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

Weaknesses

Depth

“Top-heavy” is probably the most succinct description of Toronto’s roster. The level of talent and production drops off significantly after the top; they’ve gotten next-to-nothing from their bottom two lines as well as most of their defensive pairings. Star defenseman Morgan Rielly has played well, but the rest of the defense has been something of a revolving door. Offensively, Matthew Knies and Nicholas Robertson provide the occasional spark, but it’s been something of a struggle for the rest of the roster. 

Penalty Kill

Toronto’s power play is excellent, but their penalty kill is not. The Leafs kill penalties at just a 76.9% rate, well below league average, and they’ve shown little in the way of improvement. On top of that, Toronto surrendered the fourth-most penalty minutes in the regular season; power-play goals were primary causes for several regular-season losses. Especially against a team that relies so heavily on the power play, cleaning up penalties and playing 5-on-5 hockey will be decisive.

History

Read into it what you will, but the Bruins have defeated the Maple Leafs in each of their last six playoff meetings. In fact, Toronto hasn’t come out on top in a head-to-head series since 1959, when the NHL consisted of six teams.

We all remember 2013, when Patrice Bergeron’s Game Seven overtime winner capped a comeback for the ages; we can picture 2018, when the Bruins scored seven in Game Seven to send Toronto home. Hell, even 2019’s Stanley Cup heartbreak included a defeat of Toronto, when Tuukka Rask’s Game Seven heroics once again stymied the Leafs. How much any of those series might impact this one is up for debate, but it’s safe to say history is not on Toronto’s side.