Maple Leafs Receive Positive News Ahead of Game 5 Against Senators

As the team heads back home to take on the Senators in Game 5, the Leafs are going to need everyone at their best and it's time for the likes of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner to step up and come through during an elimination game and finally put the series to bed.

But what of John Tavares? Sure, he made the return during OT but there were still some serious concerns he's dealing with an injury and just managed to tough it out for the sake of the team.

However, it seems that the Maple Leafs avoided disaster, as Tavares was seen getting ready to head to practice, alongside veteran forward Max Pacioretty.

It's a massive boost for the team who desperately could use Tavares' power play productivity; something that was sorely missing during their double minor advantage during OT.

He was a big factor into why Toronto made it into OT in the first place, and solar in the playoffs he's continued just as he left off in the regular season. Five points in four games (3G, 2A) echoes his 74-point outburst this season, and he's been a defensive master, not afraid to put his 34-year old body on the line.

They're going to need him too. Toronto's felt a lack of scoring so far from Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, who only have one goal apiece. While it's been great that some of the other players have picked up the slack; they still are struggling to score.

So the loss of Tavares potentially could have been catastrophic for the team, but it looks like things are trending in the right direction. Auston Matthews was also absent from practice but it's a rest day for him, as Craig Berube tries to manage his team's excessive workload after three straight OT games.

Good thing the team doesn't play until Tuesday, they seem like they could use a bit of a break, but for Tavares it looks like the work doesn't stop no matter how tired he may be.