Craig Berube Confirms Oliver Ekman-Larsson's Status for Game 1 vs. Senators

The Maple Leafs head coach has confirmed that Ekman-Larsson will be active for today's game one against the Ottawa Senators, and back in the Toronto lineup.

Ekman-Larsson has been out since April 9th due to an upper-body injury suffered against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Along with Ekman-Larsson, the Toronto Maple Leafs will also have another defenseman fully active in Jake McCabe, who was confirmed yesterday to be active by Leafs head coach Craig Berube.

The addition of Ekman-Larsson is a major add to the Leafs playoff roster, providing both a veteran presence and deep playoff experience, having won the Stanley Cup last season with the Florida Panthers.

Ekman-Larsson, 33, has four goals and 29 points in 77 games in the regular season for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Leafs gaining Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jake McCabe are massive upgrades for the Leafs defensive groupings against an offensively talented Ottawa Senators team that can play physical.

Having two defenders who can both shut down and contain Ottawa's offense and match up their physical intensity, it will be a big positive for Toronto.

Ekman-Larsson will be on the Leafs third pairing on the right side alongside Simon Benoit, with McCabe on the top grouping beside Chris Tanev. Morgan Rielly and Brandon Carlo make up the team's second pair.

Toronto could also have additional defensive help with the fact that Jani Hakanpaa, who has not played since November, is skating with the team.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to need to block out Ottawa's offense. Toronto went winless in three matches against the Senators in the regular season.

Toronto has the playoff advantage of nine consecutive appearances, although having not gone further than round two, done just once.

Meanwhile, Ottawa has not made the playoffs since 2017, where they made the conference finals.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, having a full roster of their best talent is not only important to defeat a strong Senators team, it's necessary to go all the way.