Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Game 3: Full highlights, final score and more

Frederik Andersen was great in a much needed 4-2 win for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 3. The Bruins played well but just could not beat Andersen in the third period.

The Toronto Maple Leafs brought another level of intensity to their first home game of the series tonight against the Boston Bruins. The Air Canada Center was loud tonight and the Maple Leafs fed on that energy early on as the two sides traded scoring chances through most of the opening period.

The Leafs eventually broke the ice with a power play goal from James Van Riemsdyk after a missed delay of game call on Bruins forward Riley Nash. Tuukka Rask made several big saves to keep this one close in the early going. The Bruins were lucky to head to the dressing room down only one.

The second period opened as a slightly slower version of the first until Adam McQuaid scored on a point shot that squeaked under Freddy Anderson’s pad. The Leafs were quick to answer though, with Patrick Marleau scoring only 43 seconds later.

Later in the second, Zdeno Chara tied the game at two with a beautiful top shelf goal you’d expect to see from one of the Bruins’ top line players. Kasperi Kapanen almost got the lead back for the Leafs with a shot that beat Rask but rang off iron. Not long after, Auston Matthews scored his long-awaited first goal of the series to put the Buds back up one after 40 minutes.

The Bruins opened the third period opened with four great power play scoring chances, but nothing to show for it. Adam McQuaid left to the dressing room after taking a puck to the neck. He looked to be okay before heading back but would not return.

The two teams traded scoring chances through most of the third, with both ‘tenders playing their best road hockey-style goaltending. Patrick Marleau put this game away with his second goal of the night to make it 4-2 Leafs and David Pastrnak just could not get a puck by Andersen (and the goal posts) tonight.

Three Stars

3. Auston Matthews

Matthews got his first point of the series with a goal in the second period that ended up being the game-winner. He got shots on net early and often and it paid dividends for him in this one. Cue Leafs Twitter to be all-in on Matthews again until Game 4.

2. Patrick Marleau

Marleau dialed back the clock and had a two-goal night at the best possible time. He stepped up and showed why the Leafs brought him in: veteran leadership on a young team. And goals like this:

1. Frederik Andersen 

Andersen would love to have the first two goals back, but for the rest of the game he was nothing short of outstanding. He was forced into making creative saves through most of the game and did a great job keeping everything but the first two out. He finished the game with the save of the year on David Pastrnak. No words, just watch:

Highlights

Next Game

The Bruins and Leafs will meet again at the Air Canada Center in Toronto for Game 4 on Thursday, April 19.

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