Toronto Maple Leafs

Atlantic Division Showdown: Leafs host Bruins
March 20, 2017, 10:50 AM ET [305 Comments]
Lucas Neilson
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The Toronto Maple Leafs started last week off with the stinker of the year versus the Florida Panthers. They then followed up suit with a full sixty minutes effort against the Lightning on Thursday and almost squeezed out two points against a powerhouse Blackhawks team Saturday night.

Toronto had a number of chances to end the game Saturday but was unable to cash in on any of the glorious opportunities that arose. The one that really stood out was the James van Riemsdyk breakaway in overtime; I thought for sure JVR was going to tuck that puck between the legs of Corey Crawford.

Nylander ripped one off the crossbar but it just seemed like the Leafs couldn’t get one more passed the Hawks tender as the game wound down. The good news was the lone goal scorer for the Buds was Auston Matthews who was in a scoring slump. My hope is that this gets the youngster back to his scoring ways and is able to help the Leafs out down the final stretch here as the going gets tough and each goal scored is that much more important.

The Leafs are right in the mix after cashing in a point versus Chicago, they really need to beat the Bruins tonight in regulation. As of now Boston is 3 points up on Toronto but the Leafs have a game in hand. Seeing as they are playing each other this game is crucial for both teams as the Bruins are trying to separate from the pack and the Leafs are trying to find their way into a top three spot in the Atlantic.

Boston is 7-3 in their last ten games and has picked up the pace tremendously after a weak start to the season. Tuukka Rask will be in net for the Bruins tonight and you can bet that Toronto will be starting Andersen.

The truth is, Boston is one of those teams I hate losing to. I can’t stand Marchand, Chara or Rask and you always have to keep an eye on that dirt bag Backes as he’s one who enjoys a cheap shot here and there. Bergeron is also another player the Leafs will have to keep an eye on, but Marchand and Pastrnak have done most of the damage for the Bruins this season. I’d rather see Marchand be part of the boards then have him raise his arms celebrating another goal. He’s a little puke and it’s time someone on the Leafs put him in his place!

Marchand has 37 goals, 41 assists, 21 power play points, 5 short-handed points and 7 game winning goals.

He’s been out of this world for Boston, I just hope that Babcock has Kadri draped over him all game, giving him very little space to move and groove and even less time to breath as he smothers him every time he touches the puck. It’s almost painful watching Marchand succeed that’s how I feel and I’m sure majority of Leafs fans feel the same way.

That water bottle toss in game seven...it still irks me to the day.

This week for the Leafs is as big as it gets, as we know there is only twelve games left in the season and four of them will be this week.

Boston – Monday, Columbus – Wednesday, New Jersey – Thursday, Buffalo – Saturday

What else stood out to me was Boston’s week ahead. They play Toronto tonight, Ottawa on Tuesday and then Tampa Bay and the Islanders; all teams that are in the hunt!

This could be a pivotal week for the Maple Leafs, let’s hope the boys are ready to skate, score and celebrate!

Thanks for reading, enjoy your week!

Go Leafs Go!