The Boston Bruins played the ninth game of their season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. The 5-2 loss came as their third game lost in five contests.
The Atlantic Division matchup showed favorability to the Bruins in the shot chart; the B’s outshot the Leafs 44-36. Unfortunately for the Bruins, their high shot total didn’t translate to a victory.
Taylor Hall started off the scoring with his first power play goal of the season in the first period. Hall’s tip-in goal was assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. That came as Marchand’s sixth power play assist and Bergeron’s second.
About four minutes after Hall’s score, John Tavares scored an even strength goal on Linus Ullmark. The goal deflected off his skate as Alex Kerfoot was screening Ullmark.
The second period was all Toronto. They outshot Boston by 10 in that period and scored two power play goals. Auston Matthews showed why he’s one of the best players in the NHL, as he scored his first goal of the game with a backhand shot past Ullmark. Mitchell Marner picked up his second assist of the game on that Matthews goal. Less than four minutes later, Matthews continued his hot streak and snuck another puck past Ullmark on the power play.
The Leafs went into the third period already with a comfortable 3-1 lead, but didn’t take their foot off the gas pedal. Less than three minutes into the final regulation period, Tavares scored his second goal of the game and gave Toronto a three-goal lead.
The next goal was scored by David Pastrnak, but it barely put a dent in this Toronto lead. Pastrnak’s third goal of the year earned Marchand his second assist of the night.
Marner’s empty net goal was the dagger and gave him four points in a packed Scptiabank Arena. Marner earned the first star for his performance. Matthews (2G) and Tavares (2G, 1A) earned the second ad third stars respectively.
The goalie Linus Ullmark had a long night in net. The Swede had a .886 save percentage and got credited for his second loss in five games.
Jack Campbell, the Toronto goalie, had a great performance in net. Campbell posted a .955 save percentage to continue his stellar season. The 2010 11th overall pick has a .936 save percentage, 1.88 GAA and 6-2-1 record this year.
The Bruins will look to bounce back from this loss Tuesday at home against the Ottawa Senators. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm at TD Garden.