Need to Know: Bruins at Maple Leafs

TORONTO - The Bruins and Maple Leafs have built up one of the fiercest rivalries in the National Hockey League over the last decade. Three playoff meetings and countless divisional battles across that span have stirred up plenty of hostility between the clubs.
But for nearly two years, the rivalry has been dormant as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the NHL's schedule and forced an all-Canadian division to be formed last season.
This year, as things slowly get back to normal, the clubs will finally renew acquaintances with three matchups, the first of which will come on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena (7 p.m. ET on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub).

"We haven't seen them in a long time so it will be nice to get back at it. We were developing a good rivalry there," said Cassidy, whose club last met the Maple Leafs on Nov. 15, 2019, in Toronto - a 4-2 victory for the Bruins behind two goals from Brad Marchand.
"Even in this building, I think our guys always enjoy coming to do battle here. That's it more than anything, just getting back at it with divisional rivals."

The Maple Leafs - off to a 6-4-1 start to the season - come into the contest having won four straight, including a 2-1 overtime victory against the Lightning on Thursday night. William Nylander paces Toronto with five goals and is also tied with John Tavares for the team lead with nine points in 11 games. Mitch Marner (2-6-8) and Auston Matthews (3-3-6 in eight games) have also provided their patented punch up front.
"They have a lot of great players in that lineup throughout," said Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron. "Anytime you're facing players like that, you have to be aware of the five guys on the ice and making sure you deny time and space but also passing lanes and really never quitting on any plays."
Old friends Nick Ritchie (0-1-1) and Ondre Kase (1-1-2) have both suited up for all 11 games this season for the Maple Leafs. Jack Campbell has played nine of the 11 games between the pipes and has put up strong numbers with a 5-2-1 record to go along with a 1.86 goals against average and .932 save percentage.

Saturday's Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith
Jake DeBrusk - Erik Haula - Curtis Lazar
Trent Frederic - Tomas Nosek - Karson Kuhlman
DEFENSEMEN
Derek Forbort - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Mike Reilly - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman