|
Reasons why there is cause for optimism; Game 7 – Leafs vs. Bruins |
|
|
|
|
|
For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter
Although there have been numerous similarities and comparisons between this year’s first round between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs and the seven-game series in 2013, Game 7 at TD Garden on Wednesday is not about what happened in the past, it is about where the two clubs are at this moment in time and what factors are present that will determine who will win and move on to face Tampa Bay this Saturday at Amalie Arena.
Boston entered the series as a slight favorite based mostly on their Stanley Cup winning experience and superior defensive play, but there have been chinks discovered in the Bruins armor through the first six games that indicate that a Toronto victory in tonight’s deciding game is possible.
Andersen vs. Rask - Going into Game 7, the Leafs appear to have the advantage in goal over the Bruins. Frederik Andersen had the worst goals-against-average (6.65) and second-worst save percentage (.822) of any goalie in the playoffs after the first two games at TD Garden, but since then the Leafs goaltender has a 2.25 GAA, .936 save percentage and has been even more stingy with Toronto’s season on the line, with a .960 save percentage in the third period.
Rask on the other hand, was pulled in after allowing four goals in 13 shots in Game 5 and has a 3.17 GAA and .894 save percentage in the last four games of the series.
The fatigue factor - The Leafs were beneficiaries of having literally nothing to play for after clinching a playoff spot in late March and did not overly burden their players with ice time down the stretch, while the Bruins were in a battle with the Lightning for first place and played five games in the last eight days of the regular season.
In the series, Brad Marchand(122:06), David Pastrnak (114:00) and Patrice Bergeron (99:50) are leading Boston forwards in time-on-ice (between 19 to 20 minutes per game), while blueliners Zdeno Chara, Charlie McAvoy and Torey Krug are averaging over 22 minutes per game.
Leafs head coach Mikie Babcock has been more judicious with spreading out his ice time. No Toronto forward is averaging more than 18 minutes per game and only Auston Matthews and Zach Hyman have played more than 17 minutes per game.
On defense, only Jake Gardiner is averaging over 22 minutes per game, while Ron Hainsey, Nikita Zaitsev and Morgan Rielly are all under 21 minutes.
Fatigue and injury may be big factors for the Bruins top line entering Game 7. The unit of Marchand, Bergeron and Pastrnak combined for 20 points in the first two games, but have score only a goal and two assists in the last four games.
Bergeron, who was injured and scratched for Game 4, has been held scoreless and is a -4 in the last four games.
Special teams turnaround - The determining factor early in the series was the Bruins power play, which went 5-for-11 and powered them to wins in Games 1 & 2 in Boston. In the last four games, the Leafs have been more successful in staying out of the penalty box (with only nine minors taken) and their more aggressive PK has led to them killing off all but one of the penalties.
Toronto has scored three goals with the man advantage, but as was their misfortune in the regular season, they have not been able to draw penalties. The Leafs are averaging a league-low 2.16 power plays per game.
*******
It may be some gamesmanship prior to Game 7, but the Leafs skated both Leo Komarov and Andreas Johnsson on the left side of the fourth line with Tomas Plekanec and William Nylander at the morning skate on Wednesday.
Komarov has not played since suffering a lower body injury in Game 2, but Babcock indicated on Tuesday that the winger was ready to play if called upon for Game 7. It is unknown whether the Leafs head coach will tinker with a winning lineup, but we know how much Babcock trusts the feisty veteran.
Also, it is unknown whether Plekanec will be moved down after playing effectively in four straight games between Patrick Marleau and Mitch Marner in place of Nazem Kadri.
Kadri playing on the fourth line with William Nylander gives balance to Toronto’s forwards and does not allow Boston to zero in on one particular unit.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»