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.
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