The Bruins Fail To Put The Series Away

Steve Babineau. Getty Images.

The Bruins failed to close out the Maple Leafs, falling 2-1 in OT and we are officially headed back to Toronto for Game 6. Fuck me.

Toronto opened the scoring 5 minutes into the 1st thanks to a Jake McCabe blast from the point. 1-0 Leafs. Brandon Carlo iced the puck and Leafs immediately put the Bruins on their heels to start the game after an ugly start.

A hard forecheck from Jesper Boqvist and Pat Maroon led to a puck popping out right in front of the net for Trent Frederic who tied the game 1-1.

Matthew Knies scored the game winner in OT to send the series back to Toronto for Game 6.

FINAL: Toronto 2, Boston 1 (OT)

News, notes and quotes:

- The Leafs were without Auston Matthews tonight, who is dealing with some sort of illness and injury. No word on his availability for Game 6. 

- Joseph Woll got the start for the Leafs tonight.

- For Boston, Jim Montgomery made two swaps. Johnny Beecher sat in favor for Justin Brazeau who made his postseason debut and Kevin Shattenkirk sat for Matt Grzelcyk. I understand wanting to get guys in, but would've rode with the lineup that got you here. Thought the 4th line played well but the Bruins missed Beecher at the dot. Grzelcyk at times seemed timid but as the game went on he played better. Perhaps too much overthinking from Monty.

- Ugly first period for Boston to say the least. Disappointing not to start on time in a chance to close out a series. No urgency whatsoever. The ice looked horrible. 

- Brandon Carlo left late in the 3rd and did not return for OT. Looked like he took a puck up high. That would be a massive loss should he not be available Thursday night.

- I don't know what the hell it is about Game 5's at home but my god.

- The refs have sucked all series long but it certainly wasn't the reason the B's lost tonight.

- Jeremy Swayman made his 3rd straight start, and I suspect we'll see him in Game 6. He certainly wasn't the problem tonight, and if anything he kept the Bruins in it for long stretches. Thought his postgame comments were very poised, his confidence about the guys in that room had me ready to run through a brick wall after being let down. Let's fucking go.

The Bruins' chance to advance tonight has been squandered, and in such a frustrating fashion. B's couldn't match Toronto's desperation without their best player in the lineup and with their backup netminder in. Just inexcusable really to not start on time, especially at home. It's not even the loss I'm so mad at, it's how it happened. They played like a team who knew they had 3 chances to advance, instead of a team with a killer instinct to finish the job. Miserable feeling having to take a trip back to Toronto and think about last year and that choke job. I am choosing confidence and positive vibes however, and that the B's will get this done Thursday night. Toronto punched back and it's time to respond. This team is better than whatever that performance was tonight.

Game 6 Thursday night in Toronto, buckle up.