Good news for Toronto Maple Leafs fans: despite some injuries, it looks like key players should be healthy for the first playoff game this weekend.
Defensemen Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, along with forward David Kämpf, have all been recovering from upper-body injuries. However, they are expected to be ready to play in Game 1 against the Ottawa Senators in the Battle of Ontario.
After these three players skated in an optional practice on Thursday morning, Coach Craig Berube expressed confidence that they will be able to play against Ottawa.
“I think they are all doing quite well,” Berube commented. “I`m feeling optimistic about it.”
To ensure they are fully recovered for the playoffs, none of the three will play in Thursday`s last regular-season game against the Detroit Red Wings.
They also haven`t participated in a full-contact practice with the team since their injuries.
If they play on Sunday, Ekman-Larsson will have been out for 11 days, and McCabe and Kämpf for 18 days. This suggests they might be playing while not at 100% fitness.
But, as is common in hockey during the playoffs, players often play through some discomfort in April.
Toronto will use the same lineup for Thursday`s game, including star players, as they did in their recent win against Buffalo.
Coach Berube will manage the playing time of his star players in this game, hoping everyone avoids further injuries before the playoffs begin.
“We need to play the game,” Berube stated. “You can`t be too worried or hesitant. You have to play, but also be smart. And it`s my job to manage their minutes.”
Projected Maple Leafs lineup for Thursday`s game against Detroit Red Wings:
Knies – Matthews – Marner
Domi – Tavares – Nylander
McMann – Holmberg – Robertson
Lorentz – Laughton – Järnkrok
Domi – Tavares – Nylander
McMann – Holmberg – Robertson
Lorentz – Laughton – Järnkrok
Rielly – Myers
Benoit – Tanev
Mermis – Carlo
Benoit – Tanev
Mermis – Carlo
Woll (starting goalie)
Stolarz
Stolarz
Tristan Blackwood