The struggling Toronto Maple Leafs got some encouraging news on Monday as injured forwards Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies and Nicolas Roy are all close to returning to game action, according to head coach Craig Berube.
“I’ll probably know tomorrow if they’re available Wednesday,” Berube told reporters.
The Maple Leafs, who have lost seven of their last eight games including a 5-2 defeat by the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, will be in Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets on Wednesday.
Despite the positive news, Berube added defenceman Brandon Carlo and goalie Anthony Stolarz have not resumed skating.
Defenceman Jake McCabe, who left Saturday’s game against the Habs after taking a puck to the face, was not at practice on Monday, but is expected to be in the lineup against the Jackets.
Matthews hasn’t played since Nov. 11 with a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old captain has nine goals and five assists over 17 games this season, his 10th in Toronto.
Knies, 23, has missed three games with a lower-body injury while Roy, 28, has also missed three games with an upper-body injury.
The 28-year-old Carlo hasn’t played since Nov. 13 after suffering a lower-body injury against the Los Angeles Kings.
Stolarz suffered an upper-body injury on Nov. 11 against the Boston Bruins.
Veteran defenceman Chris Tanev remains out with an upper-body injury suffered on Nov. 1.
Toronto is last in the Atlantic Division with a 9-10-3 record.