Maple Leafs Give Fan Base What They Want With Game 6 Lineup Changes

It looks like Leafs Nation will finally get their wish in Game 6 as the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be taking out defenseman Justin Holl out of the lineup and are inserting defenseman Timothy Liljegren.

Leafs optional skate is underway. It is significant that Timothy Liljegren is NOT on the ice while Justin Holl is.

Is has usually been the other way around.

Confirmation on potential lineup to come. @BodogCA @RinkWideTOR

— David Alter (@dalter) April 29, 2023

“It’s inexcusable to keep playing him.”@HayesTSN on the Leafs decision to continue with Justin Holl in their lineup #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/iL68LkOyC9

— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) April 28, 2023

Justin Holl has been on the ice for 14 goals against.

That's the most by any Maple Leafs player in a single playoff series over the past decade.

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 28, 2023

Holl has been the whipping boy for the Leafs all season long and so far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Holl has been on the ice for 73% of Tampa's goals. Needless to say he's struggling and the noise got so loud after Game 5, Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe had to address it and mentioned Holl wasn't the only one on the ice for all of those goals.

As for Liljegren, he hasn't played in over two weeks, but had himself a fine season in 2022-23. He recorded 18 points in 67 games and was third on the team with a +24 rating. First it was the refs, now it's Holl, so if the Maple Leafs lose Game 6, who will Leafs Nation blame?

Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports