Auston Matthews will return to the lineup for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, SNP, SNO, SNE, SN360).

The center and Toronto captain has missed the past five games because of a lower-body injury. He last played on Nov. 11 and had previously not missed a game this season after missing 15 last year because of an upper-body injury.

"It's been a tough couple weeks, but I think over the last four, five days or so, skating, practicing, started to feel really good day after day," Matthews said after the morning skate Wednesday. "Stacked some positive momentum and feel like I'm ready to go."

Matthews has 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in 17 games this season.

"It's a boost, right? Boost for our team, for a morale, getting our cap

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