The Boston Bruins will play host to divisional rival Toronto tonight at TD Garden. The Leafs (30Pts, 3rd place) come into this showdown in a superb position to leapfrog Boston (31Pts, 2nd place) in the Northeast standings. The Bruins, losers of two straight, will look to get back to their winning ways. The Maple Leafs, winners of three straight and seven of ten, hope to keep things rolling. This meeting will mark the second of four games slated between the two squads this season. Chris Bourque registered his lone goal of the season in a narrow 1-0 victory over the Leafs back on February 2.
The Northeast Division has quietly and collectively been playing some brilliant hockey this season. To this point it has been the strongest division in the conference. The Bruins, Canadiens, Maple Leafs, and Senators are all within four points of one another and each respectively sit among the top eight in the Eastern Conference playoff race. This turnaround being drastically different from a season ago in which we saw the Bruins dominate and dismantle their divisional foes on a nightly basis. In a strike-shortened season these divisional games bare increased importance. Points will certainly be at a premium as the year progresses. With Toronto hot on their tail, capturing two points is a must for Boston.
Since ripping off six victories in a row, Boston seems to have hit their first roadblock. Following a pair of distressing losses to Montreal and Washington, the Bruins will look to bounce back with a big win. Doing so would require overcoming a formidable opponent with two crucial points on the line. Inconsistent play in key moments has proven costly of late. The Bruins know they must play with a dire sense of urgency to reassure themselves that their recent play is just a minor hiccup, nothing more.
The Bruins have surrendered seven regulation goals over the last two games and an additional overtime tally. Johnny Boychuk, Dougie Hamilton, and Dennis Seidenberg posted a combined uncharacteristically poor minus six rating in a loss to the Capitals. Furthermore debatable, the loss of Zdeno Chara to a lengthy seventeen-minute penalty didn't help the cause in a losing effort to Montreal. With excuses and statistics aside, one thing is clear, the Bruins would benefit greatly in returning to their lock down defensive ways.
The Maple Leafs, one of the leagues best traveling teams, roll into town sporting a 9-4 road record. This mark ties them for tops in the East with Pittsburgh. Toronto has put on a scoring exhibition over its last five games (20 goals) en route to posting a 4-1 record. That stat alone will surely get the attention of the Bruins coaching staff. Fully expect Boston to be ready and thoroughly prepared to counter the likes of Nazem Kadri (24 Pts, 10 goals/14 assists), Phil Kessel (20 Pts, 6 goals/14 assists), James van Riemsdyk (19 Pts, 13 goals/6 assists), and offensive minded defensemen Cody Franson (14 assists) through the reemergence of a strategic attack centered around a ramped up physical game in all three zones.
An improved defensive effort will surely help, but by no means be sufficient if the Bruins hope to post one in the win column. Boston is reeling and the Leafs are well aware of that. Expect Toronto, coached by Randy Carlyle, now in his first full year at the helm, to come out guns blazing. With first place in their sights coupled with the opportunity to upset a hated opponent, the Leafs will have more than enough incentive to emerge victorious. All signs seem to point to a blue-collar, rough, and rugged matchup. Each side has multiple bruisers that are in no way afraid to stir it up. Look for Boston to push the envelope since success is generally found when the game is played into their hands.
The Bruins have been hammered in the media over the past couple of days. Criticized for a lack of ‘killer instinct', their poor defensive breakdowns, and the inability to generate production from its so-called ‘third line.' Boston very rarely strings multiple losses together. They are a war-tested bunch that I believe are far superior to their opponent in this one. When adversity rears its ugly head and the doubters start to chime in, the Boston Bruins play their best hockey.
The Bruins boast one of the NHL's best records at 14-3-3. That mark is no fluke. Just as we all are, the guys who rock the ‘spoked B' on a nightly basis are indeed human. Achieving perfection night in and night out is easier said than done. It is not losing the past two contests that have people chattering, but yet the manner in which the losses unfolded. A 15-9-0 Maple Leafs club would be more than delighted to keep the Bruins at bay.
The Bruins have showcased a model of consistency, grit, and an unwavering will to win over the past few years. Tonight the Bruins will be determined to show their resiliency, administer a beating of the outmatched Leafs, and ultimately put an end to the superfluous sense of uneasiness that has taken a hold of Bruins fans. Look for the Bruins to rekindle their mojo and overcome the streaking Leafs in what will be a classic bout.
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