The Toronto Maple Leafs head into Friday's practice inching closer toward a healthy lineup, but with just one hitch. Auston Matthews is absent from practice and has been listed as day-to-day with an apparent hand/wrist injury.
Calm down, Leafs Nation. Before you start to panic, the good news is that Matthews' absence was expected, as he has been playing most of this season with a sore wrist and has been spotted as recently as Wednesday having his wrist taped for added stability.
TSN's Leafs beat reporter Kristen Shilton had reported on Thursday that the NHL's leading goalscorer could possibly miss Friday's practice, but is still expected to play on Saturday as the Leafs head to Edmonton to take on the Oilers in a 3-game series at Rogers Place to kick off their 5-game road trip.
More good news coming out of Toronto on Friday has defenseman Jake Muzzin returning to the ice for the first time since suffering a broken bone in his face. Muzzin was spotted sporting a full face shield at practice, as was originally reported would be the case if and when he did return.
Muzzin was not the only injured Maple Leaf who returned to the ice on Friday, as veteran forward Joe Thornton, who has missed the last two games due to a lower-body injury, also practiced with the club at the Ford Performance Centre in Toronto.
In addition, starting goaltender Frederik Andersen joined backup Jack Campbell on the ice ahead of Leafs practice for the first time since suffering a lower body-injury against the Montreal Canadiens last weekend.
Finally, Leafs 3rd-string netminder Michael Hutchinson, who has performed very well in limited action this season, was spotted at Leafs practice wearing a new goalie mask, paying homage to former Leafs' goalie Felix "The Cat" Potvin.
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At this point, it looks as though Hutchinson is expected to start his 4th game of the season for the Leafs against the Oilers on Saturday, though Jack Campbell is expected to join the team on the upcoming road trip, so we could see him take over in the crease once he's been cleared to return.
Hutchinson has posted a 2-1-0 record through 3 starts for the Buds this season, to go along with a 2.36 GAA and a .924 SV% - a vast improvement over his 15 appearances with the team last season, during which time he went 4-9-1 with a 3.66 GAA and a .886 SV%.
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