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Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Game 5 preview and prediction

By Bruin Belisle

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 14: Boston Bruins David Pastrnak signals for the fans to cheer after scoring a first period goal that is signaled by the referee in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden in Boston on April 14, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 14: Boston Bruins David Pastrnak signals for the fans to cheer after scoring a first period goal that is signaled by the referee in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden in Boston on April 14, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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The Boston Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of their series. The Bruins would love to close out at home and look forward to next round but these young Leafs won’t go down without a fight.

It’s game day in Boston. The black and gold look to close out their first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at TD Garden in Boston. The Bruins set themselves up nicely on Thursday evening, stealing a win in Toronto to bring their series lead to 3-1 and demoralizing the large crowd that packed the Air Canada Center (and braved the cold in Maple Leaf Square) to watch the game.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will return Nazem Kadri tonight, who has finished serving his three game suspension for a dangerous hit on Bruins forward Tommy Wingels. He will surely add a spark of energy to a Leafs team that needs it right now. Look for him to have a big impact in Game 5, physically and perhaps n the score board as well.

Speaking of returns, the Bruins could get Patrice Bergeron back from the upper body injury that kept him out of Game 4. Bruce Cassidy addressed the media about Bergeron’s status on Saturday:

Even if Bergeron does not return tonight, the rhetoric that the Bruins would falter without him in Game 4 was laughable to any Bruins fan who has watched this team battle through injury and adversity this season. Bergeron looks as though he is making a speedy recovery, which is great, but if he cannot play tonight, Riley Nash will step in and the top line will still be dominant.

The Bruins will looks to Tuukka Rask for another stellar game after he kept them alive through a strong Leafs push in the first and second period on Thursday. Goaltending is the key to a successful playoff run and Rask is showing that he is on par with the best of them. He’s sporting a .926 save percentage and a  2.27 goals against average through four games. That is more than enough when your top player has 11 points, and top line over 20.

David Pastrnak has been the best offensive player in these NHL playoffs thus far. He has 11 points, including a six point night, and could have easily added three goals to that in Game 3 had he not rung two off the goal post (and one off of Freddy Andersen’s paddle). Don’t be surprised when he adds to his point total tonight, especially if Bergeron returns.

The keys to victory for the Maple Leafs will be continued pressure in the offensive zone. They need to exercise a short memory in regards to Thursday’s loss and move past it knowing they outplayed the Bruins for two out of three periods. Continued strong play from Mitch Marner and perhaps a little more from Auston Matthews will be key for a Leafs victory tonight.

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Prediction:

It’s time to round up the gang and take the red to the orange line (for the last time this series). The Bruins will win Game 5 and start looking towards round two of these NHL playoffs.

The Leafs will make a strong push early in this game, but the Bruins will continue to capitalize on every defensive mistake they make. Expect goals from David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand tonight, along with some help from Torey Krug, who has been excellent in these playoffs.

Your final score will be 4-2 for the Boston Bruins as they advance to the next round. Toronto Maple Leafs fans can rest easy knowing that their young team will be back in the NHL playoffs (and likely in Stanley Cup contention) for the foreseeable future.

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