Maple Leafs Hold On for 3-2 Victory Over Bruins to Even Series at 1-1
Game Two of the first-round playoff series between the Atlantic Division rivals Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins was everything that is great about playoff hockey. There were mistakes, physicality, power-play goals, clutch play in crunch time, and a little bit of controversy. Ultimately, the Maple Leafs were able to get their first win of the season over the Bruins by a score of 3-2 to even the series. Here is how it went down.
The first ten minutes of the game were a testament to the team's resilience, with neither side able to break the deadlock. However, a cross-checking penalty by Toronto’s Jake McCabe put the Bruins on the power play, and they immediately capitalized on their advantage, just as they did in game one with two power-play goals. Morgan Geekie converted a one-timer off a beautiful set-up pass from Brad Marchand. Yet, Toronto showed their mettle, answering back just 14 seconds later with a goal from Max Domi to level the game at 1-1. The period seemed destined to end with this score line until David Pasternak unleashed a stunning shot from the slot with just eight seconds left, giving Boston a 2-1 lead heading into the locker room.
The Maple Leafs mostly controlled the second period, and they needed it to keep Boston from creating separation as they did in game one. Toronto thought they tied it up at two when Auston Matthews batted the puck out of mid-air off a rebound in remarkable fashion. However, the goal was taken off the board after a review determined that Matthews’ stick was above the crossbar, resulting in an illegal high stick. Toronto had another close call on the power play where Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark saved the shot, but then the officials decided to go to review to see if the puck did cross the line before Ullmark caught it in his glove, but yet again, review decided there was no goal for Toronto. Finally, after two extremely close calls, John Tavares ripped a power-play goal past Ullmark with just over two minutes to go in the period. That 2-2 tie would hold going into the third period.
The third period was exactly what you would expect a tied playoff game to look like in the third period. There was lots of physicality, close calls, and anxious moments. The period was scoreless for over half of the 20-minute frame until ever-dangerous Auston Matthews finally broke through on a breakaway after a fantastic pass from Max Domi set him up to break free. One of the best goal scorers in the NHL took the opportunity, and just like that, the Maple Leafs grabbed their first lead of the series at 3-2. A few minutes later, after a scuffle in front of the Maple Leafs' net, the Bruins were awarded a powerplay due to multiple roughing penalties on Toronto. However, the lethal Boston power play could not get anything going with the man advantage, leaving them still down a goal with under four minutes to play. The Bruins then pulled goaltender Linus Ullmark with a minute and a half to go to gain the man advantage, but they were unable to score the equalizer, and the Maple Leafs held on to win a crucial game two to tie the series at 1-1 as the series shifts to Toronto. Game three will be in Toronto on Wednesday.
