The Maple Leafs practised at the Ford Performance Centre on Tuesday.

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Anthony Stolarz participated in a full practice for the first time since being forced from the Leafs lineup due to a knee injury.

"Just taking it day by day right now," the 31-year-old goalie said. "Kind of sucks, obviously, not playing. And we were playing pretty well when I went down. So, just to be able to get back out there, be able to practice with the guys again, be around the group, it's been a lot of fun so far."

Stolarz insists he does not have a specific return date in mind yet.

Craig Berube is hoping Stolarz is able to get back in before the 4 Nations Face-Off break starts on Feb. 8.

"He's been very positive about everything," Toronto's head coach said. "He's been in a good frame of mind with it all."

The Leafs have five games remaining before the break, including Wednesday when the Minnesota Wild visit Scotiabank Arena.

The knee is feeling good so the key for Stolarz right now is improving his conditioning and getting back into game shape.

"It's a little different for a goalie," Stolarz noted. "It's more timing, screens, traffic, just being able to read plays, so just trying to make the most of every rep I get in there. [Goalie coach] Curtis [Sanford] and I have been working before practice, after practice, on little things just to try and get back up to speed here ... There's no cardio like playing hockey in a real, 60-minute game, especially as a goalie."

Stolarz hasn't played since leaving a game against the Anaheim Ducks early on Dec. 12. He underwent a procedure to remove a loose piece of cartilage or bone that was stuck behind his knee on Dec. 18.

"I just felt something, a little pebble that kind of got lodged back there," Stolarz explained in his first media session since sustaining the injury. "It's just something that's been there for a while. We've known about it and it just kind of moved into the bad spot."

When he met the media in mid-December, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving anticipated the recovery period would last around four to six weeks. The six-week mark arrives on Wednesday.

Stolarz, who has long yearned for the chance to be the go-to guy on an NHL team, was in the middle of a breakthrough season when the injury occurred. His .927 save percentage in 17 games continues to lead the NHL.

"He's been playing very, very well for us when he's been in the net," said winger Mitch Marner, who also played with Stolarz in the Ontario Hockey League. "Unfortunate time to get an injury. He's a guy that battles through adversity well. He's been taking care of himself and wants to get back on the ice to help his team win games. It was good to see him out there for the full praccy today, and he brings a good vibe and mood out there too."

Stolarz backed up Sergei Bobrovsky during the Florida Panthers run to the Stanley Cup last season. In the summer, he signed a two-year deal with Toronto in the hopes of earning more playing time. His career high........

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