Important update regarding Timothy Liljegren after injury scare

Liljegren cleared the puck and braced for the hit, but it was unfortunately not enough and left him labouring and favouring his shoulder as he made his way to the bench. Liljegren did not return for the rest of the game and Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe was unsure of the severity of the injury following the game. Keefe was only able to say that Liljegren would undergo further testing once the team returned to Toronto.

It appears that further testing did not show any significant damage or injury to Liljegren's shoulder as the 24-year-old took to the ice for practice this morning and skated alongside Mark Giordano on the second pairing. Given the fact that he is back with Giordano, it bodes well that he will be in the lineup tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Kings as the Leafs return home following a 3-1-1 road trip.

Had the injury to Liljegren been substantial, the Leafs would have been without Jake McCabe and Liljegren for tomorrow's game. It would have also forced the Leafs to either send Pontus Holmberg down to the Marlies to be able to call up an additional defenseman or play short a player for a game before being eligible for an emergency recall.

The Leafs are hoping that Liljegren would take another step forward in his development this season and have given him the opportunity in a top-four role. So far, he has just one assist through 8 games, but has been pretty good defensively while averaging just over 19 minutes per game.