Saturday Game 5 preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins
Tuukka Rask vs. Frederik Andersen matchup to watch with Leafs’ season on the line at TD Garden.
Saturday Game 5 preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins | The Star
Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask makes a glove save in the second period of Game 4 against the Leafs. Game 5 goes Saturday in Boston. (Rick Madonik / Toronto Star)
By
Kevin McGranSports Reporter
Fri., April 20, 2018
TD GARDEN
FACEOFF: 8 p.m.
TV: CBC
RADIO: TSN 1050
Bruins lead best of seven series 3-1
KEY PLAYERS
Rask/Andersen
Tuukka Rask of the Bruins has a .926 save percentage and a 2.27 goals-against average, providing Boston with timely goaltending ... Leafs coach
Mike Babcock says he needs goalie
Frederik Andersen (4.12, .880) to “have a night” and help save their season.
NEED TO KNOW
Bruins top-line centre
Patrice Bergeron, a late scratch for Game 4 with an upper-body injury, skated Friday and has not been ruled out for Game 5 … The Bruins are 18-2 in series in which they’ve lead three games to one … The Bruins are 3-0 in these playoffs when scoring first … They have scored six times in the first period against Toronto, six in the second, five in the third … The Bruins have won only 43.7 per cent of faceoffs, but are outshooting the Leafs 32.8 to 30.5 on average … Bruins winger
David Pastrnak led all playoff scorers through Thursday with 11 points.
UP NEXT
Game 6 Monday (if necessary) at Air Canada Centre
Kadri ready to make impact after 'harsh' suspension as Leafs face elimination
Terry KoshanMore from Terry Koshan
Kadri ready to make impact after ‘harsh’ suspension as Leafs face elimination
After missing a crucial chunk of the Maple Leafs’ series against the Boston Bruins, Nazem Kadri is ready to turn the page on his three-game suspension.
With the Leafs facing elimination in Game 5 on Saturday night in Boston, the 27-year-old centre has no choice. ‘
Kadri must be impactful for the Leafs, down 3-1 in the best of seven, while shedding any rust that may have accumulated during the past week when his Toronto teammates and the Bruins battled.
“You have to trust in one another,” Kadri said on Friday, speaking to reporters for the first time since he was suspended by the National Hockey League, the fourth NHL-levied suspension in his career.
“(Winning three games in a row to win the series) would definitely make a good story.
“We’re going to approach it game by game and you never know how much things can change in the course of one game.
“Our mentality is to try to pull this one out — we understand it’s going to be a tough task — but you come home 3-2, it’s a different ball game.”
Zdeno Chara shoves Kadri in retaliation for a hit on Tommy Wingels in Game 1 (AP PHOTO)
Kadri had more than enough time to stew after his hit on Bruins forward Tommy Wingels in Game 1 of the series earned him the three-game break. Kadri didn’t like that Wingels had just elbowed Mitch Marner in the face, and rammed Wingels into the side boards.
Kadri said he was “disappointed” when he learned that he would have to sit out three games at such an important time.
“I was not expecting that,” Kadri said. “That particular play, I just felt like a liberty had been taken on Mitch and I’m always going to stand up for my teammates and stand up for myself.
“That part is not going to change about me. Was it worthy of a suspension? I definitely think so. But I think the three games is definitely a little harsh.
“I think if my intent was there possibly could have been a (long-term) injury. It could have been a lot worse. I disagree with the three games, but I’m just going to move forward now.”
While the expectation is Kadri will slip back into his usual spot on the Leafs’ second line between Patrick Marleau and Mitch Marner, there’s no discounting the play of Tomas Plekanec during Kadri’s absence. Plekanec was sharp in Games 3 and 4 between Marleau and Marner, noted by all observers, but none more than Leafs coach Mike Babcock.
Kadri reacts after being called for boarding during Game 1 (GETTY IMAGES)
Plekanec was not good in a reduced role before taking Kadri’s spot, but can he be as effective if his minutes are decreased again? Plekanec would return to the fourth line between Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen. Dominic Moore would come out.
“I asked (Plekanec) that same question,” Babcock said. “I said, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, what if I (put you back on the fourth line)?’
“You found your game as a Leaf, we need you to be that good. I think he is feeling good about himself. Kap and Johnny are good players.”
Babcock, in an enthusiastic mood on Friday in the face of what appears to be an insurmountable task for his team, gladly will welcome Kadri back.
“He’s a good player, and it’s unfortunate for him that he missed three games,” Babcock said. “You have to be able to pick each other up.
“We were not able to do that. He will make us deeper and we’re excited to have him back. Plus, he will have good energy for us, so it’s important to have that going into Boston.”
That’s exactly what Kadri intends to bring. Let’s keep in mind the Leafs, in losing two of the three games for which Kadri was a spectator, could have used the kind of offence Kadri was supplying during the 2017-18 regular season when he tied a career high with 32 goals.
“It’s exciting to get back in,” Kadri said. “I’ve been champing at the bit the last couple of games here.
“It has been hard to watch knowing you could be out there trying to help and trying to make an impact. I’m just happy the time has come.”
KADRI WATCHED CLOSELY
As much as Nazem Kadri wanted badly to be in the Maple Leafs lineup for Games 2 through 4, he took a keen interest in what he was watching as the Leafs and Boston Bruins clashed without him.
“It looked like there was not much room out there,” Kadri said. “They do a pretty good job of clogging up the neutral zone, and I think that is really a focus for us, is being able to get through the neutral zone, because that translates to offensive opportunities.
“That being said, we have done some pre-scouts, watched some film and hopefully that will come a little smoother in the next game.”
Kadri practised with the Leafs as he served his three-game suspension, but once his time on the ice was done, undressed in a room separate from his teammates as they fulfilled media duties.
“They were supportive,” Kadri said. “That’s how teammates are going to be. They understand I want to be out there just as much as every single guy and I never want to disappoint.”
...Anyways what I'm saying is the series ain't done yet boys.
