"Seemed to take away too much of their focus" - Paul Bissonnette and NHL analysts weigh in on physical 100-hit Game 1 between Leafs and Bruins

By ARJUN B

Modified Apr 21, 2024 05:32 GMT

The first playoff matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins saw no shortage of physicality, with the two teams combining for over 100 hits in Boston's 5-1 Game 1 victory.

The grinding physical battle seemed to throw the Leafs off their game, leading analysts and former NHL player like Paul Bissonnette to suggest Toronto got too preoccupied with the hits.

"The thing about Boston is, they can play this way but also concern themselves with putting the puck in the net as well, because they are used to it," Paul Bissonnette said on the NHL on TNT show.

“Toronto more adapting to it where they made those adjustments from the deadline, where they added a few more guys and even on go back to last that line.”

Paul Bissonnette praised the Maple Leafs' physical play but he advised on their focus.

"I was happy with the physical play from Toronto, but it seemed to take away too much of their focus."

Paul Bissonnette cited an example of Reaves’s hit, focusing too much on retaliation rather than playing hockey.

"We go back to Reaves play where he got hit, focus there, as suppose to worry about his responsibility. There's a time to weigh your options and right now if they maybe just draw it back a little bit.

"I still want that aggressive play, I want them between the whistles, but in some cases you have to make the right hockey play and not worry about lighting a guy up."

Jake DeBrusk, John Beecher, Brandon Carlo and Trent Frederic scored goals for the Bruins. David Kampf scored for the Maple Leafs.

Jeremy Swayman made 35 saves while the Leafs' Ilya Samsonov made 19 saves.

Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 loss to the Bruins

The Toronto Maple Leafs fell behind early and could not recover, losing 5-1 to the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

Boston took a 1-0 lead just over two minutes in when rookie John Beecher scored his first career playoff goal on a 2-on-1 rush.

Brandon Carlo made it 2-0 on a long shot that found its way past a screened Ilya Samsonov. Jake DeBrusk then scored back-to-back goals to give the Bruins a commanding 4-0 lead.

The Leafs got on the board in the third period with David Kämpf deflecting in a point shot, but the Bruins shut down Toronto's high-powered offense.

Auston Matthews was held without a point. An empty netter from Trent Frederic sealed a 5-1 victory for Boston.

Sheldon Keefe believes undisciplined play hurt the Maple Leafs in their loss to the Bruins.

"Two high sticks, that's just carelessness," Keefe said postgame. "This time of year, you can't allow your stick to get up like that."

Tyler Bertuzzi and Auston Matthews took costly high-sticking penalties in the first and second periods respectively.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is set to take place at TD Garden on Monday.