The Maple Leafs got one final practice in Wednesday before heading out to Boston to play Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Bruins Thursday night. And the extended time prior to the first showdown between the Atlantic Division/Original Six rivals has only heightened the anticipation of what promises to be a memorable clash.
"Real good for preparation, real good," Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said Wednesday regarding the three days of practice. "We got a real hard workout in on Monday, did special teams (Tuesday) and then just tried to be as quick as we could here today. But we're dialled into their team no different than they're good on ours. We should be ready to go (in) Game One, but, as you know, in all playoff series, it's a battle and we've got to be prepared. We're excited and we look forward to it."
Lengthy practice time builds anticipation for Leafs/Bruins showdown
"Just to wrinkle a few of the things out - the stuff we needed to work on and get better at - stay in shape and just kind of really focus on what the other team is going to do and do the best you can to be prepared for them," centre Tyler Bozak added in regard to the extended lead-up. "I'm sure every team is doing the same thing and we'll be really prepared come game time."
One advantage the Leafs do have heading into Game 1 is familiarity with each other thanks to a relatively healthy regular-season. Only two Bruins players participated in all 82 regular-season games, while only centre Auston Matthews (who missed 20 games) and blueliner Nikita Zaitsev (who missed 22). Boston managed to thrive despite the irregularity of their lineup, but in a relatively short series of seven games, a team that knows each other's instincts and preferences could find themselves in a better position.
That said, the Leafs are well-aware that health can change in an instant. That's what happened to them last season against the Washington Capitals in their first-round series: already without blueliner Nikita Zaitsev, Toronto lost veteran Roman Polak for the remainder of the series after a gruesome injury in Game 2. So although they're happy to have avoided the injury bug most of the year, the Buds understand the post-season is often a war of attrition.
"I think that helps us, for sure," Babcock said of Toronto's good health thus far. "In saying that, last year I think we started healthy and then two games in we didn't have two 'D'. That's just the way it goes, you've got to hope you stay healthy and that's part of the good luck in sport - the rest you earn - but that's part of the good luck is when you can avoid injuries."
Special teams also could impact the series in a major manner. The Leafs had the NHL's second-best power play this season, but the Bruins weren't far behind, claiming fourth-overall spot in that department. Boston had the advantage on the penalty kill, with the league's third-best unit; Toronto's penalty-killers were tied for eighth overall. Discipline will matter, and if one team falters and gives the opposition a slew of opportunities, the results could tilt the series in the favour of the most effective special team.
"I think that's important," Babcock said of Toronto's power play. "I think the penalty kill is important too, though. The penalty kill and discipline is going to be a huge part for both teams. They have good special teams, we have good special teams. Something has got to give in that situation. Obviously, getting off to a good start in those areas leads to confidence and free flow, especially on the power play. On the penalty kill it leads you to being more aggressive. Getting off to a good start in those areas will be important."
Although the pressure of the post-season grows with every day, every practice and every game, the Leafs were focused on enjoying the moments and giving Leafs Nation even more to be excited about.
"It's the best, it's why you play," Bozak said. "The whole reason you play is to get into the post-season, and anything can happen when you're in. We're excited for the challenge, it's not going to be easy, we're playing a really good hockey team. It should be fun."
Added Matthews: "We've made it into the playoffs in two years straight and we're heading in the right direction. We want to give the fans and the city something they can be proud of."
