Auston Matthews authored the defining postseason performance of his career, Ilya Samsonov played his best game in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform and the series is tied at one apiece. Matthews’ tour-de-force performance against the Boston Bruins couldn’t have come at a better time, he hadn’t compiled a signature playoff game until tonight. Toronto’s proverbial back was against … [Read more...] about Game 2 takeaways: Matthews, Samsonov post career-best games to tie series
The Maple Leafs missed William Nylander in more ways than one
It’s been an interesting week in Leafs land. William Nylander was ruled out of Game 1 against the Boston Bruins. The undisclosed injury remains a mystery. It was his first game missed due to injury in seven and a half years and his team missed him dearly. As Sheldon Keefe put it, something ‘popped up’ after the regular season and once Nylander didn’t skate during the team’s … [Read more...] about The Maple Leafs missed William Nylander in more ways than one
Maple Leafs vs Bruins Game 1 starting lineups & other notes
The time has finally come. The season-long anticipation for the 2024 NHL playoffs is over, and the 16 best teams who qualified for the playoffs will begin their journey for the ultimate prize – Lord Stanley. For the third time in seven years and the fourth time in 11 years, the playoffs will feature a Toronto Maple Leafs/Boston Bruins series. Losing streaks from both original … [Read more...] about Maple Leafs vs Bruins Game 1 starting lineups & other notes
Maple Leafs’ attempt at gamesmanship shows pre-series paranoia
If you’re a hockey fan of a certain age, you’ve been instilled with the idea that the playoffs are a war of attrition, a battle between venerated foes. Hockey likes to imitate warfare, even if it seems silly in the context of the real world. This spring, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins are facing off in an evenly-matched divisional rivalry that represents critical … [Read more...] about Maple Leafs’ attempt at gamesmanship shows pre-series paranoia
Brad Marchand believes Maple Leafs are Bruins’ greatest rival
Any time you get a playoff matchup between two Original Six franchises, there’s an invitation to reflect upon history. Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand made quite the declaration Thursday, stating that the Toronto Maple Leafs are now his franchise’s greatest rival. “You see the excitement they have all throughout Canada when they’re in playoffs,” Marchand said Thursday via … [Read more...] about Brad Marchand believes Maple Leafs are Bruins’ greatest rival