Zaitsev returns to Maple Leafs' lineup for Game 3

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have Nikita Zaitsev back in the lineup for Game 3 versus the Washington Capitals, the defenseman confirmed following Monday's morning skate.

Zaitsev was injured in the regular season finale on April 9, and missed the first two games of Toronto's first round series with what was classified as an upper-body ailment.

Zaitsev is in. "I'm so excited. It was hard to watch." #Leafs

- Terry Koshan (@koshtorontosun) April 17, 2017

The timing couldn't be better for the Maple Leafs, who lost Roman Polak for the season after a hard hit from Brooks Orpik in Game 2.

Zaitsev has been a key piece of Toronto's top four all season long, averaging 22:01 per night, while contributing four goals and 32 assists.

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