The Toronto Maple Leafs are confident they’ll have their injured players back for Game 1 of the playoffs against the Ottawa Senators.
Jake McCabe is on the ice for the Maple Leafs’ well-attended optional skate.
He’s been out since Apr. 2 with an upper-body injury. pic.twitter.com/zG1gyZg0zI
— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) April 17, 2025
David Kampf, Jake McCabe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson participated in the Maple Leafs’ optional skate before their final regular season game. Kampf and McCabe have been out since Apr. 2, while Ekman-Larsson has been dealing with an upper-body injury since Apr. 9.
All three won’t be in the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, but Toronto head coach Craig Berube is “fairly confident” each will be available for the first Battle of Ontario in the playoffs since 2004.
“I think they’re all in pretty good shape. I feel pretty good about it,” Berube said.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube says he feels “pretty good” about David Kampf, Jake McCabe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson being ready for Game 1 vs. Ottawa.
“I think they’re all in pretty good shape.”
— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) April 17, 2025
Max Pacioretty and Jani Hakanpaa, who have been on long-term injured reserve for some time, were also on the ice for Thursday’s optional skate. Pacioretty hasn’t played since Feb. 8, while Hakanpaa hasn’t played since Nov. 16 as he deals with knee issues.
Berube has mentioned that he’s “pretty confident” he’ll be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs. Hakanpaa, however, seems to be more of a feel thing, with the veteran defenseman saying, “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.”
‘Hopefully, We’ll Get There; We’ll See’: Maple Leafs’ Jani Hakanpaa Making Progress, But Return For Playoffs Still UncertainAs the Toronto Maple Leafs inch closer to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, there’s cautious optimism surrounding the status of the return of defenseman Jani Hakanpaa — but no guarantees.
Both players wouldn’t be eligible to return in the regular season anyway because of how close the Maple Leafs are against the salary cap.
Kampf has played 59 games this season, scoring five goals and eight assists, and averaging 12:24 in that span. Pacioretty has put up five goals and eight assists in 37 games this year.
McCabe and Ekman-Larsson have been vital parts of Toronto’s defense corps. McCabe has played most of his season alongside Chris Tanev on the team’s shutdown pairing. He’s scored two goals and 21 assists (a career high) through 66 games, plus has averaged the most ice time among Toronto players this season (21:31).
Ekman-Larsson has four goals and 25 assists this season after signing a four-year, $14 million contract with Toronto in the summer. His 21:04 of ice time per game is the fourth-most on the Maple Leafs, behind McCabe, Morgan Rielly, and Mitch Marner.
Toronto clinched the Atlantic Division title on Tuesday with their 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres. According to several reports, Game 1 against the Senators is set for Sunday inside Scotiabank Arena.
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