Brodie has struggled in recent games more than any other time in his Leafs tenure. These struggles along with the return of healthy Connor Timmins have led to Brodie's first true scratch during his Maple Leafs career.
TJ Brodie healthy scratched for the first time as a Leaf (not including late-season games for rest).
This scratch seems to be a long time coming. Even Head Coach Sheldon Keefe knows that Brodie has not been at his best and feels a break is needed. In a recent article diving into the decision Keefe commented on the move.
"I just think it's an opportunity for us to give him a little bit of time off, lighten the workload a bit here," Keefe explained of the move. "Brodes hasn't been at his best this season here for most of the season."
While Keefe admits that Brodie needs a night off he also acknowledges all he has done for the team. It sounds as though his absence from the lineup will be a short one and is just as much about giving Connor Timmins a chance to get in-game reps.
"He's taken on a lot for us and we've been through a lot with our defense in particular throughout the season and he's been consistent taking on the hardest matchups every night," Keefe said of Brodie. "It's been a lot so it gives us a chance to give him a night off and getting Timmins back involved is important for us."
Along with Brodie, forward Noah Gregor is also coming out of the lineup. A switch in goal has also occurred as Joseph Woll finally gets his opportunity back between the pipes against the Washington Capitals.
With the Maple Leafs needing to stay in the win column to keep a top seed in the East these players stepping in will need to contribute immediately. A desperate Capitals team looking to stay in the playoffs themselves will be no easy task for the new lineup.
