Auston Matthews returned to the lineup for the Toronto Maple Leafs when they visited the Florida Panthers on Saturday (CBC, SNO, SNW, SNP, BSFL, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The center replaced Jason Spezza after missing three games with an undisclosed injury. He leads the NHL with 58 goals and is two from becoming the first NHL player since Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2011-12 to score 60 in a season.
"It's been a little bit difficult just trying to work through it," Matthews said Saturday. "I feel comfortable getting back in tonight. These are important games for us coming up, so it's exciting.
"I think you can always take the positive and the negative. Obviously I don't like to not play. It's never fun sitting out, never fun watching games when you wish you could be in there. But you've got to take the good with the bad and hopefully that little bit of rest is beneficial. Obviously I'd much prefer to be playing."
The Maple Leafs (51-21-6) were second in the Atlantic Division, six points ahead of the Lightning, having played one more game. Toronto plays at the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
"We're just focused on today," Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. "[Matthews] feels really good today. We talked about the fact that we do play again tomorrow. He could take the day (off), but he really wanted to play tonight. He feels like he's ready. He skated yesterday, didn't want to bother skating this morning, feels he's ready to go."
Jake Muzzin remained sidelined with an undisclosed injury, but Keefe said the defenseman could play Sunday. -- Alain Poupart