Bruins-Maple Leafs Game 7: X factors, preview, predictions

It all comes all the way down to this. After it regarded just like the Boston Bruins had been going to breeze proper by an imploding Toronto Maple Leafs staff, the blue and white stormed again to take Games 5 and 6.

Now it’s 3-3 within the sequence, and a visit to the second spherical is on the road between the rivals as they face off in Game 7 Saturday night time in Boston (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+).

Which gamers shall be most important to their staff’s success? And who wins the sport?

Who is the one key participant you’ll be awaiting the Bruins?

Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter: Charlie Coyle. Coyle has two assists and 0 targets by way of six video games towards the Maple Leafs. It’s a bit jarring, contemplating he scored a career-high 25 targets and 60 factors this common season (each third most on the staff). That allowed the Bruins to get by with out extra established top-six choices down the center.

This additionally goes again to Jim Montgomery saying he wants extra from his stars. Although he was speaking largely about Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, the regular-season numbers Coyle put up imply there are expectations for him as properly.

Kristen Shilton, NHL reporter: Jeremy Swayman. That’s assuming Jim Montgomery doesn’t go fully off the deep finish and begin Linus Ullmark in Game 7. Swayman has been the Bruins’ spine on this sequence and their most constant performer — with the .947 save proportion and 1.60 goals-against common to show it.

But whereas Swayman has been wonderful in these playoffs — and was nice in Boston’s final postseason go-around, too — he has by no means gained an elimination recreation. That will clearly have to alter in Game 7 for the Bruins to advance. Montgomery stated earlier within the first spherical he thought Swayman was within the Leafs’ heads a bit bit. Well, now it’s time for Swayman to point out that script hasn’t flipped to the place Toronto is messing with his mojo.

Greg Wyshynski, NHL reporter: Brad Marchand. These are the moments that outline a participant’s captaincy. I spoke with Marchand earlier than the season, and nobody was extra disgusted with Boston squandering its sequence towards the Florida Panthers than he was, feeling that the Bruins value two of their gamers — Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci — the “fairy-tale ending” that they deserved.

Marchand didn’t have a degree in Game 7 towards the Panthers final season. He hasn’t hit the rating sheet up to now two losses to the Maple Leafs. He didn’t have a shot on purpose in Game 5, and he has six penalty minutes mixed in these two losses. He’s the heartbeat of the Bruins. If he’s not a difference-maker in Game 7, it’s one other “fairy tale” with “THE END” printed on web page one for Boston.

Who is the one key participant you’ll be awaiting the Maple Leafs?

Clark: Max Domi. What Domi completed within the playoffs final yr by serving to the Stars get to the Western Conference finals confirmed he is usually a key participant for a playoff contender. He leads the Maple Leafs in factors, and he has regarded like one among their higher gamers to this stage.

Three of his 4 factors have been assists, which implies he’s in a position to facilitate play for others. But it additionally goes again to what he did final yr. The 13 factors Domi had in 19 playoff video games with the Stars is what made him such a horny choice in free company. Now it’s about seeing whether or not Domi can proceed constructing his postseason résumé with the type of efficiency that may get the Leafs into the second spherical.

Shilton: Mitch Marner. There’s one thing about Auston Matthews not being within the Leafs’ lineup — it simply brings out the very best in Marner. He was sensational for Toronto in Games 5 and 6, revealing a confidence and willpower at each ends of the ice that was missing in his earlier playoff performances.

Where Marner might have extra of an impression is on the scoresheet. He has only one purpose and two assists by way of the six video games, and whereas Toronto has benefitted in its comeback from contributions outdoors the core, it might be a lift for each Marner and the Leafs to see him capitalize on these golden alternatives (like when his shot went off the submit in Game 6). It seems like Marner remains to be on the cusp of a breakthrough, production-wise. There’s no time like Game 7 to make {that a} actuality.

Wyshynski: Joseph Woll. Stanley Cup playoff historical past contains a lot of rookie goalies popping off and turning into postseason heroes. I’m not saying Joseph Woll goes to be Ken Dryden or Patrick Roy and even Cam Ward, however he has given the Leafs every thing they want in purpose proper now: a .964 save proportion and an 0.86 goals-against common in his two video games since changing Ilya Samsonov.

The big goaltending benefit Boston had with Jeremy Swayman has been mitigated. We’ve received some proof of idea now with Woll, as he performed properly in final season’s playoffs, too. The Leaf-iest factor can be for Woll to soften down and quit three targets within the first 10 minutes in Game 7 on the highway. But at this level, I’d be stunned if the rookie goalie prices them the sport — and never stunned in any respect if he’s the rationale they win it.

The remaining rating shall be _____.

Clark: 4-3 Bruins in OT. How a lot did the Bruins study from final yr’s first-round exit, and might they keep away from an analogous destiny Saturday? Those are the 2 main questions they’ll be searching for to reply. One method to reply these questions is by establishing the “big period” like they did in Game 1, once they scored three targets within the second interval and once more in Game 3 once they scored three within the remaining body.

Maybe that occurs. Or possibly it’s too late given how they’ve regarded in Games 5 and 6. But if the Bruins need to win this recreation, it’s about looking for that one interval by which they’ll pump in a number of targets, with these targets coming from totally different elements of their lineup.

Shilton: 2-1 Leafs. Scoring has been at a premium these days on this sequence, and given how properly Swayman and Woll are enjoying, Game 7 doesn’t venture as a barn burner. Boston was in management, however now the Bruins look misplaced at occasions.

Toronto has performed with Game 7 ranges of urgency twice already, and Boston should match that on the fly come Saturday — whereas grappling with how they went from dominant to docile so shortly. The Bruins have had their probabilities to shut the Leafs out, however Toronto has snatched all of the momentum; plus, the Leafs have been a terrific highway staff all season (and on this sequence).

Wyshynski: 3-1 Leafs. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery went from calling their first-round catastrophe final season a teachable second after Game 5 to declaring that Boston is just not dwelling up to now after Game 6. Sorry, however the déjà vu is just too robust right here: 3-1 lead, additional time loss at house, loss on the highway, again to Boston for Game 7.

The Bruins look gradual. They look ineffective. The Leafs are enjoying the type of easy, straight-ahead recreation the Bruins was identified for taking part in: dominating zone time and the face-off circle. I’m undecided Boston can flip the script. The Bruins have misplaced six straight video games with an opportunity to clinch a playoff sequence, tied for the seventh-longest streak by any staff in NHL historical past.

We all assumed the stress of a Game 7 in Boston would crush the Maple Leafs. At this level, is there any query that the Bruins are those with the flop sweat?