Maple Leafs Announce Healthy Scratches to Make Room for Returns of Knies, Matthews

While the rest of the team has done a spectacular job of racking up the victories with a laundry-list of players on the mend, it looks like Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies are officially set to return to the lineup tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Head coach Craig Berube confirmed as much this morning, as reported by David Alter, and with the two Arizona boys coming back in, it appears as though Alex Steeves will be coming out.

Alter also mentioned that the presumption is that Steeves will be sent down to the Toronto Marlies to make room on the 23-man roster for the return of both players. Additionally, Bobby McMann is expected to be moved to the IR, presumably for salary cap reasons.

However, Alter also made note that both Nick Robertson and Alex Nylander didn't take part in the optional morning skate, which is consequential, considering that another player has to come out of the lineup on top of Steeves. With Alex Nylander skating as an extra on Friday, he's likely the odd man out.

Nylander was signed and called up ahead of their contest against the Utah Hockey Club last week.

The Maple Leafs' schedule has been relatively light with back-to-back 2-game weeks, so it has allowed the injured players additional time to heal up while not having to use the AHL call-ups all that much.

The Maple Leafs will be more than happy with the returns of Matthews and Knies, especially after their 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the Florida Panthers their last time out. Coming up against another formidable divisional rival, the Leafs will need all hands on deck tonight in Tampa to avoid losing two straight.