The Maple Leafs should bet on Brodie on Sunday

TJ Brodie is expected to return to action with the Toronto Maple Leafs when they face the Washington Capitals on Sunday at Scotiabank Arena (5 p.m. ET; TSN4, NBCSWA, NHLN, SN NOW, ESPN+).

The defenseman has missed the last 10 games with a rib injury sustained in a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 7. At practice on Saturday, he was paired with Morgan Rielly.

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“I felt good,” Brodie said after practice. “Now we have to see how I will feel for the rest of the day and tomorrow. I took a few contacts, which is a good thing, and it went well. I hope to play. It’s not my decision, but I would like to play. »

Toronto still has two games to play before the All-Star Game break.

“We’ll get the verdict from Brodie and the medical team later today or in the morning, but he’s greatly improved our depth and he’s a key part of our defensive squad. His presence puts everyone in the right chair and allows us to better distribute the minutes of play,” said coach Sheldon Keefe. “His return will certainly be welcome. »

Brodie, who has eight points (two goals, six assists) in 28 games, missed 12 games earlier this season after suffering an oblique injury Nov. 11.

“It’s really not fun,” Brodie said. It’s probably the most games I’ve missed in my career, so it’s new to me and it’s obviously a situation you want to avoid. Coming back to the game after my last injury, I felt good physically, but it was difficult to play a few games and get injured again. »

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Matt Murray, who did not practice on Saturday, must undergo further examinations to determine the severity of an ankle injury. Keefe said the injury “showed up” just before his scheduled start against the Ottawa Senators on Friday. Ilya Samsonov eventually played the game and allowed six goals on 34 shots in a 6-2 loss.

“It’s an injury he had to deal with for a while, and it went away,” Keefe said of Murray. “Training was going well, but the injury came back and he didn’t feel well enough to play. The medical team kept him away, and we’ll get more information today. »

Keefe said he doesn’t yet know if Murray will back up to Samsonov on Sunday or if a goaltender will need to be recalled from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.