Final: Bruins 5, Maple Leafs 1 -- A dominant performance in Game 1 taken at TD Garden (Bruins)

(Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Bruins

Final: Bruins 5, Maple Leafs 1 -- A dominant performance in Game 1

By Joe McDonald

Apr 12, 2018 • 5:00 pm

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The Boston Bruins accomplished everything they wanted to and dominated Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs en route to a 5-1 victory Thursday night at TD Garden.

The Bruins wanted to set the tone from the opening drop and did exactly that to take the early series lead. Boston was physical, won puck battles and finished, while receiving contributions from nearly every player in the lineup. The Bruins were solid on special teams and it proved crucial in the win.

Game 2 of this best-of-seven series is Saturday at 8 p.m. at TD Garden.

No matter the end result of this  series, no doubt it will not disappoint. It will be an entertaining matchup. It will be hard. It will be fast. It will be emotional. The wait is over. Enjoy.

Observations from the first period


  • Expect a hard, fast start from both teams.

  • Bruce Cassidy starting with Danton Heinen, Noel Acciari and David Backes, with Torey Krug and Kevan Miller on defense.

  • What a great opening shift from Boston's top line.

  • That's the kind of shift the Bruins need from Rick Nash.

  • I like how the Bruins are spreading out the ice early.

  • Nash's effort draws a penalty and the Bruins have the first PP of the game. Nash has been a beast to start, which bodes well.

  • Big time to capitalize on the power play as Brad Marchand finishes with a goal to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. Strong neutral zone attack and entry by Krug.





  • Just like that David Krejci going to the box for hooking. Bruins need a kill here to keep momentum.

  • Not only do the Bruins kill it off, but they create a couple of shorthanded opportunities.

  • That PK by the Bruins could be the turning point in this game. Still a lot of hockey to be played though.

  • Acciari with a Bergeron-esque play in the neutral zone. Thinking defense first.

  • Backes says to JVR, "Say hello to my little friend" and buries him into the ice during scrum.

  • I would take Leo Komarov on my team.

  • Charlie McAvoy with a bad turnover and Maple Leafs hit the post.

  • Nash is fully engaged.

  • Zach Hyman beats Krejci wide and beats McAvoy to the net to tie the game at 1-1. The end of a long shift for the Bruins.





  • That last play through the neutral zone by the Bruins was an emphasis during practice the last two days.

  • Another bad turnover by the Bruins, this time by Adam McQuaid.

  • Bruins need to cut down on the turnovers but keep the physical play going.


Observations from the second period


  • Acciari line starting the second.

  • What an outstanding defensive play by Grzelcyk in front in order to give Rask a clear view of the shot from the point. That's how you stick check a guy out of position.

  • Zdeno Chara going to the box for holding the stick. Another challenge for Boston's PK early in the second.

  • Bruins kill it off. However, a lot of running around.

  • A couple of smart offensive plays by McQuaid. Just gotta get that second shot on net. The first one was intended for Bergeron on the off-post.

  • Heinen needs to start doing more and making better decisions.

  • David Pastrnak has been staying wide when Bergeron and Marchand have effective spacing.

  • Andersen with a nifty glove save on Nash. That last net drive was a perfect example of a three-zone play. Bruins need more of that.

  • That's the fourth time Bergeron has been kicked out of the dot.

  • A few rookie mistakes by Grzelcyk in this game. He'll make up for it.

  • Bruins with some puck luck in the defensive zone.

  • Not fun to see a guy like Nash, who just returned from a concussion, take a swinging stick to the face and then get mauled to the ice.

  • Power play for Boston.

  • Just when the defense thinks Krejci is going to rifle a pass through the crease back to Heinen in the opposite circle, No. 46 slips the puck in front where Backes is waiting and drives it home to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead.





  • Make a list of the top five players in the NHL that make subtle plays and Krejci tops the list.

  • Looks like Bergeron had the wind knock out of him on that play along the half wall.

  • Acciari has been really good tonight. Some thought Toronto's speed up front would be a factor for him, but he's been thinking defense first.

  • Pastrnak with a shot from the high slot through traffic and the Bruins have a 3-1 lead with 38 seconds remaining in the period.

  • That play started with Rask playing the puck.





Observations from the third  period


  • Jake DeBrusk's compete level is spot on tonight.

  • Massive opportunity here for the Bruins on the power play.

  • Toronto kills it off.

  • Tommy Wingels draws a boarding penalty.

  • That's the perfect example of a double-barrel attack on the net. Sean Kuraly finishes with a goal to give the Bruins a 4-1 lead with 12:19 remaining in the third. What a phenomenal play by Kuraly.





  • Maple Leafs losing discipline. Kadri might get ejected for that second hit on Wingels.

  • Wingels is going to the room.

  • And, Kadri is gone as he should be. Disgusting hit.






    • Krejci with a power-play goal to give the Bruins a 5-1 lead. Again, Mr. Subtle.






Here’s what the Bruins’ lineup will look like for Game 1.
Forwards
Defense
Goalies
Here’s what the Maple Leafs’ lineup will look like for Game 1.
Forwards
Defense
Goalies

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