"Obviously, rivals of ours," Kadri said of the Bruins. "They're chasing us, and they want to catch us because, come playoff time, home ice is pretty crucial, so it's going to be a good game between two good teams."
"They're playing well right now, so it's important that we're ready," Rielly said. "It's obviously a big game for us - it's a team within our division, so it's points that we want to get here."
The Leafs currently sit four points ahead of the Bruins in the Atlantic Division standings (with the Leafs holding a game in hand) and Boston has dealt with some savage bites from the injury bug, so this particular game may not necessarily resemble previous clashes between the two Original Six clubs - clashes the Bruins came out on top of frequently - and, instead, reflect Boston's less-than-ideal 9-9-4 road record. That's certainly what the Leafs are aiming for.
"I think we're a different team than we were last year, both in personnel and experience," said Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly. "This group has confidence right now playing against any team in the league. So we're looking forward to the challenge."
That said, part of the challenge for the Leafs will be shutting down Boston's top line of wingers Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, and centre Patrice Bergeron. The line has combined for 55 goals and 137 points - and that's with Bergeron being out of the lineup for 16 games due to injury - and the Leafs are well-aware of the importance of preventing them from getting any more points - at least, for this night.
"They just really bring it hard and they have a ton of skill," Leafs D-man Travis Dermott said of the Bruins. "And they're familiar with each other now. They're a handful, and we have to be ready to make it difficult for them."
The Leafs will host Colorado Monday, then depart for Florida mid-week to take on the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday and the Florida Panthers Friday. None of those games will be won without smart, fast hockey by the Leafs, and in that sense, Saturday's showdown with the Bruins isn't all that different. From this point on, every game the Leafs play will be a building block as they prepare for whatever possible playoff battle is going to come, and focus on improvement in all areas.
"We have to execute better and understand your opponent," Tavares said. "Especially (Boston's) top line, not giving them time and space. I've only been a part of (the divisional rivalry for) three games, but I get a sense of it being a divisional game and a battle for position."
"That's the identity of our team and we don't want to stray too far from that," Kadri said of the Leafs' speed. "Keep the puck moving north and south in straight lines. What stops us is coming through the neutral zone sometimes. Our offensive play is pretty outstanding with the elusiveness, the shiftiness and speed we have."
