TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS at BOSTON BRUINS
Saturday, 7 p.m., TD Garden
TV: CBC, Sportsnet Radio: 1050 AM
THE BIG MATCHUP
Auston Matthews vs. Patrice Bergeron
As much as Auston Matthews has been able to create offence despite often facing the opposition’s top centre, the wily, crafty, sound Patrice Bergeron brings a different element entirely. Matthews is not one who gets frustrated easily, but Bergeron, a four-time Selke winner, has made based his NHL career on being a defensive gem. Still, in four career games against the Bruins, Matthews has five points.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Quick and relentless
The Maple Leafs have gone 142 minutes 17 since allowing a goal, with several factors leading to the solid defence. “We’re coming back hard,” Patrick Marleau said of the Leafs’ attention to effort. “And having a third guy high was important early on in the game (against the Rangers on Thursday).” The Leafs must continue on that path.
2. Boost for the Leafs D?
We should have a good idea following the morning skate whether defencemen Morgan Rielly (arm) or Ron Hainsey (illness) will return to the Leafs lineup. The defence corps has held up without them, but you can bet both would be welcomed back. It’s Game 54, but given the ramifications in the standings, the addition of either would be a bonus.
3. It’s a four-pointer
The Leafs will have one more chance to beat the Bruins, on Feb. 24 in Toronto. With Boston three points up and with four games in hand, consider it a must-win for Toronto with first-round home ice at play. “Toronto is an opponent we might see,” Patrice Bergeron said. “We’re trying to get away from them in the standings and push them down.”
4. Moving parts
Like the Leafs, the Bruins didn’t practise on Friday, and it will be determined on Saturday whether defencemen Charlie McAvoy and Kevan Miller will play. McAvoy has missed four games with a heart ailment. “He hasn’t been ruled out,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Not going to say he’s in either yet. We’ll keep monitoring that.”
5. No Marchand
Brad Marchand is a thorn in the side of each opponent, but because he can’t stop himself from crossing the line every so often, he will be serving the fourth game of a five-game suspension. The Leafs will say they just worry about themselves, but it’s a benefit they won’t have to plan for Marchand, who has 50 points in 38 games this season.
MAPLE LEAFS LINES
LW-C-RW
Zach Hyman-Auston Matthews-William Nylander
Patrick Marleau-Nazem Kadri-Mitch Marner
James van Riemsdyk-Tyler Bozak-Connor Brown
Leo Komarov-Dominic Moore-Kasperi Kapanen
Defence pairs
Jake Gardiner-Nikita Zaitsev
Travis Dermott-Justin Holl
Andreas Borgman-Connor Carrick
Goaltenders
Frederik Andersen
Curtis McElhinney
BRUINS LINES
LW-C-RW
Danton Heinen-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk-David Krejci-Ryan Spooner
TBA-Riley Nash-David Backes
Tim Schaller-Sean Kuraly-Frank Vatrano
Defence pairs
Zdeno Chara-Brandon Carlo/Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
Matt Grzelcyk-Kevan Miller/Paul Postma
Goaltenders
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin
INJURIES
Bruins — D Charlie McAvoy (heart), F Noel Acciari (lower body), F Anders Bjork (upper body), D Kevan Miller (upper body).
Maple Leafs — D Morgan Rielly (upper body), D Ron Hainsey (illness), D Roman Polak (illness).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power play
Maple Leafs: 20.6% (12th)
Bruins: 21.7% (7th)
Penalty kill
Maple Leafs: 83.7% (4th)
Bruins: 83.3% (5th)
