Maple Leafs' Zaitsev back after 17-game absence with broken foot

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev will be in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the New York Islanders, head coach Mike Babcock confirmed.

Zaitsev has been sidelined since Dec. 15 with a broken foot.

His return marks a positive development for a blue line that's still without Morgan Rielly, who is out with an arm injury.

Through 34 games this season, Zaitsev has recorded four goals and six assists in 22:51 of ice time per outing, second on the team in average ice time only to Jake Gardiner.