The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for their playoff clash against the Ottawa Senators, and they've got some promising updates on the injury front. David Kampf, Jake McCabe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, key components of the Leafs' lineup, took part in the optional skate ahead of their final regular-season showdown. Although these players will not be suiting up against the Detroit Red Wings, there's optimism buzzing around their availability for Game 1 of the playoffs, rekindling the storied Battle of Ontario last seen in 2004.
Head coach Craig Berube exuded optimism about the return of these players when he said, "I think they’re all in pretty good shape. I feel pretty good about it." These words should come as a relief to Maple Leafs fans eager to see their team at full strength.
Adding to the sizzle on the ice, Max Pacioretty and Jani Hakanpaa, who've been sidelined long-term, also appeared in Thursday's optional skate. While Pacioretty hasn't been seen since early February, Hakanpaa's been facing knee troubles since November.
Berube feels fairly confident about Pacioretty's return for the playoffs, although Hakanpaa is more of a day-to-day situation. "It’s been trending really good in the gym and on the ice, off the ice, everything.
Hopefully, we'll get there. We’ll see," Hakanpaa shared.
It’s crucial to note, though, that cap constraints prevent both players from making a return this regular season.
Delving into the stats, Kampf has been a solid contributor, clocking 59 games with five goals and eight assists to his name, averaging just over 12 minutes on the ice. Pacioretty, on the other hand, has matched that point total in fewer games, displaying his offensive prowess before the injury.
Defensive anchors McCabe and Ekman-Larsson have been indispensable for Toronto. McCabe, a linchpin in the shutdown pairing with Chris Tanev, has not only set a personal best with 21 assists in 66 games but also led the Leafs in ice time, averaging an impressive 21:31 per game. Meanwhile, Ekman-Larsson’s presence has been felt with four goals and 25 assists this season, boasting the fourth-highest average ice time on the team.
Capping off an excellent regular season, the Maple Leafs clinched the Atlantic Division title with a 4-0 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres. The much-anticipated Game 1 against the Senators is slated for Sunday at Scotiabank Arena.
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