Toronto Maple Leafs: Round One, Game Five Headlines

The Toronto Maple Leafs head back to Boston tonight with the potential to take sole control over their first-round series.

We all knew this series was going the full seven. You knew it, I knew it, even your dog knew it.

Sure, it doesn’t have to be this way. The Maple Leafs will indeed enter Boston tonight with the opportunity to take a 3-2 stranglehold and leave with the potential to eliminate the Bruins back in Toronto on Sunday. And while that is certainly a possibility, fans should still prepare themselves for as dramatic an ending as possible. It’s fate, you see.

But before the most pivotal game of the series thus far kicks off, let’s comb through some pre-game headlines.

Hyman is OK

Things didn’t look good for Zach Hyman on Wednesday night. After crashing into the boards in the third period of Game Four and struggling to get off the ice, those who saw the fall quickly began to worry that the hard-nosed winger may not be capable of suiting up for another bout less than 48 hours later.

Thankfully, all seems to be fine.

Hyman was a full participant in the Maple Leafs’ team skate earlier this morning, as Paul Hendrick reported above, and all signs point to the 26-year-old assuming his usual position in the lineup ahead of tonight’s clash.

Balance has been restored.

Losing Hyman, particularly with Nazem Kadri out as well, would have been devastating to Mike Babcock‘s club. Hyman is an integral part of the Maple Leafs’ attack, both on and off the scoresheet. His physical presence and ability to create separation along the boards is an asset of extreme value when going up against such a physical Bruins team. Not to mention, Hyman even managed to score the 2-1 goal early in Game Four, allowing Toronto to get themselves back in the action after surrendering two markers against within the first seven minutes.

He is expected to once again skate alongside John Tavares and Mitch Marner.

Sean Kuraly Back In

Whereas the Maple Leafs will see one of their regulars remain in the lineup, Boston is prepared to welcome one of theirs back following a lengthy absence.

As John Shannon reported earlier this morning, Bruins centre Sean Kuraly will make his series debut tonight, returning to action after a 14-game which has kept him out March 21st. Kuraly is an undoubtedly key addition to the Bruins’ attack, particularly so late in this series. The 26-year-old finished the regular season with 8 goals, 13 assists and 21 points in 71 games, and his injection back into the bottom-six will significantly aid Boston’s fourth line which had previously been decimated by Toronto’s Trevor Moore – Frederik Gauthier – Tyler Ennis trio.

In a series as tight as this, every advantage matters. Kuraly could prove to be exactly that.

Puck drops at 7:00 PM