FINAL SCORE: Bruins 3, Maple Leafs 2
BRUINS RECORD: 26-15-4
FROM JOE HAGGERTY:
1. Four goals in his last 10 games for Sean Kuraly, who scored a sniper goal in the second period after getting served up a perfect dish from Chris Wagner from below the goal line. Both Wagner and Noel Acciari were hounding Jake Gardiner along the end boards, and created the turnover that then led to the puck getting to Kuraly. Kuraly then also dished a pass to David Pastrnak directly in front of the net for the go-ahead goal as well. Kuraly has really begun stepping up the offense as of yet, and it’s making a big difference for the Black and Gold.
2. It was a pretty good first game back for Charlie McAvoy after missing more than two weeks with a foot infection. The 21-year-old was aggressive and smart with his offense, was stepping up and making plays with his body physically and showed the wide range of his game when he’s playing at his best. It was nothing crazy as far as shots on net or actual points on the stat sheet, but a couple of hits, a couple of blocked shots and some quality two-way play for a defenseman that the B’s truly need to get going in the second half.
3. It really is a crime this is the last time the Bruins and Maple Leafs are playing each other in the regular season. As it is the B’s take three of the four games in the season series with the 3-2 win on Saturday night. It’s an entertaining brand of hockey to be sure, and the final few minutes with Toronto attempting to desperately score a goal and at least secure a point was as good as it gets for back-and-forth action. Now everybody will have to wait for a possible first-round series just like last season, with the Bruins trailing Toronto by just two points in the standings at pretty much the midway point.
4. It wasn't been a great night for Brad Marchand, who missed a completely open net in the first few minutes of the first period and had as many giveaways (three) as shots on net (three) through two periods of play. Marchand tacked on three shots on net in the third period, but still finished with a minus-1 rating and zero points. Bruce Cassidy has taken Pastrnak on and off that top line tonight, perhaps reflecting that he hasn’t really seen the best of the Perfection Line through the first 40 minutes of this game.
Boston Bruins
Find the latest Boston Bruins news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
HIGHLIGHTS
SWEET SAVE BY GRZELCYK
KREJCI GIVES B'S EARLY LEAD
BIG SAVES BY TUUKKA
LEAFS GET ON THE BOARD...
...THEN TAKE THE 2-1 LEAD
KURALY TIES IT BACK UP
PASTA PUTS B'S BACK UP THANKS TO KURALY'S BEAUTIFUL PASS
UP NEXT
MONDAY: vs Canadiens, 7:30 p.m. (NBC Sports)
Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.