Auston Matthews to return to Leafs’ lineup against Blue Jackets

There’s some sunshine in the Six after all.

When speaking to the media, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews revealed that he will be in the lineup when the team takes on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night.

It comes after the team’s captain has been out of action for almost two weeks with a lower-body injury. Matthews suffered the ailment in a game against the Boston Bruins on Nov. 11 after taking a firm hit from Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov. It was the same night that goaltender Anthony Stolarz went down with an injury.

The Leafs have struggled with the Arizona native’s skill set out of action. In his five-game absence, Toronto went 1-2-2, including a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens this past Saturday night.

Matthews won’t be the only notable Leaf returning to action. Forwards Matthew Knies and Nicolas Roy will also be in the lineup against the Blue Jackets. Knies and Roy have missed the past three games with lower-body injuries.

The return of Matthews should hopefully give Toronto a needed spark in what has been a relatively gloomy start to the 2025-26 season. The Leafs are currently the only team in the Eastern Conference with a record below .500, placing them at the bottom of the East as a result.

The 28-year-old has scored nine goals and five assists for 14 points in 17 games, sitting third on the team in goals and sixth in overall scoring.

With Knies and Matthews back in the lineup, expect to see them moved to the top line together, whether that be with Calle Jarnkrok or Nicholas Robertson.

Injuries have plagued Matthews over his career. Outside of playing 81 games during his 69-goal season in 2023-24, he has played 75 games just one other time in his career, that coming during his rookie campaign in 2016-17.