Auston Matthews returned to action for the Toronto Maple Leafs last night. He might have only earned a single assist on Matthew Knies' late-game goal in the 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but his presence on the ice wearing the Blue and White was a welcome sight.
Less than 24 hours after coming back and the Leafs returning, they have to play once again. They have made the trip down south to Sunrise and will be facing the Panthers for this second half of a Floridian back-to-back.
Matthew Tkachuk thinks Auston Matthews is extremely underrrated
Most notably, though, Matthews' Team USA teammate and general heel at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Matthew Tkachuk, will be on the other side of the ice.