What are their chances against Boston?
Optimist: Better than even. The Leafs have owned Boston in the regular season the last two years, Toronto has better scoring depth, and Boston’s super-two-way C Patrice Bergeron is currently injured. If he’s less than full-power, Toronto is an excellent bet to win.
Pessimist: Yes, when has Patrice Bergeron
ever played through injuries in the playoffs? The Bruins lead the league in CF% at 5v5, and they’re second in xGF%. They have probably the best top line in the league Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak, and they have actual scoring depth to back it up with now. Charlie McAvoy is a great young defenceman, too, and Zdeno Chara is still somehow effective despite being older than God.
Optimist: You wanna talk about scoring depth? The Leafs are going to have a 30-goal scorer on each of their top three lines again this year. That’s not considering dynamite playmaking RWs in Mitch Marner and William Nylander, both of whom have way more points than anyone not on the Bruins’ first line. Don’t tell me Danton Henein is a real scoring talent and don’t tell me I need to be scared of the remains of Rick Nash. The Leafs have the firepower.
Pessimist: And the right side of the Leafs’ defence group is currently, uh, Hainsey, Polak and Carrick. Pick your poison.
Optimist: Rielly and Gardiner will get the puck up, Dermott is blossoming, and we’re going to have enough puck support to get the puck to the forwards.
Pessimist: And the Bruins have
former Leafs draft pick Tuukka Rask!
Optimist: YOU CANNOT TORMENT ME WITH THAT TRADE ANY LONGER. The Leafs have a better goalie than Rask now. It’s done. Freddie has been damn near the best goalie in the NHL since November started. We are ready to rock.
Pessimist: If Freddie is healthy. And I haven’t even talked about Auston yet.
Optimist: He’ll be back in plenty of time. Probably grateful for the extra rest. He’s going to dazzle.
Pessimist: Ah, the Bruins injuries are going to debilitate them, but our injuries are basically a vacation. Awesome.