The U.S. media didn't pull punches when breaking down how the Leafs and Flames did in their Game 1 wins 👀 (RoryBoylen)
Kevin Paul-Dupont wrote about the opening game of the series, focusing on how out of character their mistakes were, which opened the door for a quick, opportunistic Leafs team to take advantage of:
After finishing the regular season with 49 wins, their game most nights characterized by deft puck management and smart play in all three zones of the ice, the Bruins suddenly, and uncharacteristically, summoned their late-1960s California Golden Seals from within.It was not like the Tampa series last year in which they folded in four straight after taking a 1-0 series lead. In all four losses, they didn’t aid and abet the Bolts by beating themselves.
It’s possible the Leafs, too, are the better team in this series. They certainly are faster and they also have the trickiest player on the dance card in the gifted Marner.Adam Denhard wrote about how the style of play in Game 1 favoured the Maple Leafs and that when Boston, desperately, tried to match the Leafs in that regard it exacerbated their issues.
Toronto, meanwhile, had no ill effects of the long change. Over and over again, the Leafs found skating and passing seams, and capitalized thoroughly on Boston’s turnovers at their attacking blue line. Marner and Tavares both had golden breakaway chances, and Marner’s conversion to a penalty shot goal was the backbreaker.
…As play wound down, the Bruins tried to compensate by playing Toronto’s game, turning their east-west passing into longer and longer attempts at breakouts/breakaways. The passes were off-target or were called for icing. The ‘identity’ chances for Boston were where the better scoring chances came, as Charlie Coyle was a man possessed near the Toronto net.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Crease concerns: Flames, Jets and Leafs all have goalie questionsIt's said that nothing is more important in the NHL playoffs than goaltending but all three Canadian contenders have questions in the crease.
Read more »
Flames favourites, Jets, Leafs underdogs on NHL playoff series odds - Sportsnet.caAfter capturing their first divisional crown since 2006 and the top seed in the Western Conference, the Calgary Flames will open their first-round playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche as favourites.
Read more »
Jets, Flames and Leafs all have question marks in net heading into the playoffsThere are still questions about how far Mike Smith and David Rittich can carry Calgary, while Connor Hellebuyck hasn’t been quite as sharp as last season and Frederik Andersen has hit a rough patch
Read more »
Winnipeg Jets open first-round playoff series Wednesday, while Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames begin ThursdayWinnipeg will face the St. Louis Blues, Calgary will host the Colorado Avalanche, and the Leafs will try to get past their nemesis, the Boston Bruins.
Read more »
Jets open first-round playoff series Wednesday while Leafs, Flames begin ThursdayThe NHL announced the schedule for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs Sunday morning
Read more »
Mike Smith backstops Flames with 26-save shutout in Game 1 against AvalancheMike Smith backstops Flames with 26-save shutout in Game 1 against Avalanche Globe_Sports
Read more »
Flames top line hoping to regain form in Game 1 against Avs - TSN.caThe Flames are hoping the team's top line of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm will regain its mid-season form in Game 1 of Calgary's playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche.
Read more »
Flames' Mike Smith to start Game 1 against Avalanche - Sportsnet.caMike Smith will get the start for the Calgary Flames in Game 1 against the Colorado Avalanche.
Read more »
Flames to go with Smith in Game 1Mike Smith will get the call for the Flames in net over David Rittich. What led Calgary to make this decision? Where will Mikko Rantanen play now that he is back in the Avs lineup? Jermain Franklin has more.
Read more »