Bruins vs. Maple Leafs: Game 2 prediction

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen can't stop Boston Bruins player Brad Marchand, not pictured, goal in the first period as Bruins David Pastrnak moves in with Toronto's Leo Komarov in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden in Boston on April 12, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

The Boston Bruins sent a big message with a 5-1 victory at home to open the series, but can the Maple Leafs respond to tie the series before going home?

There were plenty of doubts floating around about the Bruins ahead of their Game 1 matchup against the Maple Leafs, but they made sure to put all of that noise to rest with a 5-1 win to take the lead in the series.

Admittedly, the game was close for a little while, but once David Backes broke the 1-1 tie late in the second, Boston never looked back. Pastrnak netted a late second-period goal to put the Bruins in complete control, then Sean Kuraly and David Krejci twisted the knife in the third period.

The Bruins knew what had to be done, and they got the job done, simple as that. That’s what winning in the playoffs is all about, and if the Bruins continue with that intensity, this series could be over sooner than we all thought.

For Toronto, this is a performance that needs to go directly into the trash. They’re capable of more than this, they’ve shown they can do better all regular season, so that game just needs to be left in the rearview mirror as a one off. Don’t let the scoreline fool you, this was an entertaining game to watch, but once Pastrnak made it 3-1, the Leafs just unravelled. If they can flush that performance out of their system, they can bounce back.

In Game 2, expect to see almost the full potential of what this series has to offer. Boston is not four goals better than the Maple Leafs, but it’s on Toronto to play with a purpose in Game 2 and tie this series up before going home for games three and four because the Bruins are not going to let up. Kadri will likely be suspended for his unnecessary and dangerous hit on Tommy Wingles, so the Leafs are really going to have to step up and replace him for however long he is gone.

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If the Leafs can steal this game, that’s where this series will start to get interesting. Expect a back-and-forth game with sensational performances from both goaltenders. Leafs tie the game late in the third to force overtime, but Danton Heinen ends the game in favor of the Bruins, giving them a 2-0 series lead heading into Toronto.

Game 2 prediction: Bruins defeat Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime

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