Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander, who has been dealing with an undisclosed condition, participated fully in practice and is poised to play in Game 4 against the Boston Bruins in Toronto at 8 p.m. ET. Head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that Nylander looked great on the ice and would make a decision on his status closer to the game. Nylander also scored on goalies Samsonov and Woll during practice. Additionally, defenseman TJ Brodie is expected to make his series debut, replacing Timothy Liljegren, who is not fully healthy. The Leafs are making adjustments to their lineup, with Connor Dewar likely sitting out and Nicholas Robertson remaining in, as the team prepares for the crucial playoff game.
Keefe on Brodie in, Liljegren out: "It's part of the game-time decision situation ... I haven't liked that pair (Edmundson/Liljegren) as much. That pair hasn’t played to the level of the others. That's part of it. The other part of it is Lilly is not 100% healthy." #Leafs
The @MapleLeafs aim to tie their First Round series for the second while the @NHLBruins look to win consecutive games on the road. #NHLStats #StanleyCup 📺: 8 p.m. ET on @TBSNetwork, @SportsonMax, @Sportsnet, @TVASports, CBC https://t.co/AgefTvkW2q
Keefe: "We're preparing for Willie to play at this point." On keeping Robertson in, scratching Dewar: "I need Nick to be himself. There’s a reason why he's remaining in. We think he can provide us offence ... Not an easy decision, because Dewar has done a tremendous job." #Leafs
TJ Brodie expected to make his series debut in Game 4. Timothy Liljegren likely to come out. Keefe on Edmundson / Liljegren pair, “We haven’t liked that pair as much.” Ilya Lyubushkin will play after flying to California and back for birth of daughter. #LeafsForever
Keefe: Leafs 'preparing' for Nylander to play in Game 4. https://t.co/NkTgCtl290 https://t.co/yKYdPdxTeX
Sheldon Keefe, “We are preparing for Willy (Nylander) to play at this point.” Connor Dewar expected to come out. Keefe called that a “tough decision,” but opting to keep Nicholas Robertson in because he feels Robertson can add offence and “goals have been hard to come by.”
Per Sheldon Keefe, the Leafs are preparing for William Nylander to play tonight vs. BOS.
Maple Leafs preparing for Nylander to play. Some game-time decisions, but Robertson moves to fourth line, Dewar sits. Brodie looks to take Liljegren’s spot on third pair. Keefe hasn’t liked that pair, plus Liljegren is not 100 percent healthy.
Sheldon Keefe said #Leafs are “preparing for Willy to play at this point.” Some other game-time decision stuff but TJ Brodie also preparing to play.
Nick Robertson, who was a bit late getting to the ice for the optional skate, said he was just leaving a meeting about his line tonight with Kampf and Reaves. A strong indication that the #Leafs are preparing for Nylander’s return tonight.
It looks like TJ Brodie will replace Timothy Liljegren on the Leafs defence in Game 4. Connor Dewar looks like the odd man out up front, assuming William Nylander returns to the lineup. Nick Robertson keeps his spot from the looks of it.
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Set for Game 4. 📍 Toronto 🕰️ 8 p.m. ET 🆚 @MapleLeafs 📺 @NESN, TBS, truTV 📻 @985TheSportsHub 📰 https://t.co/2KWTUqXICl https://t.co/Kz1keDTNFT
William Nylander met with the media after Leafs practice on Friday. @reporterchris & @markhmasters with the latest on his status, Auston Matthews’ absence from the skate and the chances TJ Brodie makes his return to the lineup on Saturday: https://t.co/59iwWKTw4O https://t.co/ubL9wssNFL
"He looked great to me" William Nylander isn't officially in (yet) for the #Leafs in Game 4 vs. Boston - but after a seemingly successful practice day on Friday there's a good chance: https://t.co/p5asvGUpE6
No confirmation yet, but signs point to Maple Leafs' Nylander playing in Game 4 https://t.co/EVb5BL9Sa9 https://t.co/cpjTTdrGa0
ALL IN - It was business as usual for William Nylander as he took in Leafs practice as a full participant and @markhmasters breaks down who he was skating with and the possibility that defenceman TJ Brodie sees his first action: https://t.co/Z7ZDGhxJjt https://t.co/ZOvZt6MxWk
Nylander practices in full #LeafsForever , questionable for Game 4 “I don’t know. We’ll see. I felt good. I’ve been skating basically four or five days, I feel pretty good.” My @NHLdotcom story: #NHL https://t.co/VEyOjYmLGf
William Nylander was a full participant in practice this morning. 👀 https://t.co/P3dX8NvDcv
Keefe re: Nylander: "Looked great to me on the ice. In terms of his status, we'll have to determine that tomorrow.
Keefe on Nylander: "Looked great to me on the ice. In terms of his status, we’ll have to determine that tomorrow." #Leafs
Keefe said the Leafs will make a call on Nylander tomorrow (all signs point to yes). Daddy Lyubushkin is already en route back to Toronto from California and will be available to play. Pencil in Brodie for his series debut. Matthews getting his energy back after illness.
William Nylander, speaking to the media today following practice, asked what will be the biggest challenge for him if he’s back in tomorrow? “Nothing” Why is that? “Because I’ve been skating and everything..”
Nylander refused to confirm what has been ailing him but said he is feeling pretty good after a full practice. Points out he’s been skating for four or five days and that the toughest part about jumping back in is “nothing”. #LeafsForever @NHLdotcom
William Nylander a full participant today on line with Calle Jarnkork and Pontus Holmberg, plus top power-play unit. Scores on Samsonov and Woll. Looks like a man ready to play a hockey game.
Nylander at LW on line with Holmberg and Jarnkrok at practice #LeafsForever
Of note from Leafs practice: •Nylander on a line with Holmberg and Järnkrok •Brodie looks like he’ll make his series debut in Game 4 with Edmundson •Robertson looks like he’ll remain in the lineup •Maintenance day for Matthews
Game 5 between the #Leafs and Bruins on Tuesday in Boston will be at 7 p.m., NHL announces
Keefe declined to confirm Nylander migraine report, but added: "We've been working with Willy to give him the time that he needs to be ready to play and the medical team works with him on a daily basis to see where he's at. ⤵️ https://t.co/0lyvKLVxjx https://t.co/0lyvKLVxjx