Phil Kessel did not take the ice Friday as the Maple Leafspractised before heading to Ottawa to face the Senators on Saturday, but head coach Randy Carlyle said it was just a “maintenance day” for the team’s top scorer, who should be in the lineup tomorrow night.

“Phil’s got various aches and pains,” Carlyle said after practice. “Again, as long as he can play tomorrow night, that’s the concern. We’re not worried about today’s practice as much as we’re worried about tomorrow night’s game.”

The Leafs, who snapped a five-game losing streak Thursday with an overtime victory over the Dallas Stars, play four games in the next six nights amid one of their toughest stretches of the season.

Kessel played Thursday, but there have been rumours he is dealing with a right wrist injury.

Marlies call-up Jerry D’Amigo took Kessel’s place on the first line in practice alongside James van Riemsdyk and Nazem Kadri.

On the slightly brighter side for the hobbled Leafs — who are already dealing with injuries to centreman David Bolland (ankle laceration) and Tyler Bozak (oblique) — Joffrey Lupul, who has been out with a groin injury, did take the ice, skating on the fourth line with Frazer McLaren and Peter Holland.

But Carlyle sounded doubtful — and a little perturbed, to boot — that Lupul would return on the weekend.

“He looks great skating, but again it’s up to the player. We can take him with our medical people (only) so far, but then the player has to make the decision that he’s ready to play.”

After facing the Senators in Ottawa on Saturday the Leafs will travel home to take on another division rival in the Boston Bruins on Sunday night at the Air Canada Centre.

Here’s how the Leafs lined up in practice:

Kadri – van Riemsdyk – D’Amigo

Smith – Clarkson – Raymond

McClement – Kulemin – Ashton

Holland – Lupul – McLaren

Phaneuf – Gunnarsson

Franson – Gardiner

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Liles – Fraser

Rielly – Ranger

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