THE BRUINS TAKE A 2-1 SERIES LEAD!!
Call it the Brad Marchand game. Marchand's snipe 28 seconds after the Leafs tied the game in the 3rd ended up being the game winner and the Bruins have taken a 2-1 series lead. LET'S GET INTO IT!!!!
FINAL: Boston 4, Toronto 2
Quick notes:
- 3rd straight game that William Nylander missed for Toronto.
- Couple changes in the lineup for Boston tonight, Andrew Peeke is week to week with a hand injury. Parker Wotherspoon and Mason Lohrei both made their postseason debuts, with Matt Grzelcyk getting scratched. Jakub Lauko sat for James van Riemsdyk, who nearly converted on a breakaway and hit at least 2 posts tonight. Lohrei found himself in the box twice, as he primarily skated alongside Charlie McAvoy. We'll see what Montgomery does in Game 4, wouldn't be surprised if Shattenkirk sat for Grzelcyk. Shatty played just 10:05 tonight.
- Hampus Lindholm is really starting to put his stamp on this series. Monster minutes as expected. Really love how McAvoy, Carlo and Hampus are playing. Especially on the road when they need to eat minutes. McAvoy played 25:47, Lindholm 25:03, and Carlo 23:43.
- Different looking lines tonight, DeBrusk skated with Zacha and Pastrnak. Geekie played on the right side with Coyle and Marchand and Frederic centered JVR and Heinen.
- Trent Frederic added his second goal of the series. Big answer to tie it up in the second.
- The refs were a shit show on both sides tonight but the Bruins cannot keep putting the Leafs on the power play. I know we stoned them tonight (Leafs went 0-5) but just need to be as disciplined as possible going forward (easier said than done).
- On the flip side of things, Boston buried 2 power play goals. One from JD for the lead in the 3rd and the empty netter to ice the game from Marchand with Tavares in the box for holding McAvoy.
- Once again, incredibly physical game. Zacha was blown up by Reaves twice. Gonna be some ice bags after the game but the extra day off will be huge.
- Brad Marchand dragged them into the fight and was the difference tonight. 28 seconds after Toronto tied it, Marchand answered. Him and Bertuzzi going at it has been pure entertainment. Marchand added the empty netter with 7 seconds to go in the game as well, tying Cam Neely for most playoff goals in team history with 55.
- Oh Captain, My Captain 😈 What a compliment from Keefe.
- Jake DeBrusk THRIVES in the postseason. Another PPG for him tonight. Have a series, JD.
- Jeremy Swayman was NAILS. 28 of 30 saves tonight. They will not go to Ullmark in Game 4 with how he played tonight and the rest he will gain since Game 4 isn't until Saturday. Do not even ask the question. Ullmark did not lose them the game in Game 2, but this is Swayman's series going forward until he falters. He's 5-0-0 this year against the Leafs with a .957 SV% and a 1.38 GAA. Stopped all 6 shots on the Leafs power play. Don't overthink it, Monty.
It was a great night to win a hockey game, indeed.