Start on time. Be ready. Stick to the game plan and finish strong. That was basically the blueprint for the Boston Bruins as they finished with a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 1 of the first-round series Thursday night at TD Garden.
Start on time? Check. The Bruins were physical from the opening drop and never relented in that category. When the Maple Leafs pushed back, Boston stayed disciplined and it showed on the score sheet.
Be ready? Check. Many wondered if the Bruins would be able to flip the switch after a subpar performance to end the regular season. Well, they answered that question with authority.
Stick to the game plan? From start to finish.
Finish strong? The Bruins kept attacking and the Maple Leafs couldn't respond.
Here's everything else you need to know from the Bruins' win in quickie form with BSJ analysis.
Box score
HEADLINES
Extra special: Prior to the series, Cassidy said that the special teams battle between the clubs would be a wash. Well, maybe he meant "face wash" because that's how dominant the Bruins were on both special teams units. Boston went 3-for-6 on the power play with Brad Marchand, David Backes and David Krejci all scoring on the man-advantage. More importantly, the Bruins went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
"Ultimately, it was the difference," Cassidy said of special teams.
David Krejci with the power play geno! B’s up 5-1! #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/QL0gplD3qH
— Casey Baker (@CaseyBake16) April 13, 2018
Nazem Kadri. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? Awful, awful, AWFUL decision to make a dangerous run at Tommy Wingels while he's on his knees.
Despicable. pic.twitter.com/4rVfyC2zzY
— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) April 13, 2018