The top-six forwards on the Maple Leafs are on the recovery trail as the team heads to Florida.
Auston Matthews was a full practice participant on Tuesday and Matthew Knies made his first appearance, albeit in a no-contact red jersey, as the club prepares to visit the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Wednesday evening, followed by Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Wednesday would mark 24 days since last season’s NHL goal leader Matthews played, taking himself out of the lineup with a mystery upper-body ailment that eventually involved a trip to a clinic in Germany.
In his absence, the Leafs have won seven of eight games and their first test minus Knies came on Sunday after he was rocked by a check from Vegas’ Zach Whitecloud earlier last week.
But Matthews was non-committal about playing the Panthers, citing his lack of full practices. He looked in fine form skating and shooting on Tuesday and led the post-practice stretch.
“We’ll see,” he said, “see how I respond today and see what happens tomorrow (at the morning skate).”
Coach Craig Berube had to temper his enthusiasm about how well Matthews looked.
“A lot of good signs pointing in the right direction, but when a player comes to me and says he’s ready to go, then he’s ready to go. The tricky part is practice. Not having a lot is a little concerning.”
Knies will make the trip and a better assessment of his return later on the trip will be made Wednesday after he presumably does extra work after the morning skate.
Max Domi (lower body) and David Kampf (lower body) are staying in Toronto for rehab work.
Not wishing to tinker too much with a good thing, Berube had Matthews centring Pontus Holmberg and William Nylander, leaving the line of John Tavares, Mitch Marner and Bobby McMann intact.
Despite his 11-game goalless slump, Nick Robertson was at left wing with Marlies call-ups Fraser Minten and Alex Nylander. Nikita Grebenkin alternated with the younger Nylander as extra winger on Minten’s line.
There will be a private ceremony at the morning skate in Florida when representatives from the Panthers present goalie Anthony Stolarz, defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and winger Steven Lorentz with their 2024 Stanley Cup rings.
The incumbent Panthers received theirs in October and those who departed the club collect them as they come through town. An in-game video tribute is likely, too.
“I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve about to wake up to my big present,” Lorentz gushed. “I’m biased, but from what I’ve seen of the ring in pictures, I think it’s one of the better I’ve seen the past through years.
“It’s simple enough, it has the diamonds and everything, but I’ve heard the box it comes in plays a little video inside. I’ll probably keep it for a while then give it to my mom and dad to show everybody.”
Stolarz is expected to get the start on Wednesday, beginning this week with the NHL’s best save percentage at .927.
“To be honest, it’s just another game, a big one in the division with a four-point swing,” Stolarz said.
The Leafs could open a five-point lead on the slumping Panthers with a regulation win.
“We want to keep this momentum we have going,” Stolarz said. “We know they are a hard-checking team that plays hard at both ends.
“(The Florida trio) are looking forward to the hardware. It’s something I can keep in my family for generations.”
Ekman-Larsson was equally pumped.
“I think they look pretty sweet. It’s part of the experience, to be able to bring it out when you want to take a look at it. To get it, have it and feel it will be very cool.
“I was only there for one year, but a lot happened in that time. We had our son there, won a Cup and built some really good lasting relationships with the guys. Memories that will last the rest of your life, so it’s a special feeling to go back.”
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