Oliver Ekman-Larsson responded with a smile and avoided a direct answer when asked about his condition.
However, Chris Tanev suggested that his fellow Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman would be returning to play.
Subsequently, head coach Craig Berube stated his expectation that the team`s defensive lineup would be at full strength for the first game of the playoffs.
It is anticipated that Ekman-Larsson will play in Toronto`s opening game against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday night. He has been absent for the previous four regular-season games due to an undisclosed injury.
“Competitiveness, experience, veteran savvy, great person,” Tanev commented on what the Swedish player brings to the team.
Ekman-Larsson joined the Maple Leafs as a free agent after winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last June.
“Just how hard it is to win,” the 33-year-old reflected on his key takeaways from that championship run. “It was my first time going all the way, and I saw how much effort everyone needs to put in, consistently doing things right every day.”
The upcoming best-of-seven series against Ottawa marks the first playoff “Battle of Ontario” since Toronto won four series against their provincial rivals between 2000 and 2004. This series is another opportunity for the talented Maple Leafs team, which has only secured one series victory in their last eight playoff appearances.
“It`s not like we didn`t face challenges,” Ekman-Larsson, who recorded four goals and 25 assists in 77 games in the 2024-25 season, said about Florida`s playoff journey last spring. “We had games where we didn`t play well, but we found ways to recover.”
Berube, who led the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup victory in 2019 and is tasked with helping Toronto overcome their playoff struggles, has utilized the experienced defenseman in various situations throughout this season.
“He has been a very good player in this league for a long time,” the coach noted. “He`s a versatile player, adaptable to different partners, playing on the right side, power play, penalty kill. He`s the kind of player we rely on in many different situations and roles.”
“He accepts it all and handles it well.”
Toronto will also welcome back Jake McCabe on defense, who will resume his usual pairing with Tanev after missing eight games due to an undisclosed injury.
“Jake has been excellent all year,” Tanev said. “We get along very well. We see the game in a similar way. We can exchange thoughts in real-time and make adjustments.”
“He embodies much of how we want to play. The leadership and mentality he brings are extremely valuable.”
The same is true for Ekman-Larsson.
“He has been amazing for the team,” Tanev added. “We missed him when he was out. We are happy to have him back.”
Game 1 of the Battle of Ontario is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
