The Toronto Maple Leafs have experienced their share of frustrations in recent years against the Boston Bruins, particularly their elimination in the first round last spring, but on Tuesday, they were finally able to celebrate victory for the first time in nine season meetings regular, with a score of 4-0.
The Maple Leafs’ failing numerical advantage has greatly affected the goals per game average of this team, which nevertheless has two dangerous first lines. He finally broke the deadlock with three successes, including those of Morgan Rielly and William Nylander in the space of 1:14 in the second period to take a 2-0 lead.
Matthew Knies also hit the target and added an assist, as did Nylander, who now has 10 goals. Rielly finished with three points and Steven Lorentz completed the scoring.
Anthony Stolarz earned his first shutout of the season after a superb 29-save performance, while thanking his posts on a Cole Koepke shot in the third period.
This eight-game losing streak tied the longest of its kind among the original six teams.
Meanwhile, the Bruins have been one of the most punished teams in the league since the start of the season and are paying for it after giving up seven power plays to the opponent.
The Leafs’ top line was reshaped tonight in the absence of captain Auston Matthews, who is dealing with an upper-body injury and whose health will be re-evaluated on a daily basis.
Max Domi was therefore promoted to the first line between Knies and Marner, as was the case during Games 5 and 6 that Matthews missed during the last series. Domi had done well to postpone the elimination of his team in match 7 before admitting defeat, but this change did not bring him out of his slump this time, having once again been cleared from the score sheet. pointing. He has six assists but no goals this season. He has not collected points in his last eight games.
David Pastrnak is often at his best against the Leafs, and it was he who caused Toronto’s loss by scoring the decisive goal in overtime in Game 7. He was unable to find the back of the net, but he was hit from behind by Chris Tanev in the first period and Brad Marchand came to his defense before a melee broke out, worthy of the tension that is often felt between the two teams.
Max Pacioretty, for his part, delivered a tough check on Andrew Peeke, who was hit in the head. The latter managed to return to the locker room by himself, but was unable to complete the match. Pacioretty was not sanctioned in the sequence.
