Public Skate: 1st Period - Bruins at Maples Leafs

Breathing room. That's what the Bruins have just a little more off as of puck drop tonight. Holding a 1-point lead for the final spot in the Atlantic division, Boston saw the Detroit Red Wings get absolutely trounced at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this afternoon by a final of 7-2. The Wings' game-in-hand over Boston was five goals short of having any effect, as they now sit on the outside looking in with the same amount of games remaining in the season.

The Bruins need to capitalize on this opportunity. Boston goes into the Air Canada Centre tonight with a hell of a lot of desperation, and a much healthier roster top to bottom. Brad Boyes returns for Toronto, but the Leafs will be without Leo Komarov, their 2nd-highest scorer. The Bruins will hope to take advantage of a young Leafs defense, along with the Jekyll & Hyde goaltending of Jonathan Bernier, and hopefully put a healthy amount of pucks in the back of the net.

Tuukka Rask was first off the ice, so he'll be getting the start for Boston. Rask is lights out against Toronto in the regular season, at 14-3-2 over his career with a .934 SV% and 1.92 GAA. If the Bruins scoring woes continue, he'll need to be at the top of his game.