The Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs are facing off in the first round of the NHL Playoffs, with the Bruins currently holding a 3-1 lead in the series. This Saturday’s game will be the ninth time the two teams have met this season, with the Bruins coming out on top in their previous matchup with a score of 3-1.
The Bruins have a strong overall record of 47-20-15 and have been particularly dominant within the Atlantic Division with a 21-6-3 record. The Maple Leafs hold a slightly less impressive 46-26-10 overall record, with a 12-15-3 record against the Atlantic Division.
Both teams have been performing well this season, but their strengths lie in different areas. The Bruins have been able to score goals quickly and efficiently, averaging 2.9 goals per game, while also boasting a proficiency in power play situations, scoring one or more goals in games where they use their man advantage effectively. On the other hand, the Maple Leafs have focused on defense and discipline, allowing only 261 goals while scoring an impressive 298 goals themselves for an impressive scoring differential of +37.
Key players to watch in this matchup include David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand for the Bruins, who have been performing well with 47 goals and 63 assists respectively over their last ten games. For the Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews and John Tavares have been standout performers with six goals and one assist each over their last ten games.
In terms of recent performance, both teams are looking good: The Bruins have a record of 6-4-0 in their last ten games while being averaging around three points per game , while Toronto has a record of 5 -5 -0 , showing resilience on defense but struggling to keep up offensively .