Huge news for Leafs on Saturday morning ahead of clash with Bruins.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to get a huge boost to their lineup when they clash against one of their most bitter rivals later today during a Saturday night game against the Boston Bruins.

The Leafs have been without the services of their captain Auston Matthews since prior to the holiday break but all signs are now pointing to the fact that Matthews will make his return when the two Atlantic Division rivals renew that rivalry today.

The first good sign came when Matthews joined his teammates on the ice for their regular morning skate ahead of today's game, with Matthews a full participant in the practice. That was quickly followed by another good sign which saw Matthews taking reps with the team's top power play unit, a clear sign that he was very likely poised for a return to the lineup.

Matthews led the stretches at the end of the morning skate and received a round of stick taps from the teammates around him, yet another positive sign regarding Matthews return to the lineup.

The official confirmation regarding a return would come from the man himself however when Matthews informed reporters that he was indeed suiting up for today's game against Boston and was in fact hoping to play both games for the Maple Leafs this weekend.

"It’s no fun watching," said Matthews of his time recently spent on the sidelines.

Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, Matthews has been doing much more watching from the sidelines this season than anyone would have liked with a lingering injury nagging him since the preseason. It remains to be seen if Matthews has fully shaken off the effects of that lingering injury, or if it will continue to be an issue the team and their captain have to deal with moving forward.