With mounting injuries Maple Leafs to rely on young

wilfred_kassulk

Every team experiences injuries to key players during the season. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, it's their blueline depth that has taken the worstbeating.  On Wednesday, the team announced that defenseman Jake Muzzin is . He went down in Tuesday's winagainst the Tampa Bay Lightning afterhe took a Justin Shaffer Jersey  shot from the blue line into the hand.  Toronto is now down three starting defensemen in Muzzin, Cody Ceci (ankle) and . They've combined for 58 points equivalent to 45 percent of the team'spoint production from defensemen this season.  Toronto is going to need to digdeep into itssystem to get reinforcements for its injured players. As Sportsnet Alex Tchikou Jersey 'sElliotte Friedman noted, the Maple Leafs could start five defensemen from Toronto's AHL affiliate that played in game one of the 2018 Calder Cup Final.  5 of AHL TORs D from Game 1 of 2018 Calder Cup Final could play tomorrow in FLA:  Marincin - Holl  Rosen - LoVerde  Dermott - Liljegren   Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC)  The coach of the Toronto Marlies in 2018? Current Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe.  Tyson Barrie will be the top defenseman alongside Rasmus Sandin, Travis Dermott, Justin Holl, Martin Kyle Thompson Jersey  Marincin,Timothy Liljegren and Calle Rosen.  According to Hockey Reference, Holl is second on the team in defensive points share (estimated amount of points contributed by a player's defense) at 2.5.  Garrett Greene Jersey Dermott (2.1) and Barrie (1.5) are the other two players above one among the active defensemen.  Toronto is one of the worst defensive teams in the league with 3.27 goals allowedper game. According to Natural Stat Trick, Maple Leafs are tied for the most scoring chance goals allowed in the NHL.  The impact of Muzzin's absence will be amplified if the young, inexperienced Maple Leafs defenseman can't step up as they enter Wednesday in third place in the Atlantic Division.  Because of Keefe's experience coaching most of the defensemen in the AHL, many of the players recently called up know the system, whichshould ease their transition to the NHL. However, if the likes of Sandin, Marincin and Liljegren can't help le sen the blow of losing three starters, Tom Brady Jersey  it will only add pre sure to the Maple Leafs forwards as they continue their playoff push.