Tyler Bertuzzi reflects on reason for Maple Leafs' 5-1 loss to Bruins, emphasizes on change ahead of Game 2 

By Cole Shelton

Modified Apr 22, 2024 15:18 GMT

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi has a reason for the team's 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of their first-round series on Saturday.

Toronto struggled from the get-go against the Bruins, as Boston scored on their first shot of the game and cruised to a lopsided 5-1 loss. It was a disappointing performance from Toronto and Tyler Bertuzzi believes the team was nervous and took too many penalties.

"We took too many penalties," said Bertuzzi, via Sportsnet. "First period, obviously everyone was a little nervous just trying to get into the game. Stuff like that happens. But we've got to be a little bit more prepared to kinda tone it down a bit and not be so emotionally invested and stick within the game."

In the Game 1 loss, Bertuzzi played just 15:27 and was a -2, as he didn't record a point, while also taking a penalty.

Maple Leafs forward David Kampf backed Bertuzzi's words, as he spoke to the media and said Toronto was too emotional early on.

"Maybe we wanted it too much. High emotions," Kampf said, via TSN's Mark Masters.

The Maple Leafs will have a chance to correct their mistakes on Monday night as Toronto remains in Boston for Game 2.

Toronto Maple Leafs looking to flush Game 1 mistakes

In the opening game of the first-round series, Toronto had some undisciplined penalties, which head coach Sheldon Keefe was not a fan of.

However, forward Ryan Reaves says Toronto has already changed their focus to Game 2 and can't worry about what happened in Game 1.

"Almost the hakuna matata kind of motto. You can't be worried about what happened in the past. You just got to look forward," Ryan Reaves said Sunday, via Sportsnet.

The second game of the playoff series is set to take place on Monday night at TD Garden in Boston at 7 p.m. ET.

In Game 2, Boston is a -135 favorite, while the Maple Leafs are +114 underdogs. The Maple Leafs will need to play much better on Monday night to even up the series and head back to Toronto for Games 3 and 4.

The full Maple Leafs vs Bruins schedule is as follows:

Game 1: Bruins 5, Maple Leafs 1

Game 2: Maple Leafs at Bruins -- April 22, 7 p.m. ET

Game 3: Bruins at Maple Leafs -- April 24, 7 p.m. ET

Game 4: Bruins at Maple Leafs -- April 27, 8 p.m. ET

Game 5: Maple Leafs at Bruins -- April 30, TBD

Game 6: Bruins at Maple Leafs -- May 2, TBD

Game 7: Maple Leafs at Bruins -- May 4, TBD