Playoff Concerns Grow as Three Key Leafs Players Miss Morning Skate Before Sabres Game
Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
It could be a bad sign going into the first round of the playoffs as Toronto is still without three key players as they head into their penultimate game vs. Buffalo.
The Maple Leafs are looking to lock up the Atlantic Division on Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres as the team will look to not only stamp their name on the division title, but look to ride a huge wave of momentum going into the playoffs.
They are going to need as much firepower as possible and there are several questions still needing to be answered such as who is going to to start in Game One and what players are best suited for the lineup.
However, there are still three members of the roster who are dealing with some injuries and while their spot in the lineup isn't really in jeopardy, their constant absences are beginning to grow concerning.
The trio of Jake McCabe, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and David Kampf were all missing again from Toronto's practice on Tuesday, and with no definitive timeline for their return, it's really starting to put that Game One status into question.
It's a really unfortunate bit of news considering how vital these players are to the team and are a big reason why they've been this successful in the first place.
McCabe is the biggest absence undeniably. Part of the team's best defensive duo with Chris Tanev, losing him in the playoffs would almost certainly spell disaster for the Leafs.
He's transformed himself into an elite shutdown defender and isn't afraid to put his body on the line regardless of situation. He's depended upon in every high pressure situation and those critical crunch-time minutes get even tougher without him.
In 66 games, McCabe has registered 23 points (2G, 21A) along with 135 blocks, 118 hits, and a plus-23 rating; he signed a four-year extension earlier this season.
Ekman-Larsson was absent from practice last week, and with no idea about what he's really suffering from, we can only hope it's just resting up for the playoffs. While not as impactful as McCabe, he's been very solid in his first year with the team.
Signing a four-year deal this past offseason, Ekman-Larsson has 29 points (4G, 25A) in 76 games, along with 108 hits, 83 blocks, and a plus-14 rating.
Ekman-Larsson's absence leaves a big hole in the Top 4 and while Toronto does have some decent pieces to replace him, he's still that savvy veteran who can make a difference when it matters most.
Craig Berube was not too hopeful though when it comes to Ekman-Larsson, and while he stayed as positive as he could, he relented he may not be available:
I expect him to; but you never know.
Kampf left the game that McCabe left as well, and his absence hurts the Maple Leafs already struggling penalty kill even more. Not an offensive monster, he holds down the fort on the fourth line and is as consistent as ever.
Already missing some time earlier this season, Kampf has skated in 59 games with 13 points (5G, 8A), 26 blocks, 50 hits, and a 51.6% face-off percentage. He's also Toronto's top penalty killing center and is often used to set the tone after Toronto scores; often right out to keep opponents flustered a bit longer.
We'll have to see if this is just a case of keeping them sidelined until the playoffs so they can be well rested, but if not; then it's going to be a hard road ahead of the Maple Leafs come April 20.