Bruins Game-Breaker: Lindholm’s incredible play sets up Pastrnak’s Game 7 heroics
Hampus Lindholm may never make a more beautiful pass in his life.
Ideally for the Boston Bruins, he does, because they’re on to the second round after a thrilling overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7. Lindholm may score bigger goals and assists yet. But his indirect pass from the red line to the far corner took a picture-perfect bounce toward the net, in classic TD Garden fashion, and Pastrnak did the rest with his backhand shot past Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov.
It was like a perfect 50-yard bomb from a quarterback, a perfect par-3 tee shot for an easy birdie putt. Perfect.
And it was an encouraging sign for the Bruins that it came from Lindholm, who has clearly had his share of ups and downs in the playoffs, and had just earlier that night scored his HAMPUS LINDHOLM GETS IT RIGHT BACK FOR BOSTON 😱 pic.twitter.com/DwJ7HaKeRj
“Just trying to get pucks to the net,” Lindholm said after the game. “I think I’ve been holding on to pucks, making it too hard on myself. So, just trying to find that little opening and just get it there and good things should happen.”
Lindholm had logged just two assists in the first six games of the series, before popping for the clutch game-tying goal and game-winning assist in Saturday’s decisive Game 7. His closing performance was a welcome sight, because he’s been prone to the occasional bad giveaway and at times has been muscled off the puck.
But the game-winning play showcased his skill and savvy when he has possession, and perhaps it was the breakthrough he needed to create those scoring opportunities more consistently going forward.
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.
