clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Fresh Links: A New Leaf

Either Toronto turns over a new leaf at home, or falls to the brink of elimination tonight against Boston

By Giesse

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins
Auston did not have a very successful time in Boston (Tuukka Rask and Zdeno Chara look on)
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a precarious position as they host the Boston Bruins in Game #3 tonight at 7:00 PM on NESN and NBCSN.

  • The Maple Leafs are looking to flip the script at home. Expect to see Frederik Andersen return in net. Fox Sports
  • Stay the course, Toronto- don’t panic! The Leafs need one key ingredient- grit. National Post
  • The numbers don’t lie, and the Leafs are not as far out of this one as the scores would suggest- Travis Yost explains. TSN
  • The biggest challenge to the Bruins will be respecting the pushback that the Maple Leafs will undoubtedly bring. As for the Leafs, divvying up their top scorers across three lines only created the illusion of depth. NHL
  • Four bullet points from Saturday’s win include Tuukka Rask standing tall when the Leafs pushed back. Boston.com
  • Lurking at netfront has served Boston well, and Toronto’s defense doesn’t seem to have any answer. WEEI
  • Despite a late season cool down, the Patrice Bergeron /Brad Marchand / David Pastrnak line has heated back up, and their strong defensive play has opened offensive opportunities. Boston Globe
  • The Bruins first line is the dominant trio in hockey. Period. Hard lessons learned from last year’s Senators series carry them forward. WEEI
  • David Pastrnak has grown as a player since his last playoff experience, and it showed in his history-making performance. Bruins Daily
  • In news of the broken Bruins, Riley Nash may return tonight, Tommy Wingels has not progressed to that stage yet. NESN
  • What will their returns mean for the Bruins’ lineup in Toronto? Patriot Ledger
  • The Bruins have been careful about left- or right-handedness in roster decisions. It is producing an edge in this playoff series. (Paywall) The Athletic
  • Bergeron doesn’t get the credit he deserves, not by a long stretch. Consistent in effort while always striving to be innovative and unpredictable, he has earned Mike Babcock’s full respect. (Long read) Sportsnet
  • Can’t people find anything better to do than grouse about David Pastrnak’s twig taping job? BarDown
  • Due to weather concerns, there will be no viewing party or crowd shots of Maple Leafs fans rioting outside the Air Canada Centre this evening. The Star
  • Meanwhile, in Providence, the PBruins lost on Friday ABC6 but then closed their regular season Sunday heading to the Calder Cup Playoffs on a winning note. Providence Journal

Elsewhere around the rink:

  • In Sunday’s playoff action: The Golden Knights are one win from sweeping the Kings NHL and the Blue Jackets bested the Capitals again to lead them 2 games to none. NHL The Wild exploded with 6 goals to finally win one against the Jets, who lead their series 2-1. NHL The Penguins now lead their series against the Flyers 2 games to 1 with a 5-1 win. NHL
  • Healing wishes go out to linesman Steve Barton, who has yet again been seriously injured during a Columbus Blue Jackets game. USA Today
  • Close, but no cigar, Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons, way to make it all about you. A kinda-sorta apology to Marc Savard doesn’t cut it. NESN
  • The Stanley Cup made a visit to the still-hospitalized Humboldt Broncos players, and you’d better believe no one touched it. Yahoo Sports Canada