The Toronto Maple Leafs are poised to welcome back defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson just in time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as confirmed by coach Craig Berube. The 33-year-old defenseman has been sidelined since suffering an upper-body injury during a recent match against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he fell awkwardly on a breakaway. As the Maple Leafs conclude their regular season, they hold a crucial four-point lead over the Lightning in the Atlantic Division, with playoff matches set to commence soon.

Ekman-Larsson, in his debut season with Toronto, has recorded impressive stats, including four goals, 25 assists, and a plus-14 rating across 77 games. Should he miss any crucial games, Berube remains confident in the team's depth, stating that other players will need to step up as they prepare to face either the Ottawa Senators or the Florida Panthers in the first round. Meanwhile, Jake McCabe continues to be absent due to a separate upper-body injury, raising concerns regarding his potential availability for the playoffs.