Timothy Liljegren
Photo credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Latest report has Timothy Liljegren in a precarious spot for Game 4

Published April 26, 2024 at 10:14
BY MIKE ARMENTI
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Insider Darren Dreger and the TSN 1050 First Up crew believe that the Maple Leafs have a significant change coming on defense for Game 4 against the Boston Bruins.

The Leafs are down 2-1 to the Boston Bruins in their Round 1 series, but they're not out of it yet. A win on Saturday sets the Leafs up nicely against the Bruins, but knotting the series up at 2 games apiece will be no easy task.

If the Leafs make a change on defense for Game 4, who comes out of the lineup?



I don't think there's any question that the defense and the goaltending has been an issue for the Leafs through the first 3 games, even with a stellar outing from Ilya Samsonov in Game 2. TSN's Darren Dreger thinks we could see a change on the blueline for Game 4, and believes that Timothy Liljegren may be the odd man out.


"Look, [Brodie] has got the playoff experience. Did we really think that T.J. Brodie was being exiled to the press box and was never going to resurface? No, of course not, right? He's a capable defenseman and, historically, [he] has been good. Maybe there have been stretches this year where he hasn't been so good... I definitely - now that we talk about it - I could see that happening because Liljegren has been a bit sketchy for me to this point."
-Dreger on the Leafs' defense situation

Dreger also mentioned that it may not be Brodie coming in, but that veteran blueliner Mark Giordano could be an equally good option for the Leafs in a physical series against Boston.

Liljegren is a -2 in the series so far and has not even taken a single shot on goal for the Leafs in any of the first 3 games of the series. Granted, you're not looking for a lot of goals from your blueline, but you'd certainly hope that players would elevate their game in the postseason and contribute with the odd goal, assist or even just a shot on goal in such an important series.
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April 26   |   397 answers
Latest report has Timothy Liljegren in a precarious spot for Game 4

If Timothy Liljegren comes out of the lineup, who should come in for him?

Mark Giordano20451.4 %
T.J. Brodie10325.9 %
Conor Timmins7318.4 %
Other174.3 %
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