Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares returned to the lineup Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens after missing nine games with a lower-body injury.
The 36-year-old has two goals and seven points in seven games. Tavares lined up on the left wing with Nick Paul and William Nylander to start the contest.
Tavares also reclaimed his spot on Toronto's top power-play unit from rookie Gavin McKenna, which the 2026 first overall has no issue with.
Captain Auston Matthews said Tavares has probably been the Leafs' best player at their last two practices, according to TSN's Mark Masters.
Toronto is 8-7-2 and is seventh in the Atlantic Division with 18 points.
