The Boston Bruins gained an early advantage in their playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, defeating them 5-1 in the opening game at TD Garden. Despite Toronto’s physical approach, Boston took control with goals from Jonny Beecher, Brandon Carlo, and Jake DeBrusk. The Maple Leafs’ lone goal came from David Kampf, while Auston Matthews missed a crucial penalty shot that could have tied the game.
The Bruins’ victory was marred by an injury to defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who fell while trying to race Matthews to a loose puck. McAvoy’s status for Game 2 is uncertain.
The series now shifts to Toronto for Games 3 and 4. The Maple Leafs, who haven’t won a playoff series since 2004, will be eager to level the series and avoid falling into an early hole.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night in Boston before the series moves to Toronto for Games 3 and 4. If the Bruins follow their regular-season pattern, Linus Ullmark will start in goal instead of Jeremy Swayman.
The Maple Leafs are determined to end their Stanley Cup drought and Canada’s 30-year slump, but they face a significant challenge in the Bruins, who have swept the regular-season series 4-0 and haven’t lost to Toronto in the playoffs since 1959.
