GAME 3 HIGHLIGHTS: Bruins can’t capitalize, Leafs get their first win of the series

First Period:

It’s probably not a good thing when you get out of one period being outshot to hell, and Boston was definitely that in Game 3. The Leafs came out on fire and ran the Bruins’ show for half-minutes of zone time a piece. But the B’s held strong and tried to keep things even.

Aaaaand then the refs called a Delay of Game on Riley Nash that almost 100% was not an Over the Glass Delay of Game penalty, and the Bruins, who had been weathering the storm for most of the game, couldn’t stop James Van Reimsdyk from cashing in on the doorstep. 1-0 Toronto.

Just a rough way to end a period.

Second Period:

Things improved!

Boston got some stronger chances against the Leafs as they appeared to have accomplished their goal of “getting the first goal”, and so Adam McQuaid tee’d off a real blast of a shot that squirted it’s way past Andersen and into the net. 1-1 Tie!

Things looked good for...about 20 seconds. And then the Leafs connected on one of several stretch passes they got all night to spring Mitch Marner and Patrick Marleau forward. 2-on-1, Marleau puts it behind Rask. 2-1 Leafs.

which is annoying, because then it forced Boston back into reactionary, defensive hockey.

But things got better! Zdeno Chara got the puck in the Leafs zone and rather than dish to a forward, decided to walk in himself and put it right past Frederik Andersen. 2-2 tie again!

...aaaand then the first line and pairing had a nightmare shift that allowed the Leafs to get all set up and playing at a screaming pace, and who else but Auston Matthews just hammers home an absolute scorching shot, putting the Leafs back up by one. 3-2 Leafs.

Oy...

Third Period:

Marchand brought a player down on the only Bruins power play of the night and Jack Edwards had himself a conniption.

It was either hilarious or dumb or hilariously dumb. That power play also amounted to a frustrating amount of nothing the Bruins could find going into the 3rd period. They tried everything, man. Jake DeBrusk had a good chance, the first line had multiple chances, and they still couldn’t get the goal they were looking for.

And then, an ill-timed turnover sent Patrick Marleau up ice once again, and he buried it. 4-2 Leafs, and that’d be the end to scoring.

Oh, and Morgan Reilly and Brad Marchand decided they really hated each other towards the end of the game, and this happened. Kinda dumb.

dumb, dumb, dumb. Boston couldn’t get another goal and the Leafs managed to get their first win in this series.

Game 4 is on Thursday night.

Game Notes:

• Boston had a ton of fantastic chances in the final frame and especially down the stretch, but the B’s being put in a position to make mistakes cost them dearly.
• Andersen had an unreal night and a ton of luck. It happens.
• Toronto came ready to play their hearts out. Boston managed to keep it close until it wasn’t. There is plenty of opportunity in the next couple of days for the B’s to get healthy and get right back on track.
• Riley Nash looked alright, there was clearly some rust here or there, but I think he’ll be fine with a couple of days of practice.
• Jake DeBrusk is either gonna get a Riley Nash assist or a goal himself one of these games if it kills him. Has just been working his tail off trying to produce.
• Turns out the Plekanec line did a pretty good job keeping the Bergeron line...to a combined 9 shots. The reports of the Leafs 2nd forward combo having any effect on that group are slightly exaggerated, compounded with rotten luck. Don’t expect that to remain the case.
• Refereeing in tonight’s contest was both egregious and foolish, therefor Boston must try everything in their power to just dominate the Leafs at 5 on 5 in Game 4. They must take the refs as thoroughly out of the game as they can.
• Rick Nash and Zdeno Chara had your leads in SOG.
• Look on the bright side. Now Boston can win this series 4 games to 1!