Leafs, Bruins evenly matched
Before Game 1, Toronto head coach Mike Babcock and Boston bench boss Bruce Cassidy met with NHL series supervisor Mick McGeough to get briefed on how much tolerance they’ll be afforded by the officiating in their playoff series.
“Both teams are really disciplined,” Babcock said in his chat with McGeough. “Both teams are fast, both have good specialty teams and I don’t think either team wants the other on the power play.”
The series supervisor usually measures goalie equipment on both teams as well.
COACHES GO WAY BACK
This isn’t the first time Babcock and Cassidy have matched wits, going back to the American Hockey League when Cassidy was coaching the Ottawa Senators’ farm team in Grand Rapids, Mich., while taking on Babcock’s Cincinnati Ducks in the 2002 post-season.
“We had close games; clean, hard hockey,” Cassidy said. “I’ve always enjoyed watching his teams play. For the most part, they’ve been good games. That’s what I anticipate in this series. We’ll see where it goes.
“Mike’s had young teams, he’s had veteran teams and he’s had success with both. Clearly he knows how to communicate and coach to different levels of experience and intellect, however way you want to say it. His teams play a current style of hockey and he’s always had a skating team.”
OUT THE WINDOW
One of the first things the Leafs wanted to make clear upon their arrival in Boston was their regular season record against the Bruins — they won three of the four games — meant nothing heading into Game 1.
“It’s good for video (prescouting) and that’s about all,” said defenceman Morgan Rielly after the morning skate at TD Garden. “Other than that, we’re not going to put a lot of weight into it.”
All of the Leafs’ victories came without Auston Matthews in the lineup.
What will make a difference, Rielly said, is having been through the playoff wringer last spring against Washington and then having far more time this year to get ready for April with a healthy lead in the standings.
“We’re just more comfortable,” Rielly said. “Good teams coming down the stretch try and make a playoff push. You want to get in that mode as early as possible and the last half of the season put us in a good spot.”
HAIR APPARENT
The Leafs’ attempts to grow playoff beards have begun and it’s proving to be a challenge for 21-year-old defenceman Travis Dermott.
“I’m going to be trying my hardest to really darken down the peach fuzz,” Dermott said. “I shaved last week and now I regret it. If I let it go a couple weeks, I get a chin strap, but also a weird, little bald spot I won’t show the camera.”
LOOSE LEAFS
As well as Dermott playing his first playoff game for the Leafs, the trio of Jake DeBrusk, Matt Grzelcyk, Danton Heinen were making their playoff debuts for the Bruins.