It’s been almost two months since we’ve seen Morgan Rielly in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, but I come with some good news.
Rielly joined the Toronto Maple Leafs at practice today, meaning it’s possible he could to return tomorrow night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The now 26-year-old, who’s birthday is today, has been out of the lineup since early January after suffering a broken-foot after blocking a shot against the Florida Panthers.
After the Toronto Maple Leafs were swept in California, even in a great defensive effort, it was imperative that Rielly needed to return to the lineup. He provides a boatload of offense, which Tyson Barrie hasn’t generated much of recently.
Morgan Rielly
Rielly’s return is another step in the right direction for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Morgan Rielly says not being around the last eight weeks has “made the fire burn a little more.” Eager to make an impact, but wasn’t willing to confirm that he’ll be back tomorrow versus the Lightning.
— Justin Cuthbert (@jccuthbert) March 9, 2020
Most of the Leafs injured players are returning before the regular season ends, and it will provide the team with a nice push down the stretch, where the points are vital right now.
According to the lines at practice, Rielly will be back alongside his partner, Cody Ceci, who was also injured, but returned against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.
Rielly is their most important defenseman, who’s been through hell and back with the Toronto Maple Leafs. As the clock ticks closer and closer to the end of the season, the hopes are that they will squeeze into the playoffs for a fourth-consecutive year.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs do make the playoffs, their likely first-round opponent will be the team they face tomorrow night, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Another player who’s vital to the Toronto Maple Leafs is Ilya Mikheyev. He’s continuing his rehab, but it’s unlikely he returns for any of the regular season. Yet, that’s still very good news.
If they make the playoffs, it’s possible that the team could have a full lineup (excluding Andreas Johnsson) in their first game. Which hopefully results in a much needed boost of confidence, and boost of play.
Not many people are expecting the Toronto Maple Leafs to do very well, but they might surprise most and play well in their last 13 games of the season.
Even in the playoffs, people don’t expect them to do much, but with the first-round matchup being against the Lightning — a team the Toronto Maple Leafs matchup well with — anything is possible.
Time will tell and so will the teams next few games, which are against tough teams. If they play well, we can all be excited for the playoffs, if not and they still make it — we will likely still be excited because it’s well, the playoffs.