Sheldon Keefe gives cheeky response when asked about any potential roster changes for Game 3
Lineup changes, roster moves, and mind games are always at the forefront of the NHL playoffs whether you win or lose a game. The Minnesota Wild started Marc-Andre Fleury in Game 2 after Filip Gustavsson was lights out in Game 1, the New Jersey Devils are turning to Akira Schmid in Game 3, and there were murmurs about the Boston Bruins maybe turning to Jeremy Swayman after Game 2.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a horrid Game 1 but didn't make any changes heading into the second game except for the one they had to make after Michael Bunting's suspension. Justin Holl, who was on the ice for 6 goals against in that game, remained in the lineup heading into the second game. Holl's had a topsy-turvy last couple of seasons, with many wanting him out of the lineup from the get-go.
Now it seems like the Leafs are going to make a change and it might be on defense. Timothy Liljegren did not stay on the ice for the extra work this morning and when Sheldon Keefe was asked if changes are afoot, he came back with a cheeky "maybe".
Jake McCabe, T.J. Brodie, Mark Giordano and Morgan Rielly seem like universal locks heading into any game. Luke Schenn showed what he brings to a lineup last game when he dropped the gloves with Tanner Jeannot, while also delivering 5 hits in 17:08 TOI. Schenn is, however, dealing with an injury from that fight, having received 7 stitches on his hairline. Then we have Holl as the other potential odd man out, unless the Leafs decided to do the unthinkable and go with an 11 forward and 7 defensemen set in the playoffs - something Keefe said before Game 2 that he wouldn't mind trying.
Timothy Liljegren played in 67 games this season, scored 6 goals and added 12 assists, while averaging 17:55 TOI. He was a mainstay on the backend until the Leafs made all those trade deadline moves but remained in the lineup more often than not with the Leafs opting to go 11/7 with the regular season coming to a close and a playoff berth locked in.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 22 | 192 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe gives cheeky response when asked about any potential roster changes for Game 3 How many goals will the Leafs score in Tampa tonight for Game 3? | ||
| 0-1 | 5 | 2.6 % |
| 2-3 | 58 | 30.2 % |
| 4-5 | 114 | 59.4 % |
| More than 5 | 15 | 7.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
