The time has come, the Bruins and Leaf seven game battle has ended, and we at Last Word are here to provide the series recap. Boston fans go home happy and Leaf fans can reflect. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins had a tight battle right to end of their 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Eastern Conference Quarterfinal matchup. When the Bruins were up 3-1, and superstar Auston Matthews‘ status up-in-the-air, many were predicting it would be a quick series. However, a goalie change, and the collective group of Leaf players stepping-up for their injured sniper, and they made a series out of it. Let’s take a look at what happened in the series, just as we had previously provided a series preview and a mid-series update.
The Leafs and Bruins Series Last Seven Games and Didn’t Disappoint
Given the seven game series came down to one game, let’s start by going over the series finale. The Bruins started well, in fact, it was their best start to a game over the previous three games. In contrast, this was thwarted by the Leafs goaltender for game seven, Ilya Samsonov, playing well. You may recall his tandem-mate, Joseph Woll had the start in the previous two games, both wins, and had only allowed a single goal in each game. But then ended up being unable to go, due to an injury that was only announced as the players were arriving at the rink for the game. But back to the game itself, as Samsonov played well, the Leafs also supported him by playing well defensively. However, with Boston having such a strong start, the Leafs did struggle to generate offence early on in the game.
The Leafs Top-Line Changed, but Played Well
The Leafs were able to turn the tide in game seven, just like they had done previously in the series itself against the Bruins. It was sparked by the Leafs patched together top line, having been formed when Matthews was unable to go for game five. Tyler Bertuzzi and Mitch Marner, two of Matthews’ usual linemates, were provided Max Domi as their replacement centre. That line was very effective at creating in the offensive zone when the were on the ice together. Another aspect that gave the Leafs confidence, was seeing their undisputed offensive leader back in action. Having missed the previous two games, with still mostly a mysterious ailment, Matthews did play well. He did not seem tentative, and was taking faceoffs. However, he did only have one offensive zone draw in the first period, it wasn’t really giving the Leafs strategy any impediments.
What Happened in Game 7 of the Bruins and Leafs Series
Therefore, as the second period wore on, the Leafs slowly started to come alive. Case in point, a couple net drives by Connor Dewar and Matthew Knies could’ve made for a much different game heading into the third period. The game was still tied 0-0 well into the third period, when Samsonov robbed Jake DeBrusk high glove. It wasn’t too much longer, and the play was down in the Boston end. Bertuzzi was forechecking hard, causing the defenceman to blow a tire. The puck popped out to none other than Auston Matthews. Then with Nylander coming-in late following the transition, received a soft pass from Matthews, and at 9:01 of the third, one-timed it home.
What Ultimately Determined the Series
So, that was it, right? The Leafs, who had looked like a new and improved defensive team, throughout their past two games especially, but all year really, just had to lock down the lead for the second half of the third period of game seven. When all of a sudden, Joel Edmundson saw his opportunity, and went straight to the net. He made a great attempt at a redirection, but Bruin goalkeeper, Jeremy Swayman, the Leafs arch-nemesis, was equal to the task.
In any sense, the heightened energy in the game that seems to arise from a scoreless deadlock, shifted to the Bruins. They were able to pin the Leafs deep. A puck flew over Samsonov’s net, when none other than Hampus Lindholm, yes, he who hadn’t scored a playoff goal since 2018, wristed one high on Samsonov and found twine. That was it, it just seemed like all the momentum the Leafs had throughout the middle of the game, seemed to escape. Even though it was not a typical third-period lead, the fact of the matter is, the Leafs blew a third-period lead, game seven of the playoff series. It’s hard to hear for any organization, but one that could spell change.
How Boston Saw it Unfold
The eventual winner was scored by Hampus Lindholm. On a cross corner dump in, it made a funny bounce near the Leafs goal. David Pastrnak was able to pick up the puck, and deke around the pad of Samsonov. Boston wins the series against the Leafs in seven games. This was a fitting conclusion, as David Pastrnak was making right the pleads of Head Coach Jim Montgomery on him needing to get going.
For the Bruins, let’s give credit where credit is due. The are a well coached team, especially from a systems point of view. That helps their players protect their goalies. For example, Mason Lohrei and his rangy stickhandling can be a game breaker like many of Bruin players can step up.
A Bittersweet End
Boston fans get to go home happy and the Leaf fans can get ready for the offseason. The Leafs can look back on the series, and say they gave it their best. Players stepped up in ultimate fashion given the ebbs and flows of the series. First it was Nylander missing time, and upon his return, Matthews went down. The Leafs battled back from being down 3-1. And both teams had various issues in net. It will go down as another great seven game matchup between the Bruins and Leafs, but the Leafs first round loss ringtone means a changing of the guard could come sooner rather than later.
Main photo: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
