Maple Leafs Force Game Seven Against Bruins

[Event Summary]

[NHL.com]

On a night where a terrorist attack happened in Toronto, on a night where the Columbus Blue Jackets were eliminated by the Washington Capitals in game six here in Columbus. The Toronto Maple Leafs played game six in their city like their lives were on the line. These guys sacrificed so much to force a game seven for their city, overcoming all odds and trying to advance in a series they trailed 2-0 and 3-1. 

The Maple Leafs entered as underdogs, but I saw a team play as a team. Frederick Andersen several times was out of position, only to have a Toronto skater make the save for him. Andersen made so many improbable saves on his own. He stopped 32 of 33 shots. Boston took the lead 1-0, but Toronto charged back from there and wouldn't be denied. 

Auston Matthews had an assist waved off for goalie interference on the Leafs. But this team is gutty. They'll look to him Wednesday night to do something he's never done before in his career. The biggest goal in the biggest moment wins and advances. One of these tremendous teams has to go home. 

The winner Wednesday night gets to face the #1 seed Lightning. 

Great Yahoo Article on the Impact of Matthews' Answering Critics Game Three

Game three was an absolute dream of a game for the Maple Leafs. I'm not sure if it's the apex of the entire season or not at this point.

So I'm trying to savor as much as I can of it before Thursday night arrives. The Leafs are installed as early -115 to -110 slight favorites over the Bruins. They went off at -105 the other night, so they have appeared to at least halt the Bruin momentum for the time being in the eyes of oddsmakers.

Great read here at Yahoo! about Auston Matthews answering the bell in game three with the biggest goal of the year.

Maple Leafs Win Game Three, Round One 4-2 Over Bruins

[Maple Leafs 4, Bruins 2]
[NHL.com]

My team really did it. I watched the entire game. The Maple Leafs will not be swept in futility as it looked in games one and two in Boston. My favorite player rose at the big moment and scored the biggest goal of the game to give his team the final lead.

This was an incredible game. The Leafs are very much alive; for now. Trying to hang on until Nazem Kadri returns from suspension and extend this series out long.

Here's a look at Auston Matthews' first goal of these playoffs, a beautiful snipe that gave the Maple Leafs a 3-2 lead. A lead that would hold up (Patrick Marleau later scored his second goal of the game to make it 4-2).



Frederick Andersen stood on his head for several saves to keep this a 3-2 game. These teams really played hard, and fast paced. Zdeno Chara scored an incredible goal to make it 2-2. This was action packed for three periods. The Toronto crowd was outstanding from the anthem to the final whistle.

It was a Monday night in Toronto, and all was safe and well for a night. The Maple Leafs extended the season against the seemingly unstoppable Bruins; for at least a game.

I can't wait for Thursday night.

The Brothers Sedin Retire

In a heartfelt letter, Daniel and Henrik Sedin retire on the Canucks website.

Part of Canadian hockey closes a chapter. They have three games left to play, but it's going to be weird next year not having the Sedin's as part of the fraternity on-ice.

Auston Matthews Goals 30 and 31 of 2017-2018

As the Maple Leafs come down the home stretch with just three regular season games remaining, things are not looking as up as they were when the season got underway. There is some talk of a first round exit to the Bruins. But yet, Auston Matthews has pressed on. In a difficult and injury-shortened season; Matthews once again found the way to cross the 30-goal plateau.

These are goals 70 and 71 of his illustrious young career.

Goal #30:


Goal #31:


I want to see Matthews take it to another level in the playoffs, and let it all hang out. If he goes to the next gear in the first round or otherwise, the Leafs can get by absolutely anyone.