The Boston Bruins are making a significant change to their defense ahead of Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night. Mason Lohrei, recalled from Providence on Tuesday, is expected to make his postseason debut at Scotiabank Arena, skating alongside Charlie McAvoy on Boston’s top defensive pairing. Lohrei, a highly touted prospect known for his playmaking ability and physical presence, will be tasked with filling the void left by Andrew Peeke, who sustained an injury in Game 2.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi and Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand exchanged words after a heated Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. The two players have a history of on-ice confrontations, and their latest encounter was no different. Bertuzzi and Marchand were seen exchanging words at the end of the game, which the Maple Leafs won 3-2. Bertuzzi said after the game that the exchange was “between me and Brad,” and that “it’s playoff hockey” and “it’s gonna keep going.”
Boston Bruins star Milan Lucic and his wife Brittany are divorcing after five months of separation. Brittany filed for the split on Monday, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The couple’s separation date is listed as November 17, 2023, one day before Lucic was arrested for alleged domestic violence against his wife. The divorce documents indicate that Brittany is seeking custody of their three children and spousal support. Lucic is currently on an indefinite leave of absence from the Bruins.
Boston’s efforts to contain Auston Matthews and Toronto’s high-powered offense have been hindered by an injury to defenseman Andrew Peeke, who is considered “week-to-week.” Peeke’s absence creates a void in the Bruins’ defensive lineup, prompting the recall of Mason Lohrei from Providence. The Bruins will have to delve deeper into their depth chart to compensate for Peeke’s injury, considering options such as Parker Wotherspoon or Derek Forbort. Meanwhile, Matthews remains a formidable force for the Maple Leafs, leading the team in ice time and contributing significantly to their offensive output. The Bruins face the challenge of managing Matthews’ impact and improving their own forechecking to create more offensive opportunities.
Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery expressed concerns about his team’s urgency after their 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 2 of the playoffs. The Bruins failed to match the Maple Leafs’ intensity and struggled to sustain possession and generate scoring chances. Montgomery challenged his team to improve their performance in Game 3, which will be played in Toronto on Wednesday.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ star forward Auston Matthews, the 2021-22 Hart Trophy recipient, played a key role in securing a road split against the Boston Bruins in the first two games of their Eastern Conference first-round series. Matthews scored the go-ahead goal in the third period of Game 2, adding two assists, eight shots, six hits, and winning 69.6% of his faceoffs. His standout performance helped Toronto snap an eight-game losing streak to the Bruins. The Maple Leafs will now look to build on this momentum in Game 3, which shifts to Toronto on Wednesday.
The Boston Bruins are breaking with the long-standing hockey tradition of relying on a single goalie during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the 2022-23 season, they achieved an NHL record with 65 wins and 135 points while rotating goalies Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. Despite their success, they were eliminated in the first round by the Florida Panthers. This season, they are once again employing a rotation, with Swayman starting Game 1 and Ullmark starting Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. While some hold to the traditional belief in having one goalie for the playoffs, the Bruins’ success with a rotation is challenging this notion.
The Bruins’ goalie rotation remains a topic of discussion despite the team’s loss to the Maple Leafs in Game 2 of their playoff series. Boston’s general manager, Don Sweeney, has stated that the team has a plan in place but emphasized that performance and results will dictate the rotation. While Jeremy Swayman is expected to start Game 3, the goalie rotation is likely to continue for as long as the Bruins’ playoff campaign lasts.
In a tight-fought Game 2 at TD Garden, the Toronto Maple Leafs relied on their star power to secure a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins. David Pastrnak’s opening goal was quickly countered by John Tavares, while Auston Matthews delivered the game-winning tally in the third period. Matthews’ all-around performance, which included two assists, seven won faceoffs, and eight shots on net, proved crucial for the Leafs. Despite being outshot 58-27 at 5-on-5, the Leafs’ ability to capitalize on mistakes and control the game’s tempo ultimately made the difference.
Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery defended his decision to start Linus Ullmark over Jeremy Swayman in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, despite Swayman’s impressive performance in Game 1. Ullmark stopped 30 shots, but the Bruins fell 3-2 to the Leafs, tying the series 1-1. Montgomery declined to name a starter before the game, keeping the Leafs guessing. He cited potential scouting advantages as the reason for his secrecy. While Swayman had been the logical choice for Game 1 due to his 3-0-0 record against Toronto in the regular season, Ullmark’s Vezina Trophy status and strong stats made it a difficult decision. Ullmark’s performance in Game 2 justified Montgomery’s choice, but the Bruins’ overall play fell short. Montgomery emphasized the need for improvement in their transition speed and forechecking intensity ahead of Game 3 in Toronto.
