Copyright 2024 The Related Press. All Rights Reserved.
Toronto Maple Leafs gamers, again left, have a good time after William Nylander’s purpose as Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, proper, appears to be like on throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save as Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand (63) and Charlie Coyle (13) search for a rebound throughout third-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ William Nylander (88) scores towards Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) throughout third-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares (91) and Matthew Knies (23) have a good time after a purpose towards Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, prime proper, as Bruins’ Jesper Boqvist (70) appears to be like on throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies, left, celebrates after a purpose as Boston Bruins’ Jesper Boqvist (70) skates by throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares (91) celebrates after a purpose towards Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs gamers, again left, have a good time after William Nylander’s purpose as Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, proper, appears to be like on throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs gamers, again left, have a good time after William Nylander’s purpose as Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, proper, appears to be like on throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save as Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand (63) and Charlie Coyle (13) search for a rebound throughout third-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save as Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand (63) and Charlie Coyle (13) search for a rebound throughout third-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ William Nylander (88) scores towards Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) throughout third-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ William Nylander (88) scores towards Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) throughout third-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares (91) and Matthew Knies (23) have a good time after a purpose towards Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, prime proper, as Bruins’ Jesper Boqvist (70) appears to be like on throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares (91) and Matthew Knies (23) have a good time after a purpose towards Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, prime proper, as Bruins’ Jesper Boqvist (70) appears to be like on throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies, left, celebrates after a purpose as Boston Bruins’ Jesper Boqvist (70) skates by throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies, left, celebrates after a purpose as Boston Bruins’ Jesper Boqvist (70) skates by throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares (91) celebrates after a purpose towards Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares (91) celebrates after a purpose towards Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) throughout second-period motion in Sport 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff sequence in Toronto, Thursday, Could 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
No group within the lengthy histories of the NHL, NBA and Main League Baseball has blown a 3-1 lead and misplaced a best-of-seven sequence in back-to-back postseasons.
The Boston Bruins have put themselves in that dialog. They’ll play a Sport 7 on Saturday night time (8 p.m. Jap, ABC) towards the rival Toronto Maple Leafs within the first spherical of the playoffs for the third time in seven years.
The Bruins gained the earlier two showdowns, together with an identical state of affairs in 2013, and the Leafs falling brief at the moment of 12 months has develop into a ceremony of spring. However the stress is on Boston after losing two in a row towards a group that has been lacking star ahead Auston Mathews since late in Sport 4.
“All of us perceive that in playoffs each recreation is a Sport 7,” mentioned goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who stopped 24 of 26 photographs within the newest loss that pushed the Bruins to the brink. “That’s the depth that we need to convey each night time, and after we do get to an precise Sport 7, it must be one other day within the workplace for us as a result of we ready the suitable manner, we’re anticipating their finest and we’re anticipating our greatest.”
The Bruins are a 12 months faraway from setting league records for wins and factors in an everyday season, then going up 3-1 on the eighth-seeded Florida Panthers within the first spherical earlier than losing in seven video games.
“We’re not worrying about (final 12 months),” mentioned Jim Montgomery, the 2023 Jack Adams Award winner as coach of the 12 months whose job may very well be in jeopardy if issues go sideways once more. “We’re not residing prior to now. We’re not residing sooner or later, both. We’re residing within the current. Proper now we’re not pleased with our recreation. We’re going to prepare for Sport 7.”
Matthews, who missed the past two games with an undisclosed ailment, skated Friday and is making progress however there’s “no willpower on his availability” for Saturday, Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe mentioned Friday. Matthews scored 69 objectives throughout the season and had one other towards Boston.
One of many few gamers nonetheless round from the sequence between these groups 11 years in the past, Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly, dismissed the notion that the onus has shifted from the Leafs to the Bruins.
“All bets are off in that regard,” Rielly mentioned. “Each groups have excessive expectations. I don’t suppose that there’s one group that’s coping with extra stress than the opposite.”
Rielly mentioned he doesn’t suppose there are odds or a favourite; Boston is a slight favourite for the sport, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
To show the tide again of their favor, the Bruins want to begin higher — they had been outshot 23-3 within the first interval over Video games 5 and 6 mixed — and get extra manufacturing from David Pastrnak, who had 47 objectives within the common season.
“Your finest gamers have to be your finest gamers this time of 12 months, Montgomery mentioned. ”I feel the hassle is super, and they should come by with some big-time performs in big-time moments. I feel (captain Brad) Marchand has performed that within the sequence. Pasta must step up.”
Pastrnak has two objectives and two assists by six video games. Marchand, who leads the group with eight factors, credited Toronto for being ready to play from the primary shift on.
“We have to be higher in that space,” Marchand mentioned. “We’ve got to do a significantly better job there.”
The sport is the one one on the NHL schedule Saturday. The winner will advance to play the Panthers with the sequence opener set for Monday night time at Florida. They’ve been resting since Tuesday, after they eliminated Tampa Bay in 5 video games.
“Any time you possibly can take a break like this, make the most of it,” mentioned Panthers ahead Sam Reinhart, who has three objectives within the playoffs after scoring a franchise-record 60 within the common season. “You’re going to be higher off, mentally, bodily. It’s a grind. Each sequence is its personal battle, has its personal challenges, so it’s important to make the most of a time like this.”
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
Copyright 2024 The Related Press. All Rights Reserved.
