Brett Connolly (lower body) will be back in the lineup Thursday against the Maple Leafs, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Connolly (lower body) will be back in the lineup Thursday against the Maple Leafs, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

Connolly cleared the final hurdle for his return by participating fully in the team's morning skate, where he was slotted on the fourth line with Brenden Morrow and Brian Boyle. The 22-year-old had two points in eight games prior to miss the team's last 12 contests with the lower-body ailment.