For the first time in weeks, the Toronto Maple Leafs finally look whole again. After dealing with a wave of injuries that derailed the forward group and stretched the roster thin, head coach Craig Berube confirmed this morning that Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Nicolas Roy will all play tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It’s the biggest lineup boost the Leafs have received this season — three forwards, three different roles, all returning at once as Toronto looks to snap out of its early-season slide.

Auston Matthews: The Core Piece Returns

Matthews missed five games with a lower-body injury, but even in limited action he has remained Toronto’s most impactful player. His return instantly restores the Leafs’ centre depth, power-play punch, and ability to dictate matchups.

When Matthews plays, Toronto controls pace, zone time, and shot volume. When he doesn’t, the entire lineup feels the ripple effects. Tonight marks the return of the Leafs’ most important player — and their emotional anchor.

Matthew Knies: A Quietly Elite Start to the Season

Before being sidelined for three games, Knies was on one of the strongest offensive runs of his career, producing at above a point-per-game pace while continuing to play heavy, north-south hockey.

His presence gives Berube flexibility again: Knies can slide into the top six, drive a forechecking line, or stabilize matchups when Matthews or Nylander aren’t on the ice. Expect him to get key minutes early as he shakes off rust.

Nicolas Roy: Depth & Structure Re-Established

Often overlooked, Roy’s absence created one of the biggest lineup gaps. Toronto leaned heavily on its bottom six while he was out, and the lack of size, board play, and defensive security was noticeable.

Roy’s return helps balance the forward group and gives Toronto a reliable penalty-killer and matchup piece — something they have badly needed.

With all three returning forwards officially drawing in, it now lines up cleanly that Joshua, Maccelli, and Blais are the likeliest scratches tonight.

How This Changes Tonight’s Game

Toronto enters tonight searching for stability after a frustrating stretch of losses, breakdowns, and thin depth. This is the first game in weeks where Berube will deploy a lineup that resembles the team the Leafs envisioned back in October.

Toronto desperately needed a reset button — and they’re getting one tonight in the form of three significant lineup reinforcements. Against a Columbus team that already took advantage of a depleted Leafs squad earlier this month, this is an opportunity to re-establish identity and momentum.

For the first time in a while, the Leafs look like the Leafs again.