"I'm pumped," Matthews said after practice Sunday. "It's not a lot of fun watching. It looks like the guys are having a lot of fun out there so itching to get back in. It's been good to stay patient and make sure I'm feeling fully confident and taking that extra time."
The center practiced Sunday wearing a regular blue jersey. He skated between Nick Ritchie and Mitchell Marner on the top line, moving captain John Tavares to center on the second line with Michael Bunting and William Nylander, and was with the first power-play unit.
"It's huge obviously," Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. "One of the best players in the world. He's been practicing with us for a while now, so it's been tough not having him in the games because you can see how effective he is and how dominant he is in practice. He's excited, fans are excited, players should be excited. We fully expect him to go."
The Maple Leafs (2-1-0) are coming off a 3-1 win against the the Ottawa Senators at home Saturday.
"I'm really anxious to get out there and play obviously," Matthews said.
Matthews missed the first three games of the season to recover from Aug. 13 wrist surgery. The Maple Leafs announced at the time he would need a minimum of six weeks. The 24-year-old led the NHL in goals last season with 41 in 52 games, missing four games with a wrist injury. He took part in the majority of team drills since joining the main group at training camp Sept. 28.
"Obviously a special talent coming off a great year last year," Tavares said. "We know what he's going to add to our lineup and how dangerous he makes us not just with the puck in his hands but all the things he does well. He's been working hard to get back so obviously thrilled to get back a great player."
Maple Leafs defensemen Justin Holl (illness) and Jake Muzzin (maintenance day) did not practice. Goalie Michael Hutchinson was recalled from Toronto of the American Hockey League with Petr Mrazek expected to be out 14 days with a groin injury sustained in a 3-2 loss at the Senators on Thursday.
NHL.com staff writer Mike Zeisberger contributed to this report
