The Toronto Maple Leafs played much better in the second game of their best-of-seven series Tuesday, defeating the Boston Bruins by a score of 3-2.
Game one featured a poor effort from the Leafs as they lost 5-1 to the Bruins. Thanks to an absolutely fantastic performance by Auston Matthews the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to even the serires.
The Leafs were more composure in game two compared to game one and took fewer dumb penalties. I noticed in game one that every time the Bruins tried to get under the Leafs skin, the Leafs allowed it, and the Leafs retaliations caused them to lose focus. The Leafs looked more focused in game two and were better in how they handled the Bruins antics.
On Wednesday, the Leafs and Bruins will be in Toronto as the Leafs get set to host games three and four.
Toronto Maple Leafs Must Control Games Three and Four
There is a good chance that the Bruins will put Jeremy Swayman in net for game three. He was unbelievable in game one, and it is only because the Bruins swap goalies every other game that he didn't play last night. The Leafs need to find a way to beat Swayman at least once, since winning both games on home ice is crucial for the Leafs.
By no means will the task be easy, but Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe needs to take advantage of having the last line change. The Leafs stars will have an opportunity to take over this series. Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and others need to use home ice to their advantage. The Bruins will not get their most favorable matchups in games three and four, so it's up to the Leafs to capitalize.
The Leafs might finally get William Nylander and Bobby McMann back in the lineup. Both players have been out with undisclosed injuries.
Nylander has been skating and seen at Leafs practice, but there is no update on McMann. Hopefully, he will see some game action in this series. McMann worked his butt off this season and is one of the Leafs better forecheckers, and he provides the team with excellent depth scoring.
Nylander's ability to gain entry into the offensive zone and work the puck around on the power play are two things noticeably absent in the first two games. Being able to add one of the best players in the world to what has been a very even series so far gives the Leafs an obvious advantage.
Of course, there is no guarantee he plays. We'll find out on tonight if he's good to go for game three. Hopefully, McMann isn't far behind.