BOSTON — The Boston Bruins are in a familiar spot. After taking a 3-1 series lead in Round 1 for the second straight year, the Bruins lost Game 5 in overtime, 2-1 on Tuesday night to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Leafs return to Scotiabank Arena for Game 6 with momentum, while the Bruins are doubting their abilities to close out their first-round opponent.
Three quick takeaways on why the Bruins missed their first chance to eliminate the Maple Leafs:
The Bruins hoped a late Game 4 goal would put David Pastrnak back in line. It didn’t happen. The right wing did not look like himself for a fifth straight game. He could not create opportunities for himself or his linemates.
After scoring 47 goals and 110 points in the regular season, he has two goals and four points in five playoff games.
He finished Tuesday’s game with four shots. Good, but not good enough.
No-show in the first period
One of coach Jim Montgomery’s Game 5 priorities was an on-time start. But the Bruins never arrived.
The Leafs controlled the first period in shot attempts, 30-7. The Bruins could not do anything to break Toronto’s forecheck. The No. 3 pairing of Matt Grzelcyk and Parker Wotherspoon especially struggled against the Leafs’ down-low pressure.
The Bruins were fortunate to be tied after the first period, 1-1. After Brandon Carlo iced the puck, the Bruins lost a defensive-zone draw and allowed Jake McCabe to set up from the left point. McCabe’s wrist shot sailed through traffic and beat Jeremy Swayman, giving the Leafs a 1-0 lead.
CABER CLAPPER! 💥 pic.twitter.com/VJ9Mjlqffy
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 30, 2024
Swayman made 31 saves in the game, his third straight start.
Trent Frederic scored the Bruins’ goal after Pat Maroon’s forecheck on Simon Benoit caused a turnover.
Freddy from out front. pic.twitter.com/Awi6TqcYjR
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 30, 2024
The sleepy first period set the tone for the rest of the game and gave the Leafs confidence.
The Bruins got a gift. Auston Matthews was unavailable for Game 5. It allowed the Bruins to optimize their defensive matchups against Toronto’s new No. 1 line of Matthew Knies, John Tavares and William Nylander.
But the Bruins couldn’t take advantage of Matthews’ absence. The Leafs poured on high-volume offense without their No. 1 center. The Bruins could not control the puck and failed to execute clean breakouts against Toronto’s pressure.
Knies, meanwhile, made the most of his promotion, scoring the game-winner.
MATTHEW KNIES HOW DO YOU DO!!!! pic.twitter.com/tzb4wXChdH
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 1, 2024
(Photo of David Pastrnak and Timothy Liljegren: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
