Ahead, Leafs and Raptors will have full capacity.

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The Maple Leafs’ first full season from 2018-19 will include a full house at Scotiabank Arena.

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An Ontario government announcement on Friday, lifting the remaining COVID-19 restrictions at major sports venues and a wide range of entertainment venues such as concerts and movie theaters, means Scotiabank Arena may move toward its approximate 19,000 limit for hockey.

The Leafs have their final exhibition game on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, but all force could be in place for the start of Wednesday’s regular season of the 82-game schedule against the Montreal Canadiens.

The preseason crowds had been limited to 9,500, though fans will still have to show proof of double vaccination to enter. Masking and physical distancing are also required, but the latter will be difficult if the house is full.

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“Throughout the process of reopening our venues to fans, which included working closely with the province for many months, health and safety has been our top shared priority,” said Michael Friisdahl, President and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, in a launch. “We are delighted to see this day come when we can welcome a full venue to cheer on the Leafs and Raptors. We are grateful to all levels of government for their partnership in this process and we recognize that there will continue to be much work to do together to ensure the safest possible environment for all attendees of the event and our community. “

NO HURRY FOR AUSTON

Head coach Sheldon Keefe is already calling Auston Matthews “day to day” for the next week as he approaches the Montreal game. Matthews will definitely not be playing on Saturday as every precaution is taken with his surgically repaired wrist, despite what appears to be a full range in shooting and passing in recent days.

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“It’s a combination of allowing him to build up a little bit to the point where he can come in and play against a hostile opponent,” Keefe said Friday. “He’s competing really hard in our practices and the guys are fighting him, but it’s not the same.

“The other part is that a lot of our guys have been in (full contact) for a few weeks now and so have the opponents. So we can give him a little more time to catch up. “

ROOTING FOR RUBIES

Kristians Rubins, the 6-foot-5 defender who now plays for the Marlies, was designated as one of Latvia’s first three players on their Olympic team on Friday. Joins Zemgus Girgensons (Buffalo) and Rudolfs Balcers (San Jose). The Rubins who stay at home have 85 games of AHL experience.

“Fantastic recognition for him, he’s worked really hard and I thought he had a really good camp,” Keefe said. “His last game on Tuesday night (a win over the Canadiens), he did a good job and I know he did a good job for Latvia in the playoffs.”

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LOOSE LEAVES

Veteran winger Jason Spezza on why teams like Toronto need two established goalkeepers, in Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek: “He talks about the competitive balance of the league. You had your minor teams, expansion teams (against) teams a little more certain of a victory. You would play your reserve against them and the leader would play 65 or Marty Brodeur would play 75 or more. Those days are gone, it is very difficult every night. The team in 32nd place can beat the team in first place. That shows why you need a goalkeeper to stay cool and not ride a guy too long. ”… Alex Steeves, the Notre Dame free agent forward who had such a good rookie development camp before injuring his shoulder, has resumed practice with the Marlies. The farm team opens its exhibition schedule Saturday at Laval … Wednesday will mark the first time since 1964 that Toronto has started the year against its most recent opponent in the spring playoffs. After beating Detroit for the Stanley Cup that year, the Leafs led the Wings 5-3 at the Olympia to open the 1964-65 schedule.

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