The Maple Leafs held an optional skate on Friday before having a full practice on Saturday. May 21, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving listens to a question during a media conference to introduce new head coach Craig Berube (right) at Ford Performance Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ab7eb69f-d9bb-40de-86c0-ab610f5359aa.jpeg] May 21, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving listens to a question during a media conference to introduce new head coach Craig Berube (right) at Ford Performance Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering the playoffs differently than in years past. Nine wins in their last 10 games, two goaltenders who've put up strong numbers in the final stretch of the season, and a team that's playing with a fresh outlook. Toronto closed the regular season with a 4-3 overtime win on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Just over 12 hours removed from the game, the team held an optional skate, with injured players David Kampf, Max Pacioretty, Jake McCabe, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa participating. Only Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving spoke on Friday, with time ticking down before their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators. When asked if any of the team's injured players would return for Game 1 against Ottawa, Treliving said: "We'll see come Sunday." Also on the ice was Ryan Reaves, who returned from a stint with the Marlies. He's been with the AHL squad since Mar. 7 and played three games, scoring one goal in that span. Max Domi, Philippe Myers, and Dakota Mermis, all of whom played the night prior, were the other three skaters on the ice for the optional. Anthony Stolarz, who's put up eight straight wins and three shutouts, did solo work on a separate rink. Toronto will finish Friday with meetings to prepare for the Senators before assembling again on Saturday for a full skate and more review ahead of the Battle of Ontario. The expectation is that a clearer picture of the Maple Leafs' Game 1 lineup will come then. But for now, Toronto, and Treliving, aren't looking too far ahead into the future. "We're going to worry about Sunday. We're all starting at the same starting line here. We've got a very difficult opponent, and every team is good going into the playoffs," the GM said when questioned on his team's playoff expectations. "We've got a big challenge ahead of us, and our focus is Sunday and getting off to a start on Sunday. And like I said, you can have highs and lows in a series, it's just being steady at the wheel, managing the momentum both ways, and get ready to get going." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwytvfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
