Game 3 Preview: The series shifts to Toronto

Just the facts

When: Tonight, 7 PM

Where: Scotiabank Arena - Toronto, ON

How to follow: NESN, NBCSN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Rival SBN site: Pension Plan Puppets

Game notes

• This might end up being one of the more useless previews you can read. How’s that for a sales pitch? I say that because as I write this Sunday night, a number of things will come to light as you read it on Monday. How is the future? Sunday is pretty good.
• For the Maple Leafs, they’re in a holding pattern with regard to Nazem Kadri’s status, though it seems like a lock that he won’t be available for them tonight. Many Bruins fans seem to think he’s due for a long suspension, but I think he might end up getting 2 games. My weird logic is that the league will tacitly admit that the refs let things get out of hand and give him a slap on the wrist to make up for it. GET YOUR TINFOIL HATS.
• For the Bruins, there are a ton of question marks due to injuries. Torey Krug is almost certainly concussed, though the team termed him day-to-day. Connor Clifton is hurt, but is also day-to-day. Jake DeBrusk was also said to be day-to-day. In the end, aren’t we all day-to-day, friends? Eat at Arby’s.
• Per the team, Marcus Johansson may play tonight. If he’s in, the Bruins certainly can’t take David Backes out now. Backes played well last night, and the team definitely played a different style with him in the lineup.
• This game should be interesting for a number of reasons. Both teams will probably be filling gaps in the lineup. Both will be adjusting to that newness. But what will really be interesting will be seeing if there’s carryover bad blood. It seems like in recent years, match-ups like this don’t end up boiling over. This time, however, it wouldn’t be that surprising, especially if one team gets a big lead.
• Someone in the comments noted a level of concern about the Bruins being able to sustain that level of energy from last night throughout the series. It’s not a bad point. The B’s were fired up from top to bottom last night, feeding off the home crowd. Can they keep that intensity level on the road?
• One of the fears going into this series was that Frederik Andersen could steal it. It’s not possible to credit a goalie with stealing things when his team loses by three goals, but Andersen was the main reason the game wasn’t 8-1 last night. Andersen made 2 or 3 A+ saves to keep things close. Ideally, he doesn’t get going here.

See ya tonight!