Maple Leafs can change narrative with win in Game 7 against Bruins

Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe wouldn’t predict if that can occur, however he does really feel his workforce will play with desperation. In any case, it has had loads of apply doing precisely that.

“In my thoughts, we simply performed two Recreation 7s,” Keefe stated, referring to Toronto’s do-or-die victories in Video games 5 and 6.

Of be aware: They received these video games with out middle Auston Matthews and his 69 regular-season targets within the lineup. And, if his undisclosed ailment continues to linger, they could need to do it once more.

Matthews lasted about 4 minutes in Toronto’s morning skate previous to Recreation 5 on Tuesday earlier than leaving the ice and deciding he was a no-go. He skated on his personal on the Maple Leafs’ apply pad at their facility Wednesday and was out working at Scotiabank Area Thursday monring however didn’t play. 

Cue William Nylander.

If the Maple Leafs are to have success, particularly if Matthews can’t go once more, they want their prime gamers to step up.

Like captain John Tavares did in Recreation 5, when his laborious reduce to the Bruins internet resulted in a Matthew Knies time beyond regulation aim in Toronto’s 2-1 win.

And like Nylander did in Recreation 6.

The speedy wing, who missed the primary three video games of the sequence with an undisclosed ailment, scored each Toronto targets and was dynamic all through, shedding the rust that gave the impression to be lingering within the earlier two outings.

Although Nylander had not scored since March 26, he has a penchant of coming by way of in huge moments in the course of the postseason, having now accrued seven targets in elimination video games in his profession.

“It was good to get on the board scoring two targets for positive,” Nylander stated. “However I believe the workforce effort, the best way we battled and competed for all the 60 minutes, properly, that was unbelievable for us as properly.”