The theme for the Bruins coming into the 2024 postseason was that they weren’t going to live in the past – referencing last year’s record setting wins and points totals that only led to a first round exit. Boston was up 3-1 against Florida before dropping Game 7 to the Panthers – and surprise that same scenario has played out against Toronto. Can the Maple Leafs make history repeat itself on the road at TD Garden?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both of these clubs have made the playoffs for eight consecutive years, so they should each be used to the high pressure situations of postseason hockey. One advantage Toronto might have is that they’ve essentially played two consecutive elimination games after being down 3-1 and this is basically free ice time at this point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the reasons the Maple Leafs played loose in getting two wins to even up the series is because they weren’t given much of a chance with superstar Auston Matthews<\/strong> missing two straight games with an illness. Matthews’ status for Game 7 is still unknown<\/a>, but Toronto still has a lot of offensive talent and goaltender Joseph Woll<\/strong> has been standing on his head stopping 49 of the last 51 shots he’s faced – with one of those goals coming with 0.1 seconds left on Thursday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n