Boston Bruins Rake Maple Leafs Out of Playoff Run

Thursday night, the Bruins (38-28-10) came into the Garden looking to continue their push to the playoffs.

With a win against the Leafs on Tuesday in Toronto, the Bruins had a lot of momentum as they finished the season series with the Maple Leafs in Boston.

The Leafs (34-32-10) needed every point they could get as they were six points behind the eighth-place Bruins. As the puck dropped, the Leafs knew the points wouldn’t come easily.

In the first period, Toronto got many quality chances as play went on for 12 straight minutes, but Tim Thomas came through with key saves.

The Bruins also got their fair share of chances, testing Toronto goalie Vesa Toskla. The Bruins had 10 shots in the first, and one was a goal. The Bruins finished the period ahead 1-0.

The second period got underway with Darcy Tucker still in the box from for high sticking during the first period.

The Bruins came out on the power play but couldn’t convert, and the ice began to tilt in the Maple Leafs' favor. Jiri Tlusty scored with assists from Leafs captain Mats Sundin and Leafs center Nik Antropov. 

Toronto had stolen the momentum from Boston and the score was tied 1-1. Toronto tried to catch a break with momentum on their side, and they got one as Shawn Thorton went to the box for high sticking.

The Leafs went on the power play but weren't able to convert. Boston went back on the power play as Ponikorovisky went to the box for tripping.

The Bruins would not convert again and finished the period 0-2 on the power play. Toronto finished the period 0 for 1.    

Toronto had only one more period to try and stay alive and be within four points of the eighth-place Bruins, but the Bruins decided to finish the game their way.

Boston won the face off and got a shot off, but Taskla gloved it and hung on. Then Shane Hnidy sent a long pass to Peter Schafer that found Phil Kessel ahead of the play and scored.

Toronto couldn't believe that an offsides penalty was not called on Kessel, but the goal stood and gave Boston the 2-1 lead. Then Toronto’s Ian White went the box for hooking, and the Bruins got a third chance on the power play.

The Bruins won the face off and set up in Toronto's zone. Aaron Ward passed to David Krejci who found Glen Murray, giving Boston a 3-1 lead and a power play goal.

As play continued, the Maple Leafs gained possession in the Boston zone behind the net. Krejci got his arm around the player and went to the box for holding at 13:47 of the third.

With just 47 seconds left on the Toronto power play Pavel Kubina got a one timer from Jason Blake and tied the game 3-2. Then just 23 seconds later Vladimir Sobotka passed to Phil Kessel, who found Peter Schafer for the 4-2 lead.

The Bruins knocked the Leafs out of the play offs and climbed up to seventh place. The final score was 4-2 Boston. 

Boston also out shot Toronto 34-32.