By: Ryan Bosworth | Follow me on Twitter/X @RyanJBosworth
The Boston Bruins were back on TD Garden ice for the season series finale against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins came into tonight’s tilt with a record of 39-23-8, seeking their 40th win on the season and continuing their push for the playoffs.
Toronto came in last in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 29-29-13, and essentially accepting their fate and pushing to get themselves within the bottom-five in the league. As most know, Boston hold’s Toronto’s first-round pick in this year’s draft, which only has top-five protections on it.
Despite a strong win on Saturday against Detroit, Boston couldn’t carry any momentum, and dropped an important two points to a team with nothing to play for. Here’s tonight’s recap.
First Period
The first period of this Original Six matchup was as sloppy as they come for Boston, and quite the opposite for Toronto, who controlled most of the play. Boston was able to find the back of the net, thanks to Elias Lindholm, who has now scored goals in back-to-back games. Beyond that, the power play struggled, and the Bruins really couldn’t generate any offense besides a couple chances.
Jeremy Swayman was extremely sharp, stopping all nine-of-nine shots faced and continuing his dominant play that we saw from him last Saturday in Detroit. These are high-stake games, and Swayman knows it. The Bruins were lucky to be up by a goal after the first frame.
Second Period
The second period tonight was arguably the Bruins’ worst period since returning from the Olympic break. Two goals from Matthew Knies and Max Domi put the Leafs up by a goal. The Knies goal came on a Bruins power play, which continues to really struggle.
The Bruins saw three power play attempts, and each one was just flat-out bad. Failed zone entries, the inability to get any momentum going in the offensive zone, all of it. Since coming back from the Olympic break, the power play has been their kryptonite, and tonight, it’s on full display.
There is one component keeping them in this game, and that’s goaltending. Through two period, Jeremy Swayman had faced 22 shots and has made 20 saves. If not for Swayman, this game would’ve been wide open.
Near the end of the frame, Nikita Zadorov caught John Tavares from behind in the defensive zone, which resulting in a five-minute major, but no game misconduct. Easton Cowan jumped in, which resulted in a two-minute minor for him, and with Henri Jokiharju already in the box, Boston would be playing 4-on-3.
With so much open space on the 4-on-3, Max Domi was able to capitalize down low and skated right in on Swayman, scoring to make it 2-1. With Henri Jokiharju’s penalty over, the Bruins were playing 4-on-4, and still, couldn’t generate anything. Heading into the third, Zadorov still has 2:53 left on his penalty.
Third Period
The final frame of this game was arguably the most disappointing period of the night, and most disappoint period since the Bruins have returned from the Olympic break. Two goals surrendered by Boston, albeit one was an empty net goal.
Boston was able to get themselves within one goal, making it 3-2 after William Nylander extended the Leafs’ lead to two goals. Charlie McAvoy got the final touch on a David Pastrnak one-timer, and the Bruins had life. But, that’s where it ended for Boston. Just a flat, unmotivated group competing against a team with nothing to play for.
The Bruins are right back to it tomorrow night, as they head out for the second game of their back-to-back, going to Buffalo to take on the Atlantic Division-leading Buffalo Sabres. There’s no time for this group to dwell on tonight — they just have to regroup, address tonight’s mistakes and figure out a way to get at least a point tomorrow.
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