'I Was A Bit Surprised, But It Is What It Is': Maple Leafs Defenseman Timothy Liljegren Returns Against Bruins After Game 4 Scratch
BOSTON — Timothy Liljegren is expected to draw back into the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup when the club visits the Boston Bruins for a must-win Game 5 at TD Garden on Tuesday.
Liljegren was scratched during Toronto's 3-1 loss to the Bruins in Game 4. When discussing why the defenseman was taken out of the lineup, head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that the defenseman was "not 100 percent healthy".
When speaking to reporters on Tuesday, that appeared to come as a bit of a surprise to the young Swede.
"I don't know, I feel good," Liljegren said. "I was a bit surprised (to come out) but it is what it is."
Liljegren had a particularly rough game 3 against the Bruins where he was on the ice for both of Boston's even-strength goals against, including the game-winning goal from Brad Marchand.
Liljegren's 33 percent expected-goals rating at 5-on-5 in ranks lowest among all Leafs in the series, per NaturalStatTrick.com
Leafs 5-on-5 stats in series against Bruins, Per NaturalStatTrick.com
TJ Brodie, who drew in for Liljegren in Game 4 is expected to be scratched again as the Leafs look to keep their season alive. The Bruins lead the best-of-seven first-round series 3-1 and have a chance to close things out in their home building.
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