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Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Playoff Predictions For Round 1 vs. Boston

By James Tanner

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 7: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Nashville Predators during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on January 7, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 7: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Nashville Predators during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on January 7, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 25: Toronto Maple Leafs Center Nazem Kadri (43) reacts after missing a shot during the NHL regular season game between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 25, 2019, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 25: Toronto Maple Leafs Center Nazem Kadri (43) reacts after missing a shot during the NHL regular season game between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 25, 2019, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Toronto Maple Leafs Barely Use 4th Line Centre

The Toronto Maple Leafs biggest advantage over Boston is their incredible depth down the middle.  Nazem Kadri could be the top centre on an OK team. He could be the #2 man on a contender.

On the Leafs, he’s #3 behind two of the five best centres in the world.  Matthews and Tavares create a combo matched only by Malkin/Crosby. The fact that the Leafs then follow that up with Kadri is just an embarrassment of riches.

The Leafs will have almost no reason to play their fourth line centre, and unless there’s a blow-out, I’d expect that we barely see Freddie Gauthier at even-strength.

The Leafs will grind down any team over seven games with their strength down the middle, and that is why I believe they will win the Stanley Cup.

Whichever one of Tavares or Matthews draws the easier matchup, look for them to have a huge series.  But Kadri is the guy to watch, because it appears he’s going to skate with William Nylander on a completely bonkers third line, that is pretty much a first line quality unit.

The Bruins, or anyone, can’t hope to match it.

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