Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe didn't confirm whether Brodie would come into the lineup for Game 4, but the pairings at practice on Friday suggest he will.
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe didn't confirm whether Brodie would come into the lineup for Game 4, but the pairings at practice on Friday suggest he will.
TJ Brodie will make his 2024 playoff debut Saturday night for Game 4 of the Maple Leafs' series against the Boston Bruins.
The 33-year-old defenseman skated with Joel Edmundson on Toronto's third pairing at practice on Friday afternoon, and following the skate, although Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe didn't confirm that Brodie would play, he's urged the defenseman to stay ready.
"I had talked to [Brodie] even while the regular season was going on that it's important for him to stay ready and that it was looking like he was going to be on the outside but he's got lots of experience and we wanted to have a look going into the playoffs and one that we've liked but it's important for him to stay ready, not just him but Timmins/Giordano just the same," Keefe said following practice on Friday.
"Things can change really quickly come playoff time. But in Brodie's case, he played so much in the regular season, he's got so much experience in the league and in the playoffs it's important that he keeps his mindset right but it's tough for a guy like him for sure that's used to playing every day."
Brodie was asked how things were going on Friday, given he's been a healthy scratch during the first three games of this series, and has had to watch it from the press box.
"It is what it is," he said, "I try to stay ready and that's all you can do."
Timothy Liljegren was on the top pairing with Morgan Rielly at practice, however, it was likely only because Ilya Lyubushkin flew back to California to be with his wife, Diana, as they welcomed their third child. Lyubushkin is en route back to Toronto after the family had their first daughter on Thursday.
Keefe added that Lyubushkin remains an option for Game 4 against the Bruins on Saturday night.
"Yeah, he's on his way back here. So we'll first make sure he gets back and see how he's feeling tomorrow and make a determination from there after a tough couple of days but exciting at the same time," the head coach said.
"I know from his perspective that's been understandably on his mind while his family has been away and welcoming a new addition and have it go seemingly smooth considering this gap in the schedule. We'll have to get him back and make sure he's ready to go."
Liljegren being a placeholder and not on Toronto's second power play unit on Friday suggests he could be a healthy scratch for Game 4 vs. Boston. The 24-year-old has had a 33.17 xGF% at five-on-five throughout the first three games of the series, which is the lowest among Maple Leafs defensemen, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.
If this is the case come Saturday, it'll be the second time Brodie has played on a pair with Edmundson since the defenseman arrived from the Washington Capitals in early March.
"He's solid back there. He's a big body, physical," Brodie said of Edmundson on Friday
Whether Brodie plays in Game 4 or not, the veteran defenseman understands he needs to be ready whenever the opportunity comes.
"You can't do anything about it. You just put the work in and make sure that if something happens I'm ready to go."
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