John Tavares is playing for the Maple Leafs in their preseason opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday (NHLN, SN1, RDS).
The center had not played since a concussion and knee injury sustained in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup First Round against the Canadiens on May 20 when he fell after being checked by Montreal defenseman Ben Chiarot and then was hit in the head by the left knee of forward Corey Perry. Tavares left the ice on a stretcher and was hospitalized overnight.
"Just turning into that that nervous energy or anxiety towards excitement," Tavares said. "It's getting to play the game again doing what I love."
Tavares was expected to play on a line with
Joshua Ho-Sang
and Michael Bunting.
"He's put a tremendous amount of work in," coach Sheldon Keefe said. "From what I've seen from him in the first three days, he's ready. He's prepared. He's focused, both for himself getting back to playing and also to setting our team up for a good season"
Center Auston Matthews handled the puck Friday for the first time since he had wrist surgery Aug. 13, but Keefe said there is no timeline for when he will join the main group at camp.
"We are very confident it is going to be before the opening of the regular season (Oct. 13 against the Canadiens in Toronto) and of course, if we can get him into some exhibition games, that would be even better," Keefe said. -- Dave McCarthy