The Toronto Maple Leafs entered their game last night against the Boston Bruins at TD Gardens on top of the Atlantic Division, hoping to stave off a desperate Bruins team sitting a point out of the playoffs. Heading into the home stretch, games are set to get more intense and meaningful from now on.
The Maple Leafs started slow, but were able to tie the game late in the third period. Mitch Marner scored the overtime winner giving the Maple Leafs the 5–4 win and completing the comeback from 3–0. Let’s take a look at some of the storylines coming out of last night’s win against the Bruins.
And now for something completely different the same
As in the game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, the Maple Leafs got off to another slow start. Rather, they did not show up in the first period. The Bruins outshot the Maple Leafs 15–8, and more importantly, scored two goals to the Maple Leafs’ zero.
The first goal came off of a David Pastrnak breakaway thirty seconds into the game. The second goal game from none other than Brad Marchand near the end of the first period on the power play. While the goals against are the problem, it’s the lack of attention to detail.
The Maple Leafs were sloppy in the first period and most of the second. They were unable to create any sustained offensive zone pressure, nor did they make Jeremy Swayman work hard. The Maple Leafs relied on Stolarz, like they relied on Joseph Woll in the Blackhawks game to keep the game from going out of hand.
Stolarz is a gamer
Stolarz made several big saves throughout the game and is the reason why the game was 3–1 heading into the third period. Although the 30th-ranked Bruins power play was able to score two power play goals, Stolarz helped kill off the other four penalties.
Attention to detail was a theme in tonight’s game. It wasn’t just the penalty kill where Stolarz had to be sharp, but also on the Maple Leaf’s power play. In the dying seconds of the second period, Stolarz stopped a shorthanded breakaway by Marchand.
Stolarz continued to make key saves in the third period to keep the Maple Leafs in the game. Despite the Bruins desperately wanting the two points to put them in a playoff spot, Stolarz stone-walled the Bruins. Stolarz’s effort was not in vain as Pontus “AM34” Holmberg tied the game 4–4 with 46 seconds left to send the game to overtime.
While Stolarz got an assist on Nicholas Robertson’s then 3–3 tying goal, he got an honorary assist in overtime. Stolarz made a huge save on Mason Lohrei who crashed into Stolarz, which led to Marner scoring the winner moments after.
Marner the Anti-TD Gardens weapon?
Last Thursday, Marner had an assist on Connor McDavid’s overtime golden goal to give Canada the 4 Nations Face-Off championship at TD Gardens. In his return in last night’s game, Marner was all over the ice. He was not only defensively sound, but he was also the Maple Leafs’ best offensive weapon. Marner had a nice toe drag power play goal to bring the Maple Leafs within one:
Then in overtime, Marner delivers with a beautiful deke on Swayman for the overtime winner to complete the comeback:
It’s becoming clear that Marner is the anti-TD Gardens weapon. Marner with his 17th and 18th goals last night is having a career year. He is on pace for a career-high of 103 points this season. Unfortunately for Toronto, like William Nylander last year, this career year is in a contract year. It will be interesting to see what GM Brad Treliving does with the Marner contract situation.
Onto the next
It was clear that Boston wanted to be in a playoff spot, having dominated the Maple Leafs through the first 40 minutes. However, the Maple Leafs had an explosive third period and were able to complete the comeback in overtime.
Two shifts into the game, Chris Tanev left the game after an awkward hit by John Beecher. Tanev has been an absolute rock for the Maple Leafs this season, ranking fourth in the league in blocks and a key penalty killer on the first unit. His absence on the penalty kill was sorely missed as the Bruins scored two power play goals last night.
The Maple Leafs need to start games on time as it is starting to catch up with them. They can’t be in the habit of taking periods off in the playoffs or the result will be the same as it has been for the last eight years. That being said, it was their third game in four nights, with three Maple Leafs players playing in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Hopefully with some rest, they can start to hone their playoff game come Friday against the New York Rangers.
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