I believe cagey, wily Babcock is holding him out of game 4 deliberately-because he needs “injury recovery time”.
If the Leafs win game 4 then I believe Babcock will not dare put him in for game 5, the pivotal game, because he will be vilified if we lose. The heat will really turn up on him.
If they lose game 4 then easy decision to bring him back in for game 5, especially needing more physicality in the Bruins tough home barn (that will be the reason given). I think Babcock won’t have a tough decision at all for game 5-game 4 will dictate the decision.
On a side note and for all those who accuse us Leaf diehards of always nitpicking and being critical; we don’t have any personal agenda against Leo, a lot of us simply believe the team is better without him, you play your best.
But don’t be shy to check out Monday’s in between periods mini-rant by analyst Nick Kypreos. He can’t believe how Komorov is in the lineup either, nothing to do with recent injury.