David Krejci and the Bruins will take on Zach Hyman and the Leafs in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs starting Thursday night in Boston.

Photo Credit: (RICK MADONIK / TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO)

By: Lucas Salvatore | Check me out on Twitter @lsalvatore29

Well here we are again the Boston Bruins have their second shot at ending the Toronto Maple Leafs season tonight will they do it or will these two clubs be heading back to Boston for a game 7?

The first goal will be a huge one once again tonight as the team who scores first has won every game thus far. The Bruins had a slow start in game 5, and while they were the better team after sixty minutes, the team knows that they have to start playing as soon as the puck drops at the Air Canada Center. The power play will be an area the Bruins look at as it single-handedly killed them last game not scoring on a five on three is inexcusable in such an important game.

Lineups

Things You Need To Know

  • Bruce Cassidy hinted at some lineup changes although nothing is confirmed
  • Expect Danton Heinen to be taken out if changes do happen
  • Leo Komarov is still expected to be out
  • Bruins penalty kill is 13th out of 16 teams
  • No surprise as Tuukka Rask will get the start after being pulled in game 5

Player To Watch

Boston

David Pastrnak: The Bruins top line has recorded 0 points in the two Bruins losses in the playoffs, and when you notice how effective they have been it is really incredible to see that stat line. Pastrnak will need to take this game over tonight if the Bruins are to end this series. David has not scored since game 2 where he scored a hat-trick, the Bruins need to get him going again as he is the driving force on the top line since the playoffs have started. If Pastrnak gets going you can expect fellow linemates Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand to also chip in.

Rick Nash: Where have we heard this before he’s getting chances but can’t finish, Rick Nash since scoring that power play tap-in has been invisible. It doesn’t help that the Bruins second line has only scored one even-strength goal thus far. Boston merely has not gotten enough from this second unit, and they absolutely need to get Nash going if they expect to go far because let’s say they move on to face the Tampa Bay Lightning they will need all four lines going if they plan to be in that series.

Toronto

Connor Brown: Being moved up on Auston Matthews wing sure does have some perks as Brown recorded his first goal of the series last game in Boston. This winger has a nose for the net and a really great shot so the Bruins will have to watch him as the Leafs look to once again get Matthews going on home ice. Brown will look to create more open space for his centermen tonight and don’t be surprised to see him heavily involved should the Leafs find success.

Fredrick Andersen: What else is there to say he was superb and the main reason we are sitting here right now awaiting game 6. The Leafs desperately need him to have an almost identical performance to the one he had in game 5 for them to even have a chance to push this to 7 games. With the defense that the Leafs have they will only go as far as Andersen lets them and based on his game to game stats, he has been very inconsistent.

BNG Predictions

Lucas Salvatore: 4-2 Boston

KG: 2-1 Boston in OT

Max Mainville: 4-3 Toronto

Mike Cratty: 4-1 Boston

Garrett Haydon: 3-2 Boston in OT

Mark Allred: 5-3 Boston