Bruins keep perspective on series-opening win over Maple Leafs
Originally posted on Field Level Media | Last updated 4/21/24
While the Boston Bruins opened their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with a convincing 5-1 win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, coach Jim Montgomery knows that his club can show even more in Game 2 on Monday.
Jake DeBrusk scored two power-play goals in a 2:32 span after an earlier assist in the second period, leading the Bruins to their eighth consecutive win over Toronto between the regular season and playoffs combined.
The Bruins also showcased their depth with Johnny Beecher and Brandon Carlo netting the first two goals. Trent Frederic rounded out the scoring on an empty-net goal in the third period.
“They’re going to come harder than (Saturday) night,” Boston forward Jakub Lauko said of the Maple Leafs. “We just need to keep doing what we’re doing like we know and be even better.”
The mid-game, man-up success on Saturday busted the score open, but Montgomery is especially focused on his team limiting the opponent’s Grade-A chances and playing better at 5-on-5 as the series continues.
“I don’t think we were all that good at the net front (in Game 1),” Montgomery said. “(Jeremy) Swayman had to make a lot of second-chance saves, which we don’t like. What can we do better? We need to spend more time in the O-zone. We didn’t do a good job offensively 5-on-5.”
The major storyline on Boston’s side is who will start in goal.
Will Swayman make his second straight start following a 35-save effort, or will Linus Ullmark get the net in a continuation of a season-long rotation?
Montgomery did not tip his hand while acknowledging Swayman’s stellar effort in his first career start in Game 1 of a playoff series.
