Preview: Bruins Take on Rival Maple Leafs

This will be the second meeting of the season between these two Atlantic division rivals. In the last meeting between the clubs in October, the Maple Leafs walked away with a 4-1 victory. Toronto’s offense netted three first-period goals to help propel them to the win.

This could turn into a battle of young stars for both clubs. David Pastrnak will try to add to his NHL-leading 18 goals, while Auston Matthews will attempt to match Pastrnak’s dominance. Toronto has only been able to record two wins on the road this season, so this should be a good matchup for the Bruins at the TD Garden.


Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins

TD Garden-7:00 p.m. E.S.T

Broadcast Channels-NHL Network, CBC, NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

2016-17 Season Series: Maple Leafs Lead 1-0

Toronto Maple Leafs-10-10-5- 25 Points

Road Record: 2-6-5

Hot Players: James van Riemsdyk, Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner

Key Injuries: Joffrey Lupul

Projected Lines:

Forwards

Leo Komarov-Nazem Kadri-William Nylander

James van Riemsdyk-Tyler Bozak-Mitchell Marner

Zach Hyman-Auston Matthews-Connor Brown

Matt Martin-Ben Smith-Nikita Soshnikov

Defense

Morgan Rielly-Nikita Zaitsev

Jake Gardiner-Connor Carrick

Matt Hunwick-Roman Polak

Goaltender

Frederick Andersen

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Boston Bruins-15-11-2-32 Points

Home Record: 7-6-0

Hot Players: David Pastrnak, Tuukka Rask

Key Injuries: Matt Beleskey, John-Michael Liles, Frank Vatrano

Projected Lines:

Forwards

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak

Tim Schaller-David Krejci-David Backes

Ryan Spooner-Riley Nash-Austin Czarnik

Anton Blidh-Dominic Moore-Jimmy Hayes

Defense

Zdeno Chara-Brandon Carlo

Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid

Kevan Miller-Colin Miller

Goaltender

Tuukka Rask


Game Notes

[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]1)[/miptheme_dropcap] Both teams have identical a 4-4-2 records in their last 10 games. That will change after tonight’s game.

 

[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]2)[/miptheme_dropcap] The Maple Leafs were able to beat the Bruins in October, but since then they have struggled to secure wins, especially on the road.

 

[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]3)[/miptheme_dropcap] David Pastrnak leads the NHL in goals with 18 and is coming off a two-goal performance in his last game.

 

[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]4)[/miptheme_dropcap] The Bruins lead the all-time series against the Maple Leafs with a record of 295-259-98-11.

 

[miptheme_dropcap style=”normal” color=”#222222″ background=””]5)[/miptheme_dropcap] The Bruins are currently sitting in third place in the Atlantic Division, while Toronto sits in last place.

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The Bruins saw their six-game point streak come to an end Thursday night, so they will be looking to get back on track against the last place Maple Leafs. Tuukka Rask will get the start in goal to try and shut down the high-scoring offense of the Leafs. Despite their lopsided records, these two rivals always play each other hard, and this game should be no different.