Bruins vs Maple Leafs XVII: Strengths, Weaknesses, and a Prediction

Boston Bruins: 47-20-15, 109 PTS

Strengths:

Goaltending

Boston’s tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman propelled them to an excellent 2022-23 season, and it’s done the same this year. While Ullmark isn’t quite in the form that earned him the 22-23 Vezina Trophy, he’s still been superb, and Swayman has continued his growth. Both goalies have save percentages hovering just below 92%, they each allow around 2.5 goals per game, and they’ve each played in 40 or more games. Swapping goalies on a game-to-game basis isn’t common in the playoffs, but Montgomery has repeatedly supported the idea, and the presence of two stud netminders allows the Bruins to ride the hot hand whenever they can.

David Pastrnak

He’s rightly criticized for his turnover issues, and he’s not great on the forecheck. But, at the end of the day, the game is decided by goals, and few are better at turning chances into goals than David Pastrnak. The Bruins are much better when he’s on the ice - he swings Boston’s “chances for” by nearly 7% when he plays. The right-winger leads the team in points (110), goals, and assists, and he paces all Bruins forwards in ice time. If the Bruins are to advance, Pastrnak's regular season play has to continue.

Special Teams

Boston’s done a solid job this season in both converting their power play opportunities and killing off opponents’. The Bruins’ power play scores 22.2% of the time, and kills penalties at an 82.5% clip, both well above league-average. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy has played a key role, logging 13 power-play points while also acting as the team’s primary penalty-killer. Veteran forward Brad Marchand plays integral roles on both sides of special teams, as well.

Now what about Boston's weaknesses?