Leafs defeat Bruins in Game 6

William Nylander scored two times and Joseph Woll made 22 saves because the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday to drive Recreation 7 of their first-round line.

Toronto has now gained two instantly — together with Tuesday’s 2-1 extra time victory in Recreation 5 — next falling at the back of their Unedited Six rival 3-1 to drive a winner-take-all finale Saturday in Boston.

Jeremy Swayman cancelled 24 photographs for the Bruins, who additionally blew a 3-1 manage in opposition to the Florida Panthers in latter spring’s first around sooner than shedding in Recreation 7 following a record-setting habitual season. Morgan Geekie scored, ruining Woll’s shutout with 0.1 seconds left.

The Leafs have been minus Auston Matthews for a 2d instantly removal match next the famous person centre used to be pulled from Recreation 4 with an infection and next ignored Tuesday’s 2-1 extra time victory at TD Grassland that saved Toronto alive.

The winner of Leafs-Bruins will whisk at the well-rested Florida Panthers, who crowned the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 in that line, in the second one around.

Leafs have battled again in opposition to Bruins sooner than

Nylander snapped a 0-0 connect with 54.8 seconds left in the second one length with a few of his patented Swedish taste. The slick winger took a cross from Timothy Liljegren within the offensive zone sooner than weaving clear of his take a look at and firing a shot that glanced off Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy in entrance and beat Swayman at the shortside.

The purpose prompt wild celebrations within an electrical Scotiabank Enviornment — and outdoor the rink as Maple Leaf Sq. was a mosh pit of blue and white.

Leafs captain John Tavares had a superior probability that whistled simply huge sooner than Woll going to paintings. Upcoming a shot pinballed simply huge with the Bruins humming, the rookie goaltender made a abundance prohibit with the glove on Charlie Coyle in tight to deafening benevolence.

Boston persisted to press, however Toronto made it 2-0 with 2:13 left in legislation when Nylander moved in unloved next taking a cross from Matthew Knies and slid a backhand between Swayman’s pads.

Geekie scored with 0.1 to break Woll’s first occupation shutout.

Matchup historical past

The Leafs battled again from 3-1 deficits in opposition to Boston in 2013 and 2018 sooner than shedding in seven.

Toronto held a 3-2 manage in opposition to the Bruins in 2019, however next dropped two instantly for a 3rd line loss in opposition to Boston in seven years.

The Leafs, who led 12-2 at the shot clock next the primary length of Recreation 5, got here out aviation once more Thursday with a pair just right probabilities in a bodily opening 20 mins that noticed the groups mix for 48 hits.

Toronto’s energy play games had some significance appears on its first alternative, however dropped to 1-for-18 within the line sooner than Knies — Tuesday’s OT hero — had a superior probability on Swayman’s doorstep on the buzzer as the house facet outshot Boston 21-1.

Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe had an incredible glance from the slot early in the second one sooner than Boston famous person David Pastrnak took a double-minor for high-sticking, however Toronto once more may just get not anything going with the person merit.

Woll makes NHL historical past

The Bruins in spite of everything registered their 2d shot greater than 27 mins into the sport, and Woll needed to be bright on a pair Pastrnak efforts and a Jake DeBrusk probability.

Toronto’s under-fire penalty blast — with six objectives in opposition to in 14 probabilities those playoffs getting into Thursday — held company upcoming within the length.

Woll needed to manufacture two large stops with the groups again even off McAvoy’s persist with all set the level for Nylander on the alternative finish.

The 25-year-old become the primary goaltender in NHL historical past to have each and every of his first 4 occupation playoff begins are available attainable removal video games. Thatcher Demko (2020), Michael Hutchinson (2020) and Manny Fernandez (2003) are the one alternative netminders to have their first 3 begins are available win-or-go house contests.

Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves used to be a wholesome scratch. Toronto winger Noah Gregor noticed his first motion of the line. Morgan Rielly had two assists.

The Bruins have been with out ahead Danton Heinen. Head trainer Jim Sir Bernard Law stated following Boston’s morning skate he’s indexed as daily. John Beecher took Heinen’s spot within the lineup.

Veteran defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk returned to the wrinkle next being changed via Matt Grzelyk in Recreation 5.