'Brodes Hasn't Been At His Best This Season': Why TJ Brodie Will Be A Healthy Scratch for the First Time as a Member of the Maple Leafs
Brodie will sit and Conor Timmins will get back into the lineup against the Washington Capitals.
WASHINGTON — For the very first time in his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, TJ Brodie will be a healthy scratch.
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed that the 33-year-old will rest when Toronto visits the Washington Capitals on Wednesday at Capital One Arena."
"I just think it's an opportunity for us to give him a little bit of time off, lighten the workload a bit here," Keefe explained of the move. "Brodes hasn't been at his best this season here for most of the season."
In the final year of a four-year, $20 million contract with the Maple Leafs, the veteran defenseman has seen his numbers decline. A typically reliable defender for Toronto throughout his tenure, Brodie has had a decline in his game that has been reflected in his underlying possession numbers which have fallen below 50 percent in many key areas.
Having the ability to play on right defense, Brodie hasn't been as reliable on that side with Keefe electing in most cases to play Brodie on his stronger left side. However, with Ilya Lyubushkin out with an illness, that option is not available due to a lack of players who can play on the right side.
Right-handed Conor Timmins will come into the lineup in Brodie's place. Timmins hasn't played since Jan. 24. He had just recovered from a bout with mononucleosis.
"He's taken on a lot for us and we've been through a lot with our defense in particular throughout the season and he's been consistent taking on the hardest matchups every night," Keefe said of Brodie. "It's been a lot so it gives us a chance to give him a night off and getting Timmins back involved is important for us."
Brodie has no goals and 18 assists in 66 games this season.
Reaves out with eye injury
Ryan Reaves will sit out after sustaining an eye injury in his fight with Philadelphia Flyers forward Nicolas Deslauriers. Reaves got a finger in the eye and it's bit irritated so Noah Gregor will come into the lineup in his place.
Joseph Woll in goal, why he didn't back up against Flyers.
The Maple Leafs kept Woll out of the lineup entire during the Maple Leafs' 4-3 loss to the Flyers on Tuesday and had Martin Jones back up Ilya Samsonov.
"It was just simply to ensure that nothing that happened last night could effect his start today whether it was injury or performance," Keefe explained.
It is Woll's first start since in nearly two weeks. He made 21 saves on 25 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on March 7.
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