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Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Marchand scores twice in third period, Bruins beat Leafs to take 2-1 lead

By Matt Dolloff
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 24: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins celebrates a goal by Jake DeBrusk (not shown) against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 24, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins, fresh off lineup changes and a new offensive mindset, have come away with a series lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Brad Marchand scored twice in the third period, including the game-winner, as the Bruins beat the Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven first-round playoff series. Trent Frederic and Jake DeBrusk also scored for the B’s, who out-shot the Leafs (34-30) for the first time in the series.

Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman stopped 28-of-30 shots (.933) to earn his second win of the series. After rotating with Linus Ullmark through the first three games of the series, Swayman has likely made it a real conversation whether to stick with him in Game 4.

Bruins-Leafs Highlights

The teams played to a scoreless draw in a tightly contested first period. At 5-on-5, the Bruins generated a higher volume of shot attempts (13-8), but the Leafs had a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal, thanks in large part to their shot-blocking (nine total).

It was in the second period that someone finally struck, as Toronto took a 1-0 lead off the stick of Matthew Knies. Leafs winger Mitch Marner led an odd-man rush up ice then fed it down low toward Knies, who redirected it past Swayman to put the home team on top.

  • Frederic Ties It

    The Bruins tied the game later in the second, after the TV broadcast captured a wild sequence. Marchand got tangled up with former teammate Tyler Bertuzzi and ultimately tripped him to the ice, with no call. Immediately after that, Frederic rushed in and beat Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov for his second goal of the series and a 1-1 tie.

  • DeBrusk Gives The Bruins The Lead

    Finally cashing in on the power play in a penalty-filled night, DeBrusk gathered a rebound in front of Samsonov and buried it to put the Bruins on top, 2-1. DeBrusk now has three goals in the series and six in his last seven playoff games overall.

  • Leafs Tie It On Puck Luck

    Later in the third period, the Maple Leafs got the bounce they needed to solve Swayman. A point shot by Morgan Rielly deflected off Bertuzzi, then off Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm and into the net to square the game back up at 2-2.

  • Marchand Snipes For The Lead

    The tie game was short-lived. Just 28 seconds after the Bertuzzi goal, Marchand beat Samsonov with an absolute snipe into a tiny window in the top corner short-side, giving the Bruins the lead back at 3-2. Marchand would add an empty-netter later on to ice the win for good.

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    Up Next: The Bruins and Maple Leafs get back to it for Game 4 on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

    Get complete Boston Bruins coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    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.

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