The Toronto Maple Leafs avoided slipping into a 3-0 series deficit Monday night with an enormous 4-2 victory over the Boston Bruins. Instead of being on the brink of elimination entering Game 4, Toronto has the opportunity to pull even with the favoured Bruins.
Entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs, hockey fans expected this Original Six matchup to be one of the closer series of the First Round. But after two games on the road, Toronto looked to be in a different league than Boston. They surrendered 12 goals and were overmatched in every facet of the game. It turns out that returning home was just what the doctor ordered.
Game 3 showed what Toronto is capable of: timely scoring, disciplined defense and superb goaltending. The result was a convincing win and the opportunity to even the series 2-2 on Thursday night. To do so, the Leafs will need to keep Boston’s first line off of the scoresheet. The threesome of Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand have combined for a ridiculous 20 points through three games. The Leafs won’t be able to count on goaltender Frederik Andersen to steal every game, so they’ll need to recapture their defensive prowess in Game 4.
NHL Odds: Boston and Toronto Square Off in Game 4
Patrick Marleau showed up for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 3. The 38-year-old scored two goals and paced the Leafs to a 4-2 victory over the Bruins. Marleau was complimented by a sensational performance from Frederik Andersen, who stopped 40 shots, including several highlight reel saves in the dying minutes of the game.
The Leafs had been outscored 12-4 in the first two games, and Boston appeared to be running away with the series. Those lopsided performances were largely because Toronto was unable to contain Boston’s first line in the first two games. They found a way in Game 3 and will need to do so once again on Thursday if they hope to head back to Boston with the series tied.
NHL Odds: Leafs Welcome Boston for Game 4
After a thrilling 4-2 victory over the Boston Bruins in Game 3, the Toronto Maple Leafs will attempt to win their second straight game and even the series at two games apiece. The Leafs will look to Frederik Andersen to once again steal the show, as David Pastrnak and the Bruins try to push the Leafs to the brink of elimination.
After struggling mightily in Games 1 and 2, Auston Matthews found his game in Game 3. The phenom potted his first goal of the playoffs in true sniper form for what turned out to be the game winner. The Leafs
will need the sophomore to build on his Game 3 performance if the Leafs plan to even the series at two.
Game 4 between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs is pivotal for both clubs. A Boston win would give them a stranglehold over the series at 3-1. A Leafs’ victory would even the series and give Toronto all of the momentum heading back to Boston. Puck drop is 7 PM ET, so don’t miss the action.
The Boston Bruins take on the Leafs this Thursday for a Game 4 matchup that will determine who carries the series momentum heading back to Boston. The Leafs seem poised to build off of their Game 3 win, but
Boston is a veteran team that knows how to deal with adversity.
