Bruins vs. Maple Leafs: Game 7 Preview

04/23/2019 By Christopher Williams

Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons

For the second straight season, the Boston Bruins will host the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden in Game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Bruins boast a 5-1 record in Game 7 scenarios within the last decade.

The Bruins forced tonight’s Game 7 matchup after a series-tying 4-2 win in Toronto on Sunday. Veteran winger Brad Marchand led Boston with two goals and an assist.

The Maple Leafs started the scoring early in Game 6, but Marchand quickly responded with the tying goal. Torey Krug and Jake DeBrusk added to the scoring to give Boston a 3-1 lead going into the third period. Auston Matthews’ goal five minutes into the final period was nothing but consolation as Marchand scored his second goal of the game with under two minutes remaining.

Despite having to rotate the lineup in recent games due to a number of injuries, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy does not foresee making any changes to the lineup for Game 7. David Krejci took a maintenance day from practice on Monday, but he will be in the lineup for tonight’s game.

Toronto will look to John Tavares, who has only scored once this series, to step up his performance and help the Leafs advance to the second round for the first time in 15 years.

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to face the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round.