Connor Timmins + Nick Robertson should be in the playoff lineup for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Timmins has battled a variety of nagging injuries and ailments, so his lack of games isn't due to Keefe keeping him out of the lineup. But Timmins has spent his time in the press box while being the Maple Leafs' best statistical defenseman this season.

Despite playing just 24 games this season, Timmins ranks second among Leafs defensemen in points per 60 minutes and also has the second most points per 60 minutes on the defensive side of the puck. When five o'clock on the ice, Timmins ranks highest among Maple Leafs defensemen in all of the following:

– Corsi % (shot attempts)
– Fenwick % (unblocked shots)
– Shot on goal %
– Chance to score %
– High risk %
– Expected Goal %

The knock on Timmins is that he takes too many penalties, which is a fair price as he has the highest penalty kill average among Maple Leafs defensemen at 60. But that comes with consistent playtime in my opinion.

Timmins is only 25 years old and has played just 90 games in his NHL career and has yet to play more than 31 games in a season.

He hasn't played enough or consistently enough to get used to the speed and strength of opposing players in the NHL.

Regardless, it can't hurt you to have a guy who can take one easy penalty every four games, especially when that guy has a positive impact on the game in every other way.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have the worst defensive core of any playoff team, and it's crazy to think Conor Timmins won't make the playoff roster despite being one of the Leafs' best performers on the ice.