The Toronto Maple Leafs got a bit of good news to start the week: veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was back on the ice with the main group at Monday’s practice, just two days after leaving Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins with an apparent injury. Given how well Ekman-Larsson has been playing this season, that’s a sigh of relief the Leafs didn’t want to hold in for long.
Saturday’s game was a statement win for Toronto-not just for the scoreboard, but for the depth it showcased. Seven different players found the back of the net, Ekman-Larsson included, as the Leafs capitalized on shaky goaltending from Pittsburgh and got contributions up and down the lineup. It was the kind of balanced offensive effort that hasn’t always been a given for this team, especially from the blue line.
And that’s where Ekman-Larsson’s resurgence has been such a difference-maker. After a few seasons where it looked like his best days might be behind him, the 32-year-old is turning back the clock.
He’s already matched his goal total from all of last season (four), and with 20 points through 25 games, he’s on pace to blow past the 29 he put up in 77 games last year. For a Leafs team that’s often leaned heavily on Morgan Rielly to drive offense from the back end, having a second reliable weapon on the blue line has added a new dimension to their attack.
But it wasn’t all good news on the injury front. Defenseman Brandon Carlo has suffered a setback in his recovery from a lower-body injury and has returned to Toronto to consult with a specialist. That’s a tough blow for a Leafs blue line that’s already had to juggle pairings and minutes through the early part of the season.
Elsewhere in the lineup, things stayed mostly the same from Saturday’s win. The only change was Simon Benoit drawing back in for Dakota Mermis. Benoit had flown home over the weekend to attend a funeral and rejoined the team in time for Monday’s skate.
Calle Jarnkrok and Matias Maccelli remain out, while Max Domi is getting another look on the top line alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. Domi tallied two assists on Saturday, and if he can continue to complement Matthews’ scoring touch and Knies’ physical presence, that trio could start to click in a big way.
Next up, the Leafs hit the road to face the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
ET, and Toronto will be looking to build on the momentum from Saturday’s win. With Ekman-Larsson back in the mix and Domi getting another shot in a top-line role, there’s plenty to watch as the Leafs try to string together some consistency heading into the heart of the season.