Projected lineup for tonight's game against the Rangers revealed

Auston Matthews appears poised to return to the lineup tonight after missing Saturday's clash with the Pittsburgh Penguins, a 7-0 massacre by the Leafs, who had a number of players step up in Matthews' absence, including his linemate, Matthew Knies, who notched a Gordie Howe hat trick.

The Leafs are also likely to receive a huge boost on the blueline, as T.J. Brodie appears to be good to go as well after he was labelled as a game-day decision by head coach Sheldon Keefe following yesterday's practice.

According to Sportsnet's Luke Fox, here's how tonight's projected lineup stacks up:

Knies – Matthews – Nylander
Bertuzzi – Tavares – Marner
Robertson – Domi – Järnkrok
McMann – Kämpf – Gregor

Rielly – Brodie
McCabe – Liljegren
Lagesson – Timmins

Still no confirmation as to who will start in goal, but it would not be surprising to see Martin Jones draw in after a sensational 38-save shutout on Saturday.

The Leafs have 3 games remaining before the Christmas break, drawing the New York Rangers tonight, the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. The Buds are 16-6-6 through their first 28 games this season, and I'm sure they'd love to make it 19-6-6 heading into the holidays.