Toronto Maple Leafs Recall 3 Players From the Toronto Marlies

The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled Pontus Holmberg, Joseph Woll and Alex Steeves from the AHL.

The Toronto Maple Leafs sent them down to the Marlies on Monday to finish a previously suspended game.

Monday afternoon the Marlies continued their January 13 game against the Manitoba Moose after the game was halted after one period.

Woll played the remaining two periods in which he stopped 21 of 22 shots that helped him earn the games first star.

Steeves would score the eventual game winner in the second period which was assisted by Holmberg, as well as Adam Gaudette.

The Marlies would go on to win the game 4-2.

Toronto Maple Leafs Recall 3 Players

The Marlies played three games in four days between Friday and Monday, finishing with a 2-0-1 record and have increased their lead in the North Division by 14 points.

After being recalled, Holmberg returned to the fourth line center duties in practice on Tuesday, centering Zach Aston-Reese and Joey Anderson.

It has been well documented about his play that has earned the trust of coach Sheldon Keefe.  Holmberg has suited up for 35 games this season collecting five goals and 13 points while averaging 10:25 of ice-time per game.

Steeves also returned to practice on Tuesday, but as an extra skater.  The former college free agent from Notre Dame sits second on the Marlies in points with 39 in 44 games.  He has now suited up in two games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, averaging 8:41 in each of those games and has collected three shots and three hits.

The big news from Toronto Maple Leafs practice on Tuesday was the return of Auston Matthews to the first line.

Matthews was seen centering William Nylander and Michael Bunting.  Matthews has been out since last playing on January 25 and the club has gone 2-3-0 with him out of the line-up, including losses to bottom feeders in the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets.

At the time of writing, it has not been announced if Matthews is returning to the line-up when the club takes on the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night at home.  If Matthews was to remain out of the line-up, it would give the former Hart Trophy winner three more days before the club has another game.

Either way, getting Auston Matthews back in the lineup will be a huge deal for the Leafs, whenever it happens. He may not be having an MVP season like he had last year, but he still remains, at worst, the second best player alive.