Kasperi Kapanen’s short-handed breakaway goal against the Bruins in Game 7 provided a snapshot of two narratives of the first-round series against the Maple Leafs.
There was Tuukka Rask, sprawled out and desperate to make a pad save as Kapanen deked until he found an opening. Had the Maple Leafs held onto that 4-3 lead in Game 7, that goal would have left a sour taste over the long offseason. Yet it would have been a top-notch save from Rask, who was left all alone to defend Kapanen on the breakaway.
At the other end was Brad Marchand, who lost the battle for the loose puck on the power play and lost his edge on the ice. Marchand tumbled, and the defensive mishap cleared the lane for Kapanen.
OH. MY. WORD. WHAT. A. GOAL.
KASPERI KAPANEN WITH THE UNREAL FORECHECK TO GET THE BREAKAWAY AND THEN BEAUTIFUL MOVE TO BEAT RASK AND GIVE THE LEAFS THE LEAD! WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EFFORT!
#TMLTalk 4 - 3 #NHLBruins
(#BOSvTOR - Series Tied At 3) #Game7 pic.twitter.com/XW5TfE618D
— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) April 26, 2018