Toronto Maple Leafs Unexpectedly Call Up Ryan Reaves Ahead of Battle of Ontario Series

The Toronto Maple Leafs held an optional skate Friday morning prior to playing the Ottawa Senators in their first-round playoff series, with a few hurt players dressing and nearing a return.

Forwards David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, and Max Pacioretty participated, along with defencemen Jake McCabe, Jani Hakanpaa, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

McCabe and Ekman-Larsson, both with upper-body injuries, should both be well enough to dress for Sunday's Game 1. McCabe has not been on the ice since April 2, and Ekman-Larsson was hurt last week while playing Tampa Bay.

Kampf, too, who has been out since April 2, is struggling with the same problem. Craig Berube, the head coach, said Thursday that he's "fairly confident" McCabe, Ekman-Larsson, and Kampf will be ready.

McCabe, 31, tallied two goals and 23 points in 66 games this season, team leader in average ice time at 21:30. Ekman-Larsson, 33, had four goals and 29 points in 77 games, third among Leafs defence in ice time (21:04), behind Morgan Rielly.

Reaves, 38, came back to the team after spending time with the AHL Toronto Marlies. Waived in early March, he posted two assists during 39 games in the NHL this season and one point during five games in last season's playoffs.

The Leafs come into the playoffs in fine shape, just having completed a five-game winning streak and winning 13 of their past 16 games.

But they will have to overcome past difficulties against the Senators, losing all five of their previous games against them.