Leafs force Game 7 with emotional win
The Toronto Maple Leafs won this one for their city.
Frederik Andersen stopped 32 shots to lead the host Maple Leafs to a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Monday night, forcing a decisive Game 7 in the first-round series.
The victory came hours after 10 people were killed when a van drove onto a sidewalk in Toronto’s north end and struck multiple pedestrians. Most of the players woke from their pregame naps to learn of the 1:30 p.m. incident that also injured 15 people.
“We’re sending all our love,” said Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner, who scored the tiebreaking goal and added an assist. “This is a big win for us after an emotional day.”
There was a moment of silence for the victims and their families prior the opening faceoff at Air Canada Centre.
William Nylander and Tomas Plekanec also scored for Toronto. Nikita Zaitsev added two assists, and Plekanec also had one. The Maple Leafs, who trailed the series 3-1 before winning two straight, were behind 1-0 early in the second period of this one.
Jake DeBrusk scored for the Bruins, and Tuukka Rask — pulled in Game 5 at home, finished with 27 saves. Game 7 is Wednesday night in Boston with the winner advancing to face Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference semifinals..”
l Alex Ovechkin scored twice and Braden Holtby had 35 saves as the visiting Washington Capitals advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 6. The Capitals will next face Pittsburgh in the second round of the playoffs for a third straight year. Houston span. The only team in the history of the NBA playoffs with more points in one quarter was the Los Angeles Lakers, who scored 51 points in the fourth on March 31, 1962, in a loss to the Pistons.
l Fabulous rookie Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 33 points and the host Utah Jazz took a 3-1 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in their physical and chippy first-round playoff series with a 113-96 win.
Russell Westbrook (23 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists) won his personal battle with Ricky Rubio (13-6-8), but his team now faces elimination.