The Toronto Maple Leafs enter these Stanley Cup Playoffs with a giant cloud over their head because the staff with arguably essentially the most at stake within the postseason.
The Leafs completed with the second-best document within the Jap Convention this season and gained the Atlantic Division, so expectations are sky-high as they search for that playoff breakthrough. On Sunday, simply earlier than Recreation 1 of their first-round collection in opposition to the Ottawa Senators, they obtained some excellent news that can make that quest just a bit bit extra attainable.
Head coach Craig Berube stated that prime defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson will likely be again within the lineup for Recreation 1, in line with Chris Johnston of The Athletic.
“Oliver Ekman-Larsson will return to the Leafs lineup tonight, per Craig Berube,” Johnston reported on X, previously Twitter.
Having Ekman-Larsson again within the lineup will give this Maple Leafs squad an enormous increase heading into what needs to be a reasonably powerful collection within the first spherical. He’s their second-leading scorer amongst defensemen with 29 factors in 77 video games and the staff is a plus-14 with him on the ice.
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Even when wholesome, the Leafs know that that is going to be a really difficult collection for them. Toronto is certainly the favourite heading in, however it should nonetheless be a giant problem to take down a hungry Ottawa staff. Berube highlighted the issue of enjoying in opposition to the Senators earlier than Recreation 1.
“You are not going to get any simple ice in opposition to them,” Berube stated, per Johnston. “None. It’ll be a battle.”
Toronto comes into this postseason as one of many favorites to win the Stanley Cup, however the stress on it to begin this run is immense. The Maple Leafs have made the playoffs in every of the previous 9 seasons, however has solely gained one collection in that point interval. One other loss within the first spherical this yr can be crushing.
Having Ekman-Larsson again within the lineup will assist the Leafs, however they should be on excessive alert regardless coming into this collection.