Oliver Ekman-Larsson smiled and politely dodged the question. Chris Tanev inferred his fellow Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman would be back.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is expected to be ready for the playoffs, head coach Craig Berube said on Tuesday. Ekman-Larsson, 33, hasn't played since sustaining an upper-body injury while falling awkwardly on a breakaway in a 4-3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning last Wednesday.

Larsson, 33, a veteran free-agent signing from the Florida Panthers this past offseason, is expected to be ready for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, coach Craig Berube told reporters Tuesday.