Toronto Maple Leafs: Round One, Game Two Headlines

The Toronto Maple Leafs have the opportunity to take a stranglehold on their series tonight as they prepare for Game Two.

It’s hard to imagine the series starting off on a better foot for the Maple Leafs thus far. Lacking home-ice advantage once again in a first-round meeting with the Bruins, Toronto walked into Boston’s building on Thursday night and put forth what may have been their best effort of the entire 2018-19 season.

What’s more, Game One also served as a contender for Mike Babcock‘s best performance as Leafs’ bench boss. The veteran coach managed to gain the matchup edge almost immediately from puck drop, opting to allow his team to play their signature style in lieu of getting caught up in mimicking that of their opponent.

The result? A statement 4-1 victory to give the Leafs a coveted 1-0 series lead.

The hard work is still yet to come, however. With the stage now set, Game Two is shaping up to be an ever tighter matchup than the one before, with the Bruins fully prepared for the onslaught they’re about to face.

Before it kicks off, let’s comb through some of the pre-game headlines.

David Backes Is In

With the decision to ice his “fast lineup” ultimately proving unsuccessful, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy has opted to pivot in the other direction, announcing that David Backes will be inserted into Boston’s lineup tonight after serving as a healthy scratch for Game One.

The 2018-19 season has not been a kind one to Backes.

Receiving fewer minutes per game than he ever has throughout his entire 10-year career, Backes finished with his lowest point total, as well. In 70 games, Tthe 32-year-old managed a mere 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points, reportedly being forced to accept an “enforcer role” in order to stay in the lineup.

Backes certainly won’t add any speed to Boston’s attack, but his inclusion into the Game Two lineup reads as a conscious effort on the Bruins’ part to fully embrace a physical style of play.

Given the speed the Maple Leafs’ house on their fourth line, headed up by Connor Brown and Trevor Moore, that may not result in the solution Cassidy intends it to be.

Look At This Hit

This isn’t a headline, but it deserves attention nonetheless.

Your eyes do not deceive you. That is indeed 5’10 Trevor Moore completely demolishing a 6’9 Zdeno Chara. The broadcast missed it, but Twitter never forgets.

Show this to your uncle the next time he complains about how the Leafs lack “grit”.

Puck drops at 8:00 PM.

All gifs or footage courtesy of CBC & Rogers Sportsnet