The Maple Leafs have four games in the next six nights, against the Panthers, Lightning, Canadiens, and Hurricanes.
Mar 27, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs players celebrate a game-tying goal by right wing William Nylander (88) against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to get as much rest as possible before the playoffs begin.
After having the day off on Sunday, the team opted for an optional practice on Monday. Several players got onto the ice and worked with Toronto's development staff, including injured players David Kampf and Jake McCabe.
The two won't be available for the pair of games in Florida. Kampf and McCabe's status beyond the back-to-back games is undetermined.
Having an optional skate allowed players to either step on the ice and feel the puck for a bit or remain off the ice and get some rest. It was a chance for the team to get a reset before entering the final stretch of their schedule.
"We got two sets of back-to-backs coming up here, starting tonight, and one on the weekend, so it’s a lot of hockey," Maple Leafs head coach Berube said. "Rest is important, and that’s one way we could do it."
One player, however, who is usually on the ice for long stretches after practices but wasn't skating on Monday, was John Tavares.
He took advantage of the day off to work on areas of his game away from the ice.
"I think you look at the big picture and the small picture, and you try to balance both," Tavares said on Tuesday, ahead of their game against the Florida Panthers.
"No doubt with the travel coming here, the back-to-back games we have in front of us, and then what’s coming on the weekend, and too, the last week next week, I felt personally it was just a good time to take the extra day, do some things off the ice."
Toronto has six games remaining in the regular season. Four matchups are on the first or second half of a back-to-back, and five of the six teams are divisional opponents. The playoffs begin on April 19, and their first-round opponent is still in the balance.
These final games are crucial for deciding who they get in the opening round and whether they secure home-ice advantage.
If the post-season began today, Toronto would play the Ottawa Senators in the first round. However, they're two points back from the Panthers for third in the Atlantic division. As of now, whoever finishes in the first wild-card spot faces the Maple Leafs.
"I think we've been playing meaningful games for quite some time now," Berube added. "Going into tonight, it's another meaningful game, and the next day. Those are important, in my opinion, going into the playoffs."
-1744683805-q80.webp "Alex Cora had unusual reaction to Red Sox pitcher losing no-hitter")
