Bruins Fall 3-1 To Leafs In Game 6, Will Play Game 7 On Wednesday
Frederik Andersen made another 32 saves to lift the Maple Leafs over the Bruins by a 3-1 score in Game 6 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Monday. After going down 3-1 in the series, the Leafs have forced a Game 7 in Boston.
The first period ended up scoreless, but the Bruins picked up where they left off from the third period of Game 5 by generating the majority of scoring opportunities. Jake DeBrusk finally broke the scoreless tie in the second period when he scored right off the faceoff, ripping it past Andersen to make it 1-0 Bruins.
However, the B’s lead lasted only 35 seconds as William Nylander quickly answered. Left uncovered to Tuukka Rask’s right side, Nylander capitalized on a rebound off a Nikita Zaitsev shot to tie the game back up before the Bruins could even think about protecting their lead.
Apr 23, 2018, Toronto, Ontario, CAN: Toronto Maple Leafs center Tomas Plekanec celebrates with teammates in the third period after scoring a goal as Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask reacts in game six of the first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Bruins 3-1. (Photo Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports)
The Leafs momentarily believed they had scored to go up 2-1, but the officials disallowed the goal due to goaltender interference on Rask. But they eventually cashed in, as Brad Marchand whiffed on an attempt to clear the puck from the front of the net and Mitch Marner took advantage, backhanding it past Rask to put the Leafs on top 2-1 for real. Tomas Plekanec added an empty-netter in the third period.
At the other end of the ice, Tuukka Rask stopped 27 of 29 shots for the Bruins. That’s including eight crucial saves in the third period to keep the Bruins alive. But the B’s could only muster seven shots of their own in the final frame, and also couldn’t cash in on a power play opportunity with under six minutes left in regulation.
The Bruins have now lost two straight games to the Leafs despite holding the shots advantage in both. Boston out-attempted the Leafs 162-82 in Games 5 and 6 combined, but were outscored 7-4.
Up Next: The Bruins and Maple Leafs square off in a decisive Game 7 on Wednesday night at TD Garden.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
