NHL insider Mark Masters has just shared with Leafs fans that Auston Matthews was back on the ice today, and he expects him to be back Tuesday against <a href='https://www.nhl.com/senators/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>the Senators</a>. On Saturday, the <a href='https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Toronto Maple Leafs</a> got a boost as their captain Auston <a href='https://www.si.com/onsi/breakaway/news-feed-page/toronto-maple-leafs-big-auston-matthews-injury-update' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Matthews hit the ice to work on his stickhandling and skating</a> for the first time since going on retroactive injured reserve just one day in advance. Now, NHL insider Mark Masters has revealed that Auston Matthews' likely return date could be Tuesday night when the team takes part in the first installment of the Battle of Ontario. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Leafslatest/status/1855273328862261600'> </a></blockquote></div> That, at least, is a promising sign toward his eventual return, and it's reassuring given Toronto's solid performance in his absence. The Leafs boast an incredibly strong 37-19-2 all-time record without their captain, showing their resilience even without one of their biggest stars. Fortunately for the fans, whenever Matthews is outside the team, they do not really struggle much, which keeps the players focused and confident. Once Matthews is back, Max Domi will more than likely shift down to the third line. But with Bobby McMann and <a href='https://www.markerzone.com/hockey/stats/nhl/player/Nicholas-Robertson-54999' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Nick Robertson</a> performing fairly decently in the last few games, this adjustment should go pretty well with Toronto. Productivity has been slow this season, in a sense, with other tasks handed to Matthews by head coach Craig Berube cutting down his scoring chances. He did say the main question now is how his return will impact Toronto's powerplay, which has suddenly come alive. Whereas through their first 13 games, the Leafs netted just three goals on the man advantage, they racked up five through their last two outings, including three against the Boston Bruins. It may behoove them to take some second-unit powerplay reps for Matthews until the team finds its balance. While Auston Matthews isn't eligible to return until Tuesday's game against Ottawa, the fact that he's back out at practice is a good morale boost for the team and a welcome sight for Leafs fans. All eyes will be on him going forward as to whether he returns at full strength and is ready to drive Toronto's offense once again.