The Leafs and Bruins faced off for the final time in the regular season on Thursday night. It was a low scoring, chippy affair that felt a lot like a playoff preview. Of course, the Leafs will have to win a round first, but there is a good chance these two squads meet again in the postseason. Below are the highlights from the game.
There weren’t many quality scoring chances early in the first period. The game’s first notable highlight came in the form of a fight. AJ Greer took exception to Sam Lafferty’s hit on Matt Grzelcyk. Then the two depth forwards engaged in a spirited tilt. The Leafs went to powerplay afterward due to an instigator penalty on Greer…
Lafferty and Greer drop the mitts! 🥊 pic.twitter.com/aEFc0tzNEu
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 6, 2023
Jake DeBrusk had one of Boston’s better opportunities of the first period. Ilya Samsonov turned his wrister away with the shoulder…
high shot off the shoulder for Sammy pic.twitter.com/nhGbH1Epua
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 6, 2023
The goaltending battle continued in the second period. The two teams traded chances partway through the middle frame. Samsonov’s save started the counter attack for the Leafs but Jeremy Swayman read the play perfectly and denied William Nylander…
Both goalies are locking it down so far to keep the game tied 0-0. 🔒 pic.twitter.com/0LNV9J9Om7
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 7, 2023
Toronto finally broke the deadlock more than halfway through the game. David Pastrnak had an uncharacteristic turnover leaving his defensive zone. Sam Lafferty intercepted the careless pass, got the puck deep, drove the net and deposited the game’s first goal…
Starts with Laffs
Ends with Laffs! pic.twitter.com/RWKhbxfBOj— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 7, 2023
The Leafs held onto the lead for most of the third period but one goal is rarely enough to beat the Bruins. Brandon Carlo made a great play to prevent Luke Schenn from clearing the zone. Then he set up Charlie Coyle for the tying goal…
Carlo shows off his hops which leads to the Coyle game-tying goal 🐰 pic.twitter.com/MhwfmxJV50
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 7, 2023
Toronto pressed hard for the final few minutes of regulation time. John Tavares had a pair of chances off a Mitch Marner shot. Swayman stopped both. Then Auston Matthews tried to stuff it home after a wraparound. Swayman came out on top again…
Marner sets Tavares up for the deflection pic.twitter.com/K5Nml2Sht6
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 7, 2023
Matthews gets a hug for his scoring chances pic.twitter.com/TgMnLx0En5
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 7, 2023
Morgan Rielly took a penalty to prevent a goal early in overtime. Samsonov kept the game tied with a couple clutch saves on the PK…
Samsonov! pic.twitter.com/4hcooZWqdN
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 7, 2023
Shortly after the Leafs killed off the penalty, David Pastrnak called game. The Bruins sniper one-timed his 57th goal of the year past Samsonov for the win. 2-1 Bruins final…
Who else but HIM? 🚨🍝 pic.twitter.com/8qyCsowkMo
— p – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 7, 2023
