Maple Leafs Scratching 2 Veterans Ahead of Game 1 of Stanley Cup Playoffs

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube isn't making any changes to his current lineup ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators. The Leafs were 13-2-1 down the stretch, and even though both David Kampf and Max Pacioretty are ready to return to the lineup, Berube doesn't want to take anyone out right now, stating the team has earned the right to stay together.

Craig Berube confirms Max Pacioretty & David Kampf are available to play, but he's sticking with the same skaters that ended the season

"They earned it"

Leafs finished on 13-2-1 run to win the Atlantic Division @TSN_Sports
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 19, 2025

Pacioretty has 50 points in 78 career playoff games, but he's been in and out of the lineup all season long due to injuries. The 36-year-old dressed in just 37 games this season for the Maple Leafs, scoring five goals and 13 points. Many felt Nick Robertson would be the likely scratch and Pacioretty inserted, but Berube feels Robertson has earned to start the playoffs, especially with the work ethic he's been playing with lately.

Craig Berube on Nick Robertson earning his spot in playoff lineup:

"Obviously he scored some goals. But, you know, it's his work ethic and his competitiveness that really stuck out to me."https://t.co/uVkrwdhAZj
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 20, 2025

Kampf also sits, as the defensive-minded centre is now playing behind both Pontus Holmberg and Scott Laughton. Kampf has dressed in 59 games this season, recording 14 points, and he's normally a big part of the Leafs' penalty kill unit. Which means, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are both going to be playing major minutes on both sides of special teams.

The Battle of Ontario kicks off on Sunday night with Game 1, as the Senators have owned the Maple Leafs this season, winning all three contests.

Leafs lines at practice

Knies - Matthews - Marner
Domi - Tavares - Nylander
McMann - Holmberg - Robertson
Lorentz - Laughton - Jarnkrok
Pacioretty - Kampf - Reaves

McCabe - Tanev
Rielly - Carlo
Benoit - Ekman-Larsson
Mermis - Myers

Stolarz
Woll @TSN_Sports
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 19, 2025