2. Boston nets first goal 62 seconds into middle period, but Toronto replies 35 seconds later on Nylander's first of post-season.Bruins rookie winger Jake DeBrusk has had an impact for his team in this series, scoring twice and amassing four points in the first five games of the first round. And the 21-year-old made it three goals just 1:02 into the second period to give the visitors a 1-0 lead over the Leafs.
However, that lead was short-lived -35 seconds, to be exact - as Buds winger William Nylander netted his first of the 2018 playoffs (and his second career post-season goal) at 1:37 to even the score at a goal apiece. The scoring play began when Leafs defenceman Nikita Zaitsev's shot from the point was deflected onto the Bruins' net by centre Nazem Kadri, and the rebound went to a wide-open Nylander, who wasted no time in knocking it in. Getting the game-tying goal so soon after DeBrusk's goal was crucial for Toronto, who couldn't let the Bruins go ahead by a pair of goals and build momentum in an elimination game.
3. Toronto stakes out first lead on Marner's second of the playoffs.Winger Mitch Marner has been one of the most productive Leafs for most of the regular season, and the NHL sophomore scored one of the most important goals of his burgeoning career at 13:25 of the second when he spun around with a backhand shot in the Bruins zone and beat Rask for his second goal of the post-season and a 2-1 Leafs lead.
The goal was assisted by centre Tomas Plekanec, who posted his third point in his past four games. And it electrified an ACC crowd that was dying to see the Blue and White stake out their first lead of the night. That it came from such a fan favourite was a bonus, but the important part was that Toronto carried that lead into the third and had a good chance to even the series at three games apiece.
4. Plekanec nets empty-netter, joins Marner and Zaitsev with two-point nights.The third period only featured 15 shots between the two teams - eight for Toronto, and seven for Boston - but make no mistake, the intensity ratcheted up as the clock counted down. And it wasn't until Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy pulled Rask for the extra attacker - and Plekanec scored an empty-net goal with 1:14 left in regulation - that the final result wasn't in question and the Leafs knew they'd be playing a seventh and deciding game Wednesday at TD Garden.
Plekanec's two-point night was his first as a Leaf, but he wasn't the only Toronto player to register more than one point Monday: Marner got the primary assist on the empty-netter to give him a pair of points, while Zaitsev added his second secondary assist to give him two as well. And the third goal gave Leafs fans a huge sigh of relief as visions of Game 7 danced in their heads.
5. Andersen puts in another terrific effort, sets up major showdown Wednesday in Boston.Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen has raised his game as the series has unfolded, posting a save percentage of .933 or higher in three of his past four games. And the 28-year-old was at his best Monday, turning aside 31 of 32 Bruins shots to lock up the win for his team and set up a showdown all of Toronto will be watching Wednesday.
This was the first win in the series in which Andersen faced fewer than 40 Bruins shots, but he also had to deal with the physicality Boston's players are famous for. He took an elbow in the head from centre David Backes early in the third period, but shook it off and remained in the zone until the final buzzer sounded and he was named the first star of the game. Leafs players will tell you Andersen has been their best player more often than not this year, and in a game where defeat meant the end of their season, the Leafs benefitted from a Grade-A performance from their No. 1 goalie. If he can put up a similar showing Wednesday and gets offensive support from his teammates, the Leafs have a very good chance of moving on to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round.
