Keys For The Boston Bruins To Take A 3-1 Series Lead Over The Toronto Maple Leafs

By Jordan Long

The Boston Bruins lead the best of 7 series over the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1.   The Bruins won games 1 and 2 handily, outscoring the Maple Leafs 12-4. Of course, that was at home in Boston. In game 3 the Maple Leafs needed a victory and were the better team. They came away with a 4-2 win. Game 4 is tomorrow night.

The Bruins must play better in the neutral zone. They were unable to poke check the puck away from the Maple Leafs allowing Toronto to have scoring chances. The Bruins were lucky only 4 goals went in. It could have been much worse. Tuukka Rask saved them time and time again.

The Bruins must convert on power play chances. On the road they were 0-1. If they had scored, it could have turned the game around. On the other hand, the Bruins didn’t kill off their only penalty of the night and the Maple Leafs made them pay.

When the Bruins have their opportunity on the power play, set it up. They have one of the hardest shots in the NHL in defenseman Zdeno Chara. His one-timer generates chances, but the Bruins should create traffic in front of goaltender Frederik Andersen. If they do, that creates screens and he can’t see the puck which may be goals.

Defensively, the Bruins don’t have to change much. They were able to check the Maple Leafs off the puck but the Maple Leafs were the more aggressive team with 38 hits compared to the Bruins 26. The Bruins played a smart game and stayed out of the box.

For the Bruins to win this game tomorrow and have a 3-1 series lead, they need to continue to play their game. They will have their shots and hopefully that will lead to goals. The Bruins can’t allow Toronto to score the first goal. If they do the Maple Leafs may clog the neutral zone and make it difficult for the Bruins to skate into the offensive zone. Staying out of the box again is a must. The Maple Leafs are a talented team and can make the Bruins pay with a goal. The Bruins must create power play chances for them to score. Special teams will determine this game. Hopefully the Bruins head back to Boston up 3 games to 1.