3 changes Toronto Maple Leafs need to make for Game 2 vs Boston Bruins

By Ryan Gagne

Modified Apr 21, 2024 21:32 GMT

The Toronto Maple Leafs dropped Game 1 of their best-of-seven series against the Boston Bruins 5-1. Last year, they lost their opening game to the Tampa Bay Lighting 7-3, only to rally back to win the series in six games.

Of course, the Maple Leafs overcame early adversity and got the job done. However, their history with the Lightning doesn't run as deep as the Bruins. The last time Toronto beat Boston in a playoff series was 1959.

Moreover, they haven't even beaten them in a regular season contest since Nov. 5, 2022, and they lost their last two playoff meetings in Game 7.

So falling behind the Bruins is just a continuation of the long-running narrative, but Toronto has the pieces to rewrite history and slay past playoff demons. How do they do it?

3 changes Maple Leafs need to make before Game 2

#3. Maple Leafs must stay out of the penalty box

Toronto fans took to social media to voice their displeasure with the officiating in Game 1. Ten penalties were called, with the Maple Leafs collecting six infractions and the Bruins just four.

As much as fans want to complain about the officials, they let some stuff go, letting the kids play. In the moments that Toronto took penalties, their infractions happened in front of the referees at the wrong times.

Both teams will play with an edge and get away with whatever they can, but they need to pick when to get that extra jab in or cross-check to the lower back.

Special teams will be one of the determining factors in this series, so the Maple Leafs and, for that matter, the Bruins need to be more disciplined.

#2. Auston Matthews needs to assert himself in every play

Auston Matthews scored 69 goals in the regular season and was one goal post away from tying Game 1 at 1-1 after a Jeremy Swayman turnover.

If Matthews, who took a penalty in the second period, finds the back of the net on that shot, it's an entirely different game.

However, outside of that one shot, Matthews and his usual linemate, Mitch Marner, were almost invisible during the game.

Auston Matthews and Jeremy Swayman in Game One

The Maple Leafs had four powerplay opportunities and finished the night with 36 shots, with only one beating Swayman.

Even though they are playing one of the best goalies in the NHL, they employ the game's most feared goal scorer and need to execute their opportunities better, which creates some doubt in Boston's lineup.

#1. William Nylander needs to get healthy and back in the lineup

William Nylander did not play in Game 1, missing his first game of the season after skating in all 82 games during the regular season.

He collected 40 goals (for the second consecutive season) and a career-high 98 points, finishing behind Matthews in team scoring.

With 35 points on the power play, his presence was sorely missed in Game 1 when the Maple Leafs failed to gain momentum on a lengthy 5-on-3 to begin the second period.

Considering it is the Stanley Cup playoffs, any time anyone misses a game, no further details are provided, so no one outside the dressing room knows why Nylander missed the first game.

However, if Toronto has any hope in this series, they need their best players, like Nylander, to make plays on the ice.