The Leafs got two pieces of good news today: the first was the return of Auston Matthews from Germany and seeing him on the ice, with Ekman-Larsson back too. The Maple Leafs are battling an adverse stretch with seven players out because of injury or suspension. However, here's some good news: Auston <a href='https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-auston-matthews-returns-to-the-ice/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Matthews was on the ice for the first time since Nov. 10</a>, after missing seven games and returning from Munich, Germany. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Leafslatest/status/1860354586415857752'> </a></blockquote></div> GM Brad <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/brad-treliving-clarifies-everything-behind-all-the-secrecy-of-leafs-auston-matthews-injury' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Treliving was forced to provide some clarity the other day</a> when fans panicked upon hearing that Matthews had gone to Munich, Germany. While he won't play Sunday against Utah, nor likely in Florida, his progress would indicate a return soon. Matthews, known for the offensive firepower he brings to the table, has had a slower start this season in posting five goals in 13 games partly due to increased defensive duties. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/AustonMatt51041/status/1853281325362368898'> </a></blockquote></div> It's a big drop from last year's total of 69, but his team has picked up the slack in his absence. Powered by Mitch Marner's 26 points in that time, William Nylander's 13 goals, and a rejuvenated John Tavares, the Leafs are 6-1-0 without Matthews, including shutout wins over Boston and Vegas. At times, the Core Four has not lived up to the hype many fans have come to expect of them, and depth players will need to start chipping in if Toronto wants consistency. With Matthews taking the necessary time to recover, including seeing a specialist in Germany, he can't be too far off from returning. The Leafs are resilient enough to have fared so well without him, but long-term success relies on his presence. In one final piece of good news, Oliver Ekman-Larsson appears to be back from his illness, and he is expected to be in the lineup for the Leafs next game. Small steps, but things are slowly getting better for Leafs Nation.