{"id":440233,"date":"2024-04-25T16:25:40","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T20:25:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=440233"},"modified":"2024-04-25T16:25:40","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T20:25:40","slug":"toronto-maple-leafs-boston-bruins-mid-series-first-round-playoff-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/04\/25\/toronto-maple-leafs-boston-bruins-mid-series-first-round-playoff-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Prior to Game 4, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins Mid-Series First Round Playoff Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

As\u00a0<\/span>promised<\/span>\u00a0we are back, this time with the mid-series update on the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> and Boston Bruins<\/a>. The teams\u00a0<\/span>are fully entrenched<\/span> in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff matchup. We at Last Word will be commenting on all the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoff series as they reach their respective mid-points. Coming into game three between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins, with the series deadlocked at a game apiece, it was screaming for an influential headline. As the old saying goes, you <\/span>aren\u2019t<\/span> in trouble until you lose at home. <\/span>However<\/span>, that\u00a0<\/span>doesn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0exactly apply here. Now with the series 2-1 in favour of the Bruins, they are heavy\u00a0<\/span>favourites to win the series<\/span><\/a> at -290. Game 4 will be back in Toronto, as the Leafs will be at home to the Bruins.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ahead of Game 4, Nylander’s Status Remains Biggest Storyline in Leafs vs Bruins<\/h2>\n

Look<\/span>\u00a0at the storylines<\/span>, and probably<\/span>\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>biggest<\/span>\u00a0story continues to be someone who\u00a0<\/span>hasn’t<\/span>\u00a0played in it.<\/span>\u00a0William Nylander<\/a> has not played yet in the series and is out with an undisclosed injury. Prior to game three, Head Coach Sheldon Keefe<\/a> had suggested that Nylander would be a possibility<\/a> to draw into the lineup.\u00a0<\/span>Conversely, he may have <\/span>very well been\u00a0<\/span>just<\/span> trying to\u00a0 answer the <\/span>reporter’s<\/span>\u00a0question<\/span>\u00a0and move on.<\/span>\u00a0Nylander is a\u00a0<\/span>huge<\/span>\u00a0part of the Leafs offence and finished second in team scoring with 40 goals and 58 assists for 98 points. His status remains day-to-day, so it is very mysterious if or when he\u00a0<\/span>is expected back<\/span>\u00a0in the lineup.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another Big Pre-Game 4 Mystery, Who Does the Bruins Start in Goal Against the Leafs?<\/h3>\n

Another story is about who is or\u00a0<\/span>isn’t<\/span>\u00a0playing, this time in the Boston goal. Will it be Jeremy Swayman<\/a> or Linus Ullmark<\/a> for game four of the series? In addition, you must consider how strong Swayman has played against the Leafs in 2023-24. Combining regular season and playoffs, he is 5-0 and carries a .957 SV%. Also, in his three regular-season appearances, he posted an outstanding GSAA of 5.4. <\/span>On the other<\/span>\u00a0hand, the Bruins lost game two, and Ullmark was in the net.\u00a0<\/span>In game three, the Leafs\u00a0<\/span>just<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>couldn’t<\/span>\u00a0seem to<\/span> break free when they needed it <\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0most.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether it was Mitch Marner<\/a> hitting John Tavares<\/a> in front with Swayman out of\u00a0<\/span>position,<\/span>\u00a0or Matthews ringing one off the pipe, Swayman\u00a0<\/span>just<\/span>\u00a0has their number. From an observer standpoint, it does seem difficult to go back to Ullmark for game four, but\u00a0<\/span>that’s<\/span>\u00a0what\u00a0<\/span>they’ve<\/span>\u00a0done all season.\u00a0<\/span>Now,<\/span>\u00a0the counterargument could be presented<\/span>, yes<\/span>, but if you win in five, Swayman will get plenty of rest ahead of a potential second-round matchup.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>At the end of the day,<\/span>\u00a0the Bruins\u00a0<\/span>just<\/span>\u00a0want to find the winning formula. And, of course, the Leafs want to disrupt that by any means necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Leafs Are Deeper than In Previous Seasons<\/h3>\n

When you really break down the Bruins game, what do they strategize? Against the Leafs, it seems when they get the lead, they are able to apply a simple but effective bend,\u00a0<\/span>don’t<\/span>\u00a0break type approach.\u00a0<\/span>That\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0difficult<\/span>\u00a0against Auston Matthews<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>If<\/span>\u00a0the Leafs\u00a0<\/span>others<\/span>\u00a0come through like Max Domi<\/a> did in game two, although partial credit to Matthews on the assist. But from tonight, the big Matthew Knies<\/a> 1-0 goal, the supporting cast does need to come through for the Leafs. The depth can ultimately become one of the Leafs biggest strengths.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The last factor for the Leafs to come through in this series is the physicality.\u00a0<\/span>This<\/span> has been a physical series, and in fact, the two teams’ total hits are within three of each other<\/span>, Boston<\/span>\u00a0leads with 168. That led Bruins captain Brad Marchand<\/a> to show humility and respect to the Leafs following the second game.\u00a0<\/span>Moreover, he was complimenting the Leafs, saying\u00a0<\/span>that<\/span>\u00a0they are a different team than years\u00a0<\/span>past<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0They play a physical style.<\/span><\/p>\n