Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews is officially back: We now know the line he will play on

Leafs fans, the wait is over! Auston Matthews is finally going to return to the lineup this Saturday. It appears we also know who his linemates will be next game.

Auston Matthews will return to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning after missing nine games with an upper-body injury.

The star forward, who had not played since Nov. 3, practiced on the top line with William Nylander and Matthew Knies, who is also close to returning from an upper-body injury.

Matthews returned to the ice last weekend after traveling to Germany for an evaluation.

There was some optimism he could return as early as Wednesday against Florida, but he needed more time to get back up to game speed. The 26-year-old has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 13 games this season.

Matthew Knies practiced in a regular jersey Friday after skating in no-contact sessions earlier in the week.

Injured in a collision with Vegas defenseman Zach Whitecloud on Nov. 20, Knies is eligible to return Saturday. He has 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in 20 games this season.

The questionable hit from Whitecloud caught Knies under the chin and sent him out of the game but did not draw a penalty. A scuffle ensued with Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit, who received a double minor, while Whitecloud got a roughing call.

Meanwhile, forward Bobby McMann is day-to-day after suffering a lower-body injury in Wednesday's game. McMann, the eighth Leafs forward to get hurt this season, has six goals and one assist in 21 games.

The injury-riddled Leafs will try to get back on track with Matthews and Knies likely returning this weekend.

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