “Obviously as a competitor, I want to be in the lineup every single night. But Chief was rolling with what he was rolling with and we had got the win in Nashville, so I’ll never be upset with the coach’s decision to just keep the lines rolling the way they are. When my number’s called, if it’s [Saturday], I’m just going to be as ready as I can to help.”

Official word on whether Lorentz plays Saturday night against the Seattle Kraken will likely come after morning skate. If he draws in, it remains to be seen which bottom-six attacker will be scratched in his place.

Getting to watch the Leafs from the sidelines for a few games, Lorentz also shared how impressed he’s been with Easton Cowan in how he’s adapting to the pace of the NHL so far.

“He’s getting more and more confident,” Lorentz said. “Going back to training camp, he played well in the preseason games, and now when it’s real speed, regular season, he’s got the puck on his stick. You see he’s not afraid to make some plays and he’s taking chances out there.”

Back at full-strength, Lorentz will look for the opportunity to get back on the ice with Cowan and the Leafs on Saturday night, as the team continues their five-game homestand.