FINAL: Bruins 4, Maple Leafs 1 - Bruins dominate Toronto with three goals in second period

The Bruins dominated the Maple Leafs for the second time in one week defeating them by a score of 4-1 at TD Garden on Thursday night. The Bruins did an outstanding job throughout, especially coming out strong in the first period as they killed Toronto in shots on goal. Boston's power play got back on track tonight scoring two goals, one by David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie respectively. 

Trent Frederic also stood out to me tonight by forcing a turnover which led to a breakaway goal. 

The only worry that was felt during this game came in the second period when Mitch Marner scored on the man advantage which made it a one goal game. Other than that, the Bruins scored thee goals in the second  to put this one away. Boston has now swept Toronto for the season series capped off by dominating fashion. As of the standings currently, Boston would be lined up to face the Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs which might be a better matchup considering the success they have had against them. Although, the slate gets wiped clean once the playoffs begin. 

The Bruins will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 3 p.m. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Bruins have now swept Toronto for the season series.  
• Boston scored three goals in the second period. 
• The Bruins dominated the game throughout and came out physical to start the game. There was a lot of tension back and forth throughout the night in a classic Original Six matchup. 
• Boston recognized the early 2000s team as well as the 2011 championship team before the game tonight. 

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

3. Brandon Carlo (One goal) 

2. Brad Marchand (Two assists)

1. Jeremy Swayman (28 saves)

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WHO: Maple Leafs (36-18-8) at  Bruins (36-13-15)
WHEN: 7 p.m. 
WHERE: TD Garden, Boston. 
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub
LIVE BOX SCORE
ROSTERS

 Grzelcyk –  McAvoy
 Lohrei –  Carlo
 Wotherspoon –  Shattenkirk

 Swayman
 Ullmark

MAPLE LEAFS
Knies-Matthews-Marner
Bertuzzi-Domi-Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Jarnkrok
Gregor-Kampf-Reaves
Brodie-McCabe
Rielly-Lyubushkin
Benoit-Liljegren
Woll
Samsonov

PREGAME NOTES
The Bruins return to action tonight as they welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to TD Garden. Boston will behonoring their early 2000s and 2011 Stanley Cup Championship team tonight to wrap up their Centennial celebrations. Players that will be in attendance include: Zdeno Chara, David Krejci, Tim Thomas, Claude Julien, Andrew Ference, Michael Ryder, Dennis Seidenberg, Daniel Paille, P.J. Axelsson, P.J. Stock, Byron Dafoe, Hal Gill, Mike Knuble and Kyle McLaren.

The Bruins hold a six-game winning streak versus Toronto entering tonight including their 4-1 win back in Toronto on Monday. “Just because we’ve won in the past doesn’t mean [anything],” Brad Marchand told reporters. “It’s not going to have an impact on any game moving forward. It’s a game we get up for. They’re a very gifted and talented team…we feel that every time we go to that building and every time they come here it’s exciting and one we look forward to," Marchand continued. 

Derek Forbort did not participate in morning skate today and is considered day-to-day. Hampus Lindholm participated in morning skate and continues to make strides after missing the last eight games due to an injury. "Still not an option but he’s getting closer every day," Jim Montgomery said. 

Boston faces a Toronto team that is coming off a 2-1 overtime win over Buffalo on Wednesday night. The Maple Leafs also made two trades today acquiring defenseman Joel Edmundson from the Washington Capitals and then Cade Webber from the Carolina Hurricanes. Neither player will be available for the game tonight. Austin Matthews leads the team in goals (54) and William Nylander leads in points (84). Toronto owns the second best power play in the NHL (27.6%) trailing only the Lightning.