Toronto Maple Leafs get major boost as two veteran's return to practice

This season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been down on their luck with injury, but after captain Auston Matthews returned in their latest game, they've now got some more good news.

According to TSN's Mark Masters, veterans Max Domi and Max Pacioretty have both returned to practice after extended absences, with lower-body injuries sending both veterans on IR stints thus far.

With the absence of both players, Toronto has added some youth to the lineup with Nikita Grebenkin and Fraser Minten both playing roles in the bottom six, and with Mitch Marner and William Nylander both starring, the team still has an impressive 14-7-2 record on the season.

Given the way that the current lineup is constructed, both could potentially return to play on the Maple Leafs' third line, which currently features Minten, Steven Lorentz, and Nicholas Robertson, as the team looks to put together a Stanley Cup winning lineup.

With Toronto playing the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, it's unlikely that either will return given that this was their first skate, and with so much time left in the season, the Leafs can afford to be patient, but this is a great step in a return for both players.

This season, Pacioretty and Domi have combined for 12 points in a combined 32 games played, with their absences dating back several weeks now, with their return being highly welcomed by the fans and the team.

At full strength, there are few teams in the NHL this season deeper than the Toronto Maple Leafs, and with everyone clicking even due to injuries, when healthy, there is plenty of optimism that this can finally be the year for Toronto.