TJ Brodie and Auston Matthews were absent from the morning skate and warmup due to illness. Timothy Liljegren returned to the lineup after missing 17 games. Martin Jones was expected to start in goal for the Leafs. Ryan Reaves' injury was not as serious as initially feared. Sheldon Keefe confirmed that Liljegren would play and Brodie was a game-time decision. Auston Matthews arrived intending to play but had to go home due to illness.
Sheldon Keefe on Matthews: "He arrived intending to play. Waking up from his nap, was not feeling right and thought he could get through it. Tried to do everything he could, but his body was not cooperating. He had to go home and we had to make adjustments." #Leafs
Keefe on Matthews' illness: "He arrived intending to play. Waking up from his nap, was not feeling right and thought he could get through it. Tried to do everything he could, but his body was not cooperating. He had to go home and we had to make adjustments." #Leafs
Sheldon Keefe says Auston Matthews came to the rink today intending to play but didnโt feel right after his pre-game nap (illness). So they had to make adjustments.
GAME 29: Puck drops to start the first period between the Penguins and the Leafs. Game on! #LetsGoPens https://t.co/jLZTwxfZoe
Matthews, Brodie not on the ice for warmup. The bug continues to make its way through the #Leafs' room.
No Auston Matthews or TJ Brodie in warmup. Both are out tonight. @BodogCA
No Matthews, no TJ Brodie for Toronto...both flu
Auston Matthews NOT in warmup. TJ Brodie also out. Both due to illness. #LeafsForever @NHLdotcom
Maple Leafs defenceman TJ Brodie and forward Auston Matthews will not be available for tonightโs game due to illness.
Sounds like Auston Matthews might be out tonight with the flu that's bothering the Maple Leafs
'I feel good and I'm ready': Liljegren returns to Leafs lineup https://t.co/LEE9CoDzDL
Tmothy Liljegren returns tonight. Sheldon Keefe said "He looks like a guy who is refreshed and excited and anxious to play. To that end, he should help us, especially with his feet and the way he can skate. That has been a challenge for us, getting out of our zone." #Leafs
Timothy Liljegren is set to return tonight against the Penguins after missing 17 games. ๐ https://t.co/VcohHz307U https://t.co/8KFtooljM3
Keefe on Liljegren: "He looks like a guy who is refreshed and excited and anxious to play. To that end, he should help us, especially with his feet and the way he can skate. That has been a challenge for us, getting out of our zone, we expect him to help us there." #Leafs
Good news on Ryan Reaves from Sheldon Keefe. โI was talking with him yesterday and he was riding the bike so itโs encouraging that wayโฆ Itโs not a long term thing.โ Reaves left Thursday vs #CBJ with lower body injury. @NHLdotcom
Timothy Liljegren returns for the Leafs tonight. He missed the last 17 games with a high ankle sprain. Where he slots in will depend on whether TJ Brodie (illness) can play. If Brodie canโt go, Liljegren will line up on the Leafs top pair with Morgan Rielly.
Keefe confirms that Liljegren will return tonight and Brodie is a game-time decisions. Defense pairs may look different from how they skated this morning as a result.
Jones in goal tonight #Leafs
Keefe says Ryan Reaves injury isnโt as bad as it appeared. He will be on IR but not long term. @BodogCA
Keefe on Reaves: "Not as bad as it appeared." Will go on IR, but not longterm. Reaves was riding bike yesterday. #Leafs
Toronto: Brodie game-time (illness). Liljegren returns from injury. Martin Jones in goal. Injury to Ryan Reaves not as serious as it appeared. Likely IR, but not LTIR
Brodie (illness) game-time decision. Liljegren will play. #Leafs
Timothy Lilljgren and Matthew Knies say they expect to play tonight vs Penguins. #Leafs
Timothy Liljegren says heโs ready to go. Will return to the lineup for the first time since Nov. 2 tonight. @BodogCA
Jones first off at the morning skate #Leafs
Martin Jones comes off the ice first at morning skate. Expected to start vs Penguins. #Leafs
It looks like Martin Jones will start for the Leafs tonight.
Brodie not on the ice for the morning skate. Liljegren paired with Rielly. Holmberg in grey. Reaves, obviously, absent as well. #Leafs
Timothy Lilljgren is on the ice for #Leafs morning skate. Sheldon Keefe has said he is close but wanted him to have a full practice before returning.
TJ Brodie is not on the ice for #Leafs morning skate. Matthew Knies is on the ice.
TJ Brodie is not on the ice here for the morning skate. @BodogCA