Game 7 preview: Bruins vs. Maple Leafs, everything on the line

Just the facts

When: Tonight, 8 PM ET

Where: TD Garden — Boston, Mass.

How to follow: ABC, ESPN+, 98.5 The Sports Hub, TBS, MAX

Opposing perspective: Pension Plan Puppets

Know your enemy

• Series tied, 3-3
• Max Domi: 1G-3A-4PTS; Auston Matthews: 1G-2A-3PTS; Matthew Knies: 2G-1A-3PTS; four others with three points
• Joseph Woll: 2-0-0, 0.86 GAA, .964 save percentage

Game notes

• While it’s not the outcome Boston Bruins fans wanted, tonight has all the makings to be a dramatic finish to the season for either the B’s or the Toronto Maple Leafs, battling it out in a Saturday night, Game 7, Original Six showdown. It’s a one-game series now.
• Looking back, the Bruins had the advantage for the majority of the series, dominating on the power play, Brad Marchand having a series, Jeremy Swayman coming up huge and the team really limiting any production from Toronto’s top line.
• But to say it’s been a rough two games for the Bruins on the production end since leading the series 3-1 is an understatement.
• There’s no concern between the pipes as Jeremy Swayman has been excellent. Let’s get that out of the way.
• What’s worrisome heading into the game is the Bruins have only managed to score two goals in six full periods and a little overtime compared to 14 goals from Games 1 to 4.
• Two shots in Game 5’s first period and one shot in Game 6’s first period — that’s not going to win a game either. The Maple Leafs have stepped up their game and crowded shooting lanes down the middle which has limited the Bruins’ opportunities to get more shots on net.
• The Bruins will need to start the game on time and generate offensive zone time. That’s probably the biggest thing and can be a huge momentum shift early on, even if they get a quick one or take the lead at the end of the first.
• The Bruins still hold the edge in special teams as well which will likely be a major key tonight. The B’s have scored six goals on the power play this series and are 95% on the penalty kill.
• Injuries: It’s undetermined if Auston Matthews will play tonight. He’s been skating on his own at practices, but still no word on what’s going on with an undisclosed “injury” or “sickness.”

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