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The Toronto Maple Leafs may be looking to make some slight lineup adjustments for a critical Game 4 in their best-of-seven series against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night, but as with everything to do with injuries or any changes in the roster, nothing will be confirmed or certain until just before game time.
The Leafs practiced at Ford Performance Centre on Friday with two notable absences. Auston Matthews did not participate for maintenance/illness reasons which will not keep him out of Game 4, and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin was absent due to his wife giving birth to his daughter (named Diana) in California on Thursday.
Connor Dewar took the spot of Matthews on the top line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi. William Nylander participated in practice for the first time in over a week, skating with fellow Swedes Pontus Holmberg and Calle Jarnkrok, while Nick Robertson was shifted down to the fourth line with David Kampf and Ryan Reaves.
“(Willie) looked great to me on the ice today,” Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said after practice. “He’s a very important plyer for us in many regards.”
Timothy Liljegren skated in Lyubushkin’s place on the top pairing with Morgan Rielly, and TJ Brodie replaced Liljegren on the right side with Joel Edmundson.
Keefe indicated that he will hold off in making any final determination on Nylander’s status before game time, but the winger’s coy responses after practice would lead you to believe that he would play for the first time in the series. Lyubushkin will reportedly be back well in advance of game time, but there is some speculation that Brodie could make his series debut on Saturday.
Liljegren was outmuscled and crumpled behind the net by Trent Frederic on Brad Marchand’s game-winning goal on Wednesday, which might sway Keefe to make a change, but Brodie’s play especially on his off-side was troublesome late in the season.
“The message going into the playoffs, I had talked to (TJ) while the regular season was going on, that it was important for him to stay ready.” Keefe said. “Things can change really quickly….it’s important to keep his mindset right.”
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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