TORONTO -- Auston Matthews participated in his first full practice with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday and could return from an upper-body injury when they visit the Florida Panthers on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, SNW, SNO, SN1).

Defeating the defending Stanley Cup Champions won't be easy, which is why Maple Leafs fans are hoping that Matthews will be healthy enough to face the Panthers. The Toronto captain has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since Nov. 3, however, Tuesday's return to practice sparked optimism regarding his outlook.

The bruised-and-battered, next-guy-up, stick-to-the-system Toronto Maple Leafs have weathered the storm admirably, going 7-2 over the nearly four-week-long absence of Auston Matthews. But as the forward injuries compound and the goals dry up,