It was a much better all-around effort from the Maple Leafs in game two after dropping the opening game of the series last Saturday night. And now, with the series tied 1-1 and Toronto headed back home for games three and four, the Maple Leafs will go to work and try to take care of business with home-ice advantage.
After falling 5-1 to the Bruins, the Maple Leafs needed a handful of players to step up in the following game, and one line in particular elevated their game, which propelled their team to the 3-2 win in game two. The Bertuzzi-Matthews-Domi line combined for six points – four points at five-on-five – and after a shaky game one, Ilya Samsonov stopped 27 of 29 shots to keep the Bruins off the scoreboard after they scored two goals in the first 20 minutes.
Toronto needed a performance like that from Matthews after getting left off the scoresheet in the opening game. A three-point effort – one goal and two assists – including the game-winning goal with roughly eight minutes to go in regulation was a massive statement from the Maple Leafs’ best player.
But that’s just one game. With William Nylander sidelined for the first two games and his status in question for tonight’s contest, along with the questionable performance from Mitch Marner thus far, Matthews and his top line might have to replicate their performance from game two or have a similar one if this team wants to come out victorious in these two home games.
You can read more about how the fans at Scotiabank Arena and the Toronto Maple Leafs fans watching around the world are ready for Auston Matthews to showcase his talents again for an encore in tonight’s game three preview here, by Arun Srinivasan.
Pregame details:
Toronto Maple Leafs’ lineup:
Tyler Bertuzzi – Auston Matthews – Max Domi
Matthew Knies – John Tavares – Mitch Marner
Nick Robertson – Pontus Holmberg – Calle Jarnkrok
Connor Dewar – David Kampf – Ryan Reaves
Morgan Rielly – Ilya Lyubushkin
Simon Benoit – Jake McCabe
Joel Edmundson – Timothy Liljegren
One lineup note: After missing the first two games of the series despite returning to the ice ahead of game two, William Nylander was seen on the ice this morning taking line rushes in Nick Robertson’s spot alongside Pontus Holmberg and Calle Jarnkrok on the third line. However, Auston Matthews was absent (rest) from the skate, and Robertson was a placeholder for him on the top line. Matthews has been confirmed as good to go tonight. But according to Mark Masters, Nylander stayed out late with the scratches, and Robertson did not, meaning Nylander’s status remains in the air despite Sheldon Keefe stating to the media that “there’s a chance” Nylander plays tonight.
Nick Robertson did NOT stay out late at Leafs skate @TSN_Edge
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 24, 2024
Boston Bruins’ lineup:
Danton Heinen – Pavel Zacha – David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand – Charlie Coyle – Jake DeBrusk
James van Riemsdyk – Morgan Geekie – Trent Frederic
John Beecher – Jesper Boqvist – Pat Maroon
Mason Lohrei – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Carlo
Parker Wotherspoon – Kevin Shattenkirk
Projected goalies:
Ilya Samsonov (TOR) vs Jeremy Swayman (BOS)
Broadcast:
Sportsnet, 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT
(Projected lineups from dailyfaceoff.com)
