Sunday Morning at approximately 11:30 am, the prodigal son returned to the ice at the MCC.

There he is. Auston Matthews. Getting ready to hit the ice when the zamboni finishes its run. #Leafs scheduled to practice at noon. pic.twitter.com/wU54YidP1U

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) December 17, 2017

The young Leafs star has missed the last four games since getting trucked by teammate Morgan Rielly.

Matthews doing some skating and stickhandling on his own with the #Leafs trainer pic.twitter.com/V3KBZ20cY0

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) December 17, 2017

After skating and taking a few shots, Matthews left the ice before the main body of the team had their practice.

Also announced was Nikita Zaitsev was going on the injured list and powerhouse defencemen Martin Marincin was being called up from the Marlies.

The @MapleLeafs have recalled Martin Marincin from the @TorontoMarlies (AHL) while Nikita Zaitsev has been placed on the injured reserve list with a lower body injury. #TMLtalk

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) December 17, 2017

The Leafs lines at practice:

#Leafs lines at practice:
Marleau-Kadri-Komarov
van Riemsdyk-Bozak-Marner
Hyman-Nylander-Brown
Martin-Moore-Kapanen
Leivo

Rielly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Carrick
Borgman-Polak
Marincin

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) December 17, 2017

After practice Head Coach Mike Babcock said that he was not sure on a return time for Auston Matthews, but did NOT expect the team to shut him (Matthews) down for an extended stretch.

Good news for Leafs fans.

Also no update from the Marlies on injured defenceman Travis Dermott.