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Boston Bruins John-Michael Liles To Miss Game Against Toronto Maple Leafs

By Brandon Share-Cohen

Mar 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman John-Michael Liles (26) skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman John-Michael Liles (26) skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins John-Michael Liles To Miss Game Against Toronto Maple Leafs With Injury Suffered Against Florida Panthers

The Boston Bruins have lost five straight games in regulation, and to make matters worse, they have lost defenseman John-Michael Liles to injury. The newly-acquired Boston Bruin is set to stay in Boston while his teammates make the trip to Toronto for a game against the Maple Leafs.

During the Bruins 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday, John-Michael Liles went down with an apparent injury in his right leg after being tied up with Panthers’ forward Garrett Wilson in the corner during the second period. Liles never returned to the game will be further evaluated in Boston while the Bruins travel to Toronto.

John-Michael Liles has been very solid for the Bruins since being acquired from the Carolina Panthers at the NHL Trade Deadline. He has been a calming presence on the Bruins’ blue line and has effectively moved the puck — traits the Bruins were looking for when they pulled the trigger on a trade to acquire him. The Bruins will likely have to replace Liles with either Zach Trotman or Joe Morrow who are both far-less experienced, but have both shown potential at times.

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Joe Morrow was the odd-man out when Liles was acquired, but what might be forgotten at this point was how well he was playing prior to the trade. Morrow was playing a confident brand of hockey that showed off a combination his skating ability, shot, and an ability to get back defensively when called upon.

Joe Morrow is definitely better suited to replace Liles’ skillset in the Bruins lineup, but head coach Claude Julien might be more willing to put in Zach Trotman, a more reliable defender and possession player, as the team tries to reclaim some lost points. Trotman has often been trusted in tough situations and while the results have been mixed, he has shown he can be a serviceable replacement for the Bruins’ until Liles is ready to play again.

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Regardless of who the Bruins put in the line-up against the Maple Leafs, the Bruins will need to play their hardest if they intend on staying in a playoff spot by the end of the weekend. The Bruins are only one point ahead of the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers and both teams have games-in-hand on Boston as well.

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