Matthews makes season debut vs. Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews made his season debut Monday night against the New York Rangers.
On Sunday, Matthews said he felt ready to return after undergoing offseason wrist surgery, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton. Head coach Sheldon Keefe later confirmed Matthews was going to return, according to The Hockey News' David Alter.
Matthews missed the Maple Leafs' first three regular-season games. Toronto went 2-1-0 in his absence.
The 24-year-old was a full participant in practice Sunday morning, skating in his normal spot on the top line and on the top power-play unit.
New look #Leafs lines at practice today
— David Alter (@dalter) October 17, 2021
Ritchie-Matthews-Marner
Bunting-Tavares-Nylander
Kerfoot-Kampf-Kase
Engvall-Spezza-Simmonds
Rielly-Brodie
Sandin-Dermott
Amadio*-Liljegren
Campbell
Hutchinson
*filling in on D with 5 D at practice.
Matthews earned his first "Rocket" Richard Trophy last season after scoring 41 goals in 55 games despite playing through a nagging wrist injury. He underwent surgery in August after consulting with the team's medical staff.