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The Toronto Maple Leafs can rightly look at Game 4 of their best-of-seven series against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night as a game that could end their season if they lose. The Leafs trail the first round series 2-1 after a 4-2 loss on Wednesday, and if the result is the same against their Atlantic Division nemesis, they would face another early exit from the postseason.
The Leafs took to the ice at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday morning with the absentees from Friday’s practice back participating. Auston Matthews did not skate at Ford Performance Centre due to illness and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin made a quick jaunt to California for the birth of his daughter.
William Nylander did not skate for the optional workout, but head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that the club is preparing for him to make his first playoff start on Saturday. On Friday, Nylander practiced alongside fellow Swedes Pontus Holmberg and Calle Jarnkrok, with Nick Robertson taking Connor Dewar’s spot on the fourth line with David Kampf and Ryan Reaves.
TJ Brodie is expected to step in for Timothy Liljegren in Game 4 on the bottom pairing with Joel Edmundson. Keefe hinted that Liljegren is not 100% healthy and that he is looking for the bottom pair to be better.
Ilya Samsonov will get the start for Toronto and it appears that the Boston goalie rotation will be paused for Game 4 with Jeremy Swayman going for the Bruins.
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The Toronto Marlies stayed alive in their Calder Cup preliminary round series with a 4-3 victory over the Belleville Senators at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Friday. Dylan Gambrell scored 50 seconds into overtime to force a deciding Game 3 in Belleville on Sunday.
Joseph Blandisi had three points (1 goal, 2 assists), Kyle Clifford and Marshall Rifai each had a goal and an assist, but the Sens erased a 3-1 Toronto lead with a pair of Garrett Pilon power play goals, the tying marker coming with 20 seconds left in regulation.
The winner on Sunday will move on to the first round to play the Cleveland Monsters starting next week.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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