Leafs finally get some good news on Mitch Marner and Ilya Samsonov.

The Maple Leafs are back on the ice on Wednesday for what the coaching staff is referring to as a “skills session” rather than a regular practice after an ugly 6-3 loss on home ice in Toronto yesterday night. Two other unexpected guests were the Leafs, as Ilya Samsonov and Mitch Marner have now returned to the starting lineup.

There’s no guarantee that Marner or Samsonov will suit up against the Capitals tomorrow, but it’s encouraging to see them both back on the ice with their teammates. Marner and Samsonov usually wear grey jerseys, which are kept for extras.

Marner sustained his first injury on March 7th, during a game against the Boston Bruins, when he twisted his ankle awkwardly while falling, resulting in a high-ankle sprain. Although the sprain was not severe, he has missed the last eight games as a result of it.

Fans were worried about Samsonov, the team’s top goalie, after he sustained an injury last Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers and needed assistance getting off the ice and down the tunnel. Fortunately, Sheldon Keefe had stated over the weekend that Samsonov shouldn’t miss much, if any, time at all, and that the problem was thought to be minimal.

With Joseph Woll’s struggles against New Jersey last night, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if we see Ilya Samsonov back between the pipes on Thursday against his former team, the Washington Capitals. The 27-year-old netminder told the media following today’s skate that he’s ready to play and that he’s “pain free”. Of course, Samsonov will still need to get the green light from the team’s medical staff before he gets back in there.