Craig Berube doesn't mind a later start to Florida series

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The Maple Leafs can live with an extra day or two off before their next round starts.

After taking Friday off following their elimination of the Ottawa Senators, Toronto eased back to work Saturday with an optional  practice attended by nine regular skaters. Goalie Joseph Woll took some shots, while starter Anthony Stolarz only emerged from the dressing room in gym clothes to take a peek.

It was confirmed Friday the Leafs will host Game 1 against Florida at 8 p.m. Eastern on Monday. A Sunday start was a possibility, but now the series goes every other day, with the exception of two days off between Game 4 (May 11 in Sunrise) and Game 5 (May 14 in Toronto, if necessary).

“It’s good, I thought our guys could use (the longer break),” said coach Craig Berube on Saturday. “A lot of guys logged a lot of heavy minutes (against Ottawa), like every team.

“The guys should be happy we won that series, now we’ve moved on. It’s business.”

Berube is likely to stick with those who finished Game 6, such as winger Max Pacioretty who moved up the depth chart instead of getting scratched as some thought the ciach might do, and who scored the winning goal. The Leafs will have a full practice Sunday.

Stolarz will be attempting to win his first two best-of-seven playoff series as a Leaf, last accomplished by Curtis Joseph in 1999 and by just three other Toronto netminders, Frank McCool, Terry Sawchuk and Felix Potvin.

Speaking of goalies, Kay Whitmore, who played 155 NHL games and many more in the minors and juniors, will be the league series supervisor for Toronto – Florida. Former referee Dan O’Halloran handled Leafs – Senators.

Lhornby@postmedia.com

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