Eastern Conference First Round: (2) Boston Bruins vs (3) Toronto Maple Leafs

[finnys_fanatsy]

Bruins in 7

ditto

[Belexus75]

Goaltending will be the difference. B's in 6.

i would argue that not once over all these years of disappointment leafs lost due to goaltending. Its lack of scoring that usually is the problem which i guess could be contributed to good goaltending on the other side but i dont think Toronto goalies will be the problem.

[Feenom]

i would argue that not once over all these years of disappointment leafs lost due to goaltending. Its lack of scoring that usually is the problem which i guess could be contributed to good goaltending on the other side but i dont think Toronto goalies will be the problem.

I hope you are right.

[Swarley]

Bruins in 6

[TheDard]

Bruins in 6

[chuckcouples]

Bruins in 5

[Grapes]

Bruins in 6

[Axeman33]

Bruins in 7. Both teams are limping into the playoffs but I'll take the team with the better goalies. Not to mention the Leafs havent beat Boston all season, going 0-4 on the season series. Leafs, as usual, will give them a series though.

[2014olympicgold]

I'm ready to get hurt again. Leafs in 7.

However, Bruins only lost last yr because they refused to shift off of an injured goalie, they aren't making that mistake again. I think the Leafs injury bug has caught up to them at the worst time and the D is really banged up. I think the Leafs chances hinge on McCabe playing well all the way through, and Domi being able to set up Matthews.

This year, I think it won't be "The best team" that wins, just one that finishes the healthiest. Which isn't new anymore when the middle end NHL talent is stretched so thin, it's all about just getting to the end healthy.

[dejeanneret]

I'll take Bruins in 6. Still not confident the Leafs have what it takes on D and in net to overcome the playoff heebie jeebies.

[forsbergfan]

This could be one of the more memorable series' in recent memory, so buckle up. How long til Marchand does something to stir the pot?
Leafs finally got over the hump last year in the first round. They don't have the pressure being the team to always lose in the first round anymore. And they have less pressure this year.because everyone expects them to lose by this point anyways. So for those reasons I pick them in 7.

[4T2]

This goes 7.

Game 7, Leafs lead Bruins 4-1 heading into the third. Leaf fans are ecstatic and start taunting Bruins fans all over social media. Bruins make a game of it scoring fairly early in the third. Under 1:30 left and the Bruins pull within 1. Then they tie it in the last minute forcing overtime. Bruins end up winning and shattering the hearts of Leaf fans everywhere.

I mean that could never happen right?

[2014olympicgold]

Jarnkrok at practice.
Nylander absent from practice.
McMann absent from practice.

Forward Group:
Bert-AM-Domi
Knies-JT-Marner
Robertson-Holmberg-Jarny
Dewar-Kampf-Reaves

Brodie appears to be the odd man out on D:
Rielly - Lyb
Benoit-McCabe
Eddy-Lily

[Daydream Nation]

I'll take Bruins in 6. Still not confident the Leafs have what it takes on D and in net to overcome the playoff heebie jeebies.

Agreed. Why should anyone expect the Leaf stars to be dominant? Their defense is mediocre and they have an inferior goalie.

[2014olympicgold]

Keefe said Nylander is a "possibility" to play tmo. Wouldn't elaborate why he was out.