'Not 100 Percent Healthy': Why Timothy Liljegren Will Likely be Benched as TJ Brodie Gets Set for Maple Leafs' Series Debut Against Bruins
TJ Brodie is set to make his series debut when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Boston Bruins in Game 4 at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday.
The veteran defenseman has struggled for much of the season, but it was still a bit of a surprise when the 33-year-old was scratched to begin the postseason.
It turns out the reason for Brodie’s insertion into the series in place of Timothy Liljegren is performance-related. But some of it is health, too.
“We’ve liked our D pairs, I haven’t liked that pair as much. That pair hasn’t played to the level of the others, so that’s part of it,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said referring to Liljegren and his regular role alongside veteran Joel Edmundson. “And the other part of it is, Lilly’s not 100% healthy, either. So there’s other things that add up. And Brodie’s a player that’s healthy and rested and has a ton of experience. So you just look at all those things combined and it makes sense to make a change.”
The Maple Leafs have been rolling with three consistent defense pairs through the first three games of the playoffs. According to NaturalStatTrick.com, Liljegren and Edmundson have a 5-on-5 shots share of 42 percent and an expected-goals rating of 34 percent, far worse than the other two pairs.
Leafs defense pair minutes at 5-on-5 in series with Bruins NaturalStatTrick.com
Keefe stressed that there are still some game-time decisions that can change but Brodie’s return is essentially assured.
Speaking with The Hockey News on Friday, Brodie said he was just trying to stay ready despite being disappointed about not being in.
“It is what it is,” Brodie said.
The veteran could possibly provide some help on a PK that has allowed five goals on 10 opportunities (albeit one of those was on an empty net).
Brodie led the Leafs this season in average penalty-kill minutes per game with 2:44.
The Chatham, Ontario, native is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
The Leafs trail their best-of-seven series with the Bruins 2-1.
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