TheToronto Maple Leafs (30-18-5) trail the Bruins (3011-8) by three points heading into Saturday’s game in Boston.
Terry Koshan points out five things to watch forwhenthe rivals face off.
Quick and relentless
The Maple Leafs have gone 142 minutes, 17 seconds since allowing a goal, with several factors leading to the solid defence. “We’re coming back hard,” Patrick Marleau said of the Leafs’ effort. “And having a third guy high was important early on in the game (against the New York Rangers on Thursday).” The Leafs must continue on that path.
Boost for the Leafs’ D?
We should have a good idea following the morning skate whether defencemen Morgan Rielly (arm) or Ron Hainsey (illness) will return to the Leafs’ lineup. The defence corps has held up without them, but you can bet both would be welcomed back.
It’s a four-point game
The Leafs will have one more chance to beat the Bruins after this game, on Feb. 24 in Toronto. Consider this game a must-win for Toronto with first-round home ice at play. “Toronto is an opponent we might see,” Bergeron said. “We’re trying to get away from them in the standings and push them down.”
Moving parts
Like the Leafs, the Bruins didn’t practise on Friday, and it will be determined on Saturday whether defencemen Charlie McAvoy and Kevan Miller will play. McAvoy has missed four games with a heart ailment.
No Marchand
Brad Marchand is a thorn in the side of every opponent, but because he can’t stop himself from crossing the line every so often, he will be serving the fourth game of a five-game suspension. The Leafs will say they just worry about themselves, but it’s a benefit that they won’t have to plan for Marchand, who has 50 points in 38 games this season.