5 Keys: Maple Leafs-Bruins
It just seems as though when the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs meet in the postseason lately, the series is destined to go seven games. The first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs is no different with the series having been back-and-forth between the two teams.
The pivotal seventh game of the series is set for Tuesday April 23 at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN and here are five keys to the game.
1) Speed and Physicality: Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have seemed to play their best hockey this series when they are playing with speed, but also being physical. If the Leafs can come out of the gate and set the pace early in this one then they should have an advantage. The Bruins need to watch out for the transition speed of the Leafs since they have a ton of it, and often look to go on the attack right from the defensive zone. The Leafs not only need to use their speed in transition, but need to be physical to wear down the Bruins throughout the game.
2) Discipline- Maple Leafs
The Leafs need to find a way to not take any unnecessary penalties since the penalty kill has been an area of weakness in this series. The only team with worse penalty kill numbers so far in the postseason is the Tampa Bay Lightning, who were swept right out of the playoffs by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Leafs have been shorthanded 16 times and have allowed seven power play goals against. The team does have one shorthanded goal in the series, but is only killing off 56.3% of penalties taken, which is why the team needs to avoid the penalty box in the final game of the series.
3) Power Play: Bruins
On the flip side, the Boston Bruins power play is ranked second only behind the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team is operating at a 43.8% clip while on the man advantage in the playoffs. In 16 power play opportunities, the Bruins have scored seven times and have allowed just one shorthanded goal against. The Bruins are getting setup in the Maple Leafs zone and managing to get screens in front, making life tough for Frederik Andersen while his team is down a man.
4) Top Line: Bruins
The Leafs have done a really good job of shutting down the Bruins’ top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak at even strength. The trio has a combined for nine of its 19 total points at even strength. The power play has been where the top line has done most of its damage. The trio has combined for 10 power play points, and has been the main catalyst while the team has had the man advantage.
5) Goaltending: Maple Leafs & Bruins
The goaltending for both teams has been pretty good in this series. Tuukka Rask and Frederik Andersen have been making saves at key moments in games to keep their teams in the games. Each team has really had some quality chances and the goalies have been there to make the saves. The goaltenders are going to have to make key saves at key moments and probably make one or two highlight reel saves. The goaltender that can make saves and keep his team in the game will help his team to advance to the next round.
