Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson will play Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. Ekman-Larsson suffered a lower-body injury against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday and did not return to the contest.

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube indicated Friday that Ekman-Larsson would have to skate Saturday, before he declared him ready to go.

“Good news. We weren’t sure yesterday, but he feels ready and he’s good to go,” Berube said Saturday morning.

“It was kind of a freak thing out there. I got lucky. A guy fell on my left leg,” Ekman-Larsson said. “It happened so quick, the guy fell, he didn’t mean to do that. I was lucky to get out of it pretty quickly. It’s crazy how much can change in a day, or a day and a half.”

William Nylander and Dakota Joshua both did not participate in Saturday’s morning skate due to illness. Nylander and Joshua are both considered game-time decisions. Matias Maccelli skated in Joshua’s place on the third line alongside Nicolas Roy and Bobby McMann during Saturday’s morning skate, while Nick Robertson was placed with Easton Cowan and John Tavares.

If Nylander and Joshua are available to play, it appears that Maccelli and one of Robertson or Calle Jarnkrok will be listed as healthy scratches. Berube said he has a contingency plan ready, but did not go into specifics.

There’s natural curiosity from both sides, and Troy Stecher was a major focus on Saturday morning. Stecher was claimed off waivers from the Oilers on November 15 and has been an immediate upgrade for the Maple Leafs’ blue line. The 31-year-old has excelled, primarily paired with Jake McCabe, adding a goal and four points in 11 games with the Maple Leafs.

“Great teammate. That’s the biggest thing. An unbelievable teammate. Great defenceman, and I’m happy to see him in such a big role. He’s playing good,” McDavid said of Stecher, following Saturday’s morning skate.