To Berube’s point: The Senators ranked third in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in hits per 60 minutes (42.23). The team that was first? The Panthers (43.40).

The Maple Leafs are 12th (32.03) after defeating the Senators in the first round in six games.

Those numbers notwithstanding, Toronto goalie Anthony Stolarz, who backed up Sergei Bobrovsky during Florida’s run to the Stanley Cup last season, thinks the Panthers’ sandpaper style extends beyond anything you’ll find on a stats page.

“Ottawa’s kind of a good little jumpstart for us to lead into Florida,” Stolarz said. “They play a little similar system — that tough, rugged style — so I think going forward, it was nice to get a little bit of a warmup in.

“Now we’re going to have to go out there, and they’re the king of the castle that won the Stanley Cup last year, so we’re going to want to go out there and work hard and battle.”

Berube feels a key to success will be how the Maple Leafs deal with the Panthers’ swarming forecheck. Tkachuk, Bennett and Marchand, in particular, are extremely potent on bearing down on defensemen quickly, using their physicality to win puck battles, then heading toward the front of the net to create havoc for the goalie.

Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly is aware of Florida’s game plan, having experienced it firsthand when the Panthers eliminated Toronto in five games in the 2023 second round.

“I think you have to be prepared,” Rielly said. “You can’t be taken by surprise by anything. You just have to be ready to go.

“I think that two years ago it felt like, just like that, right when the series starts, it can get away from you. All of a sudden, you’re down 2-0. Then you go into Florida, and you’re in a tough position. That’s what I remember. Both teams are motivated, and I expect it to be really competitive.”

On the topic of motivation, no one will have more than Mitch Marner. The Maple Leafs forward and wife Stephanie welcomed the birth of their first child, a boy, on Sunday, understandably causing Marner to miss practice.

Berube said Marner will be ready to go for Game 1.

“Obviously he’s in a good mood,” Berube said. “I mean, he’s probably flying high.

“I remember when I had my first child. It’s a different feeling for sure. You know, it’s one of the best feelings you could ever have, in my opinion. I’m sure he’s very excited, and he’ll be very excited [Monday] too. Get a little skate in the morning and go from there.

“There’ll be a lot of good positive things on his mind, which is good.”