TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming into the playoffs hot and healthy.
Shutdown defenceman Jake McCabe will suit up for the home team Sunday against the Ottawa Senators after 18 days of rest and recovery from an undisclosed upper-body injury suffered on April 2.
“Yeah, pumped. I’m ready to rock,” McCabe confirmed Saturday.
Less certain, but nevertheless encouraging, is the status of Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who participated in his first full team practice alongside partner Simon Benoit.
The Leafs want to see how Ekman-Larsson (upper body) responds from a hard skate before giving him the green light.
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Battle of Ontario Game 1 on Sportsnet
For the first time in 21 years, the Battle of Ontario returns to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Watch Sunday’s Game 1 between the Maple Leafs and Senators live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
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But the healthy return of two of Toronto’s top-three minute-munchers on the back end would be a game changer.
“They’ve been obviously very good D for us this year,” coach Craig Berube said. “Both good defenders. Penalty kill, power play — they touch all the situations that are needed. And good, experienced defence.”
In the event Ekman-Larsson’s return to action is delayed, right shot Philippe Myers and left shot Dakota Mermis are raring to go.
Unquestionably healthy is the Maple Leafs’ forward group.
So much so, that Toronto practised with a complete fifth line composed of Max Pacioretty (freed from LTIR), David Kämpf (recovered from an upper-body injury) and Ryan Reaves (recalled from the Marlies).
Pacioretty has been ready to play hockey for weeks now, but judging by Saturday’s lines, Berube wants to reward the current group of forwards that finished the regular season on a five-game win streak.
“I think they’ve earned that and played extremely well down the stretch here,” Berube said of his probable Game 1 forwards.
As for the veteran Pacioretty?
“He’s definitely in the conversation all the time,” Berube said. “But I like the way our team played down the stretch here. So, right now, in my head, I’m thinking of keeping it the same.
“But I can make a change by tomorrow.”
Maple Leafs projected Game 1 lineup vs. Ottawa Senators:
Knies – Matthews – Marner
Domi – Tavares – Nylander
McMann – Holmberg – Robertson
Lorentz – Laughton – Järnkrok
Rielly – Carlo
McCabe – Tanev
Ekman-Larsson – Benoit
Stolarz starts
Woll
