Jan 29, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Matt Frattin (39) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center. Leafs beat the Sabres 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs will get a boost tonight as Matt Frattin is expected to return to the lineup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Frattin has missed the last 12 games after having a procedure to correct a problem with his left knee. He first injured it in last year’s AHL playoffs where it required off-season surgery. Frattin will likely be placed on a line with Nazem Kadri and Clarke MacArthur tonight.

There could be a few other lineup modifications for Saturday’s game as well. Jonas Siegel of TSN is reporting that goaltender James Reimer should be back between the pipes against Pittsburgh. Ben Scrivens started on Thursday against the Boston Bruins in the second game of a back-to-back situation for the Leafs.

Defenseman John-Michael Liles was also seen working with the second power play unit at the morning skate today, so there is a possibility he might get the call tonight. Liles has been a healthy scratch for the past 10 games. He has one goal and six points with a plus-2 rating so far this season.

Jan 19, 2013; Montreal, QC, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul(19) celeberates the goal scored by teammate Tyler Bozak (42) (not pictured) while Montreal Canadiens defenseman Francis Bouillon (55) skates by during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Joffrey Lupul was a participant in his first full practice Sunday since breaking his forearm January 23^rd against the Pittsburgh Penguins. David Alter of Sportsnet reported that although Lupul was back on the ice with his Toronto Maple Leaf team-mates, his stay was brief and he appears to still be a long way away from making a return.

Lupul hadn’t recorded a point in three games before getting injured this season, but his chemistry with Phil Kessel has been sorely missed by the Leafs. Kessel has only found the back of the net four times so far this year and one would have to think the return of Lupul could certainly help to improve those numbers.

There was better news when it came to the injured Matt Frattin on Sunday. Frattin’s return seems to be imminent after undergoing a procedure on his left knee that has kept him out of the lineup for three weeks. Before going down, Frattin had seven goals in just 10 games in 2013.