The Bruins did not remove the Maple Leafs in back-to-back alternatives, falling 2-1 in Recreation 6. As an alternative, they are going to host Toronto within the decisive Recreation 7 on Saturday night time at TD Backyard.
Boston has struggled to begin on time, and the Leafs despatched a message within the first 20 minutes of the sport by outshooting the Bruins 12-1 within the interval.
“It was a decent sport. They play effectively each sport,” Brad Marchand instructed reporters after the loss, as seen on NESN’s postgame protection. “They’re ready to play first shift, and we must be higher in that space. I believe we began nearly as good or higher than them.”
Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery was incised together with his staff’s begin in Recreation 5 and his frustration carried over into the start of Recreation 6.
Story continues beneath commercial
“It’s unacceptable our begin once more,” Montgomery instructed reporters, as seen on NESN’s postgame protection. “We bought to discover a solution to begin on time, and we simply bought to be higher. Toronto began on time. They’re getting the benefit. They’ve the momentum, and I assumed the final half-hour we pushed again rather well, nevertheless it shouldn’t take that lengthy.”
Even with the gradual begin, Montgomery thought Boston performed extra to its customary within the second half of Recreation 6.
“We have been a significantly better hockey staff tonight than we have been in Recreation 5,” he stated. “I didn’t acknowledge the staff in Recreation 5. The final half-hour, I acknowledged our staff, and that’s what we’re gonna need to construct off.”
Though Boston dangers changing into the primary staff in NHL historical past to lose a best-of-seven sequence after being up 3-1 in consecutive postseasons, Montgomery stated the Bruins are usually not permitting final season to creep into their minds.
Story continues beneath commercial
“We’re not worrying about, we’re not dwelling up to now. We’re not dwelling sooner or later both. We’re dwelling within the current,” Montgomery stated. “Proper now we’re not proud of our sport. We’re gonna prepare for Recreation 7 beginning tomorrow.”
Montgomery additionally identified that the staff wants its stars, particularly David Pastrnak, to step up in Recreation 7.
“Your finest gamers must be your finest gamers this time of 12 months,” Montgomery stated. “I believe the hassle is large, and they should come by way of with some big-time performs and big-time moments. I believe Marchand has performed that within the sequence. Pasta must step up.”
Listed here are extra notes from Thursday’s Bruins-Maple Leafs Recreation 6:
Story continues beneath commercial
— Jeremy Swayman made his fourth straight begin within the sequence. He made 24 stops on 26 Toronto pictures for his second loss however nonetheless posted a .923 save share. Regardless of the loss, Swayman nonetheless held his optimistic outlook heading into the decisive Recreation 7.
“I believe all of us perceive that within the playoffs, each sport is a Recreation 7,” Swayman instructed reporters, per team-provided video. “That’s the depth that we need to carry each night time, and after we do get to an precise Recreation 7, it ought to be one other day within the workplace for us as a result of we ready the appropriate approach. We’re anticipating their finest and we’re anticipating our greatest. That’s what makes Recreation 7 so enjoyable and so particular.”
— William Nylander’s two objectives within the Toronto win broke a 13-game aim drought courting again to March 26 of the common season. He turned simply the fourth participant in Maple Leafs historical past to account for every of the staff’s objectives to stave off elimination, per NHL Public Relations.
— The Bruins and Leafs will battle within the decisive Recreation 7 for the fourth time since 2013. Boston defeated Toronto in 2013, 2018 and 2019 to advance to the second spherical of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Bruins went on to the Stanley Cup Last in 2013 and 2019.
Story continues beneath commercial
— The Bruins will as soon as once more have the chance to ship the Leafs packing on Saturday night time. Puck drop from TD Backyard is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, and the sport will probably be broadcast on ABC.