Major Nylander development will impact Game 4 lineup for Leafs

After an extended absence due to health concerns, Nylander's return to practice has sparked interest and speculation among fans and analysts alike.

During Friday's practice, Nylander made a significant change from his usual routine in these playoffs, switching to a white practice jersey, signaling his readiness to join the team's "bottom-six" group. This shift comes after Elliotte Friedman shed light on Nylander's challenges with migraines, which had kept him off the ice since the regular season's conclusion.

The practice session saw some notable adjustments, particularly with Auston Matthews taking a maintenance day and Ilya Lyubushkin also away, spending time with his newborn daughter. In their absence, Connor Dewar stepped up to the first line, presumably as a placeholder, flanked by Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi, while Nylander slotted in with Pontus Holmberg and Calle Jarnkrok.

Interestingly, Nick Robertson found himself demoted to the fourth line, joining David Kampf and Ryan Reaves, raising questions about his future in the lineup once Nylander is fully reintegrated. The dynamics of the team's forward groups are evidently fluid, with head coach Sheldon Keefe not having confirmed his Game 4 lineup just yet.

Nylander's presence also extended to the powerplay drills, where he took reps with the first unit, which has struggled recently. His return could provide a much-needed boost to the team's special teams performance.

Defensively, Timothy Liljegren looks set to be the odd man out, serving as a healthy scratch in favor of T.J. Brodie, who partnered with Joel Edmundson during practice. This adjustment leaves the team with a limited number of right-handed defensemen, spotlighting Liljegren's recent performance challenges in the series.

David Alter of The Hockey News provided a detailed look at the practice lines, indicating the Leafs' strategic considerations heading into a crucial game.

As Game 4 approaches, the Maple Leafs' lineup changes underline their commitment to optimizing team dynamics and addressing weak spots. With Nylander's return, the team is hopeful for a resurgence in their performance, aiming to capitalize on every opportunity to advance in the playoffs.