The Toronto Maple Leafs have gone a perfect 5-0-0 since Morgan Rielly's suspension.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have gone a perfect 5-0-0 since Morgan Rielly's suspension.
LAS VEGAS — Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly will return from a five-game suspension when the club takes on the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday.
The defenseman had to sit out after cross-checking Ridley Greig in the face, shortly after the Ottawa Senators forward fired a slapshot into an empty net.
Rielly spoke to the media on Wednesday and didn't try to justify his actions, but Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe feels that moment of disrespect displayed from Ridly's act has become a turning point in the season, one that's allowed the club to ride their longest winning streak of the season.
"Morgan, in essence, defending the pride of the group and the pride of the logo and all those kind of things. This team means so much to Morgan Rielly and in that moment he shows you how much he cares about our team and what we’re doing," Keefe said.
Before that night when the Maple Leafs fell to the Senators 5-3, defending leads and closing out games had been a real issue for the club. Granted, the level of competition the Leafs have seen in Rielly's absence has been favourable (two games against wild car teams and three games against teams outside of the playoff picture), but the Leafs have played smart and disciplined hockey.
"I thought it was a real wake-up call to our team to get real serious about winning and taking care of games and rallying around the moment," Keefe added. "The guys, to me, have very much done that and there’s a good chance to build upon that by welcoming Morgan back."
Keeping TJ Brodie and Timothy Liljegren together?
In Rielly's absence, a pair of Maple Leafs defensemen who have struggled all season long have hit their stride. Although Rielly has skated with TJ Brodie all season long, it might be time to try a different mix as Brodie and Timothy Liljegren pushed the pace of play with seven goals scored and zero allowed at 5-on-5 while the pair have been on the ice together.
While the defense pair of Jake McCabe and Simon Benoit has performed well, it might be time to try McCabe on the right side of Rielly to keep Brodie and Liljegren together.
Rifai or Lajoie out? Or Lagesson in?
With Rielly's return one or both of Marshall Rifai and Max Lajoie may come out of the lineup. William Lagesson skated with the group on Wednesday during the team's morning skate and has been out with an injury but could be nearing a return.
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