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Leafs practice notes: Berube indicates Laughton is all good after key shot block, Rielly, Tanev at optional
Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Game 1 of the second-round series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers is now officially scheduled for Monday night. Toronto held an optional practice Saturday, after eliminating the Ottawa Senators in six games.

Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev, Calle Jarnkrok, Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson, Pontus Holmberg, Simon Benoit, Brandon Carlo and Steven Lorentz were among the players participating in the skate, via Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun.

Scott Laughton did not attend the optional skate. Laughton blocked a shot at the end of Game 6 and appeared to be in some pain, as William Nylander scooped the puck off the ricochet and notched an empty-net goal to seal the 4-2 victory.

“He’s all good. That’s the type of thing you need in the playoffs, putting his body on the line. That’s what you need,” Berube said of Laughton via Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.

Laughton was a key part of Toronto’s fourth line throughout the first round, centring Steven Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok. Toronto is expected to keep this line intact, while Matthew Knies, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are cemented as the top line. Berube experimented throughout the Battle of Ontario and elevated Max Pacioretty to the second line, alongside John Tavares and William Nylander. Although Berube continued to tinker with his combos, his decision to keep Pacioretty ultimately paid off, as the 36-year-old notched the game-winning goal in Game 6.

Anthony Stolarz is widely expected to start the second round for the Maple Leafs. Stolarz started all six games during the first round, posting a 2.01 goals against average and .901 save percentage, while saving 3.1 goals above expected at 5-on-5 via MoneyPuck.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Panthers

Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner

Max Pacioretty-John Tavares-William Nylander

Bobby McMann-Pontus Holmberg-Max Domi

Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok

Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev

Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo

Simon Benoit-Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Anthony Stolarz

Joseph Woll

This article first appeared on TheLeafsnation and was syndicated with permission.

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