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NHL Playoffs 2018: Bruins vs. Maple Leafs Game 2 start time, live stream, TV schedule

By Derian Carmichael

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) settles in for the face off as linesman Mark Shewchyk (92) instructs Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Zach Hyman (11) during Game 1 of the First Round for the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 12, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 5-1. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) settles in for the face off as linesman Mark Shewchyk (92) instructs Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Zach Hyman (11) during Game 1 of the First Round for the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 12, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 5-1. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Can the Toronto Maple Leafs bounce back without Nazem Kadri against the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of the NHL Playoffs 2018?

After being dominated in a Game 1 loss to the Boston Bruins, the Toronto Maple Leafs will need to look to their franchise player to even up the best-of-seven series.

Auston Matthews saw a pair of streaks come to an end, as the Maple Leafs’ best player was barely noticeable in the Game 1 defeat. He entered the contest on a 10-game point streak, as well as a four-game playoff point streak dating back to last season.

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Matthews’ ability to step up becomes even more crucial after Nazem Kadri was handed a three-game suspension for boarding Tommy Wingels. Without their second line center, Toronto will need a strong game from Matthews now more than ever.

It seemed as if the Bruins were all over the Maple Leafs as soon as the puck dropped to begin their series. The physicality displayed by Boston appeared to overwhelm the smaller Toronto team as offensively the Maple Leafs appeared flustered an uneasy.

No one showed more signs of this than Matthews who struggled to move the puck and failed to release his normally dangerous shot in any sort of threatening manner. It could be a case of Matthews adjusting to the intensity of the playoffs as last year he went pointless in his first two career playoff games before scoring in four straight games.

Matthews is hardly the only Maple Leaf needing to step up to save their season. The trio of soon-to-be unrestricted free agents in Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk, and Leo Komarov will need to find a way to impact Game 2. The most notable thing any of the three did in Game 1 was when Brad Marchand licked Komarov’s face.

Bozak becomes a key player to watch in Game 2 as a strong performance in this series could earn him a significant upgrade for his new contract. It’s no secret van Riemsdyk will be offered a big deal after scoring 36 goals in the regular season but Bozak’s next contract is still a mystery. Without Kadri for the next three games, Bozak will be relied on heavily and it could be the type of situation based his performance that turns a future three-year deal into a four or five-year deal.

Related Story: 3 Reasons Why The Leafs Can Still Upset The Bruins

As for Komarov, based on practice lines it appears he could be bumped up from the fourth line to one of the top two lines in order to add more physicality. With Boston winning the majority of the puck battles in the corners by outmuscling Toronto, Komarov’s increase in playing time could help solve some of those issues. Although he’s limited offensively, if he’s able to knock the puck out of the corner towards Matthews or Mitch Marner he’ll have done his job.

As for Boston, expect more of the same in terms of relentless checking and constantly firing the puck on net. The Bruins had a clear game plan of wearing down the Maple Leafs by never passing on an opportunity to get physical. They’d follow it up by shooting from all angles simply to crash the net and bother Frederik Andersen in goal.

No doubt Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock has watched the tape over and over while game planning how to counter Boston’s attack. Babcock made two blunders in Game 1 after failing to review Boston’s first goal which replay showed was offside. He’d then send his fourth line on the ice late in the second period against the Bruins’ top line which instantly led to a back-breaking Boston goal. Babcock, just like the rest of the Maple Leafs must be better.

Live Stream Info

Date: Saturday, April 14th
Start Time: 8:00pm ET
Venue: TD Garden
Location: Boston, MA
Series Lead: Bruins lead 1-0
TV Channel: NBC, CBC, TVAS
Live Stream: NBC

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Look for the Maple Leafs to have found a way to withstand the Bruins’ attack early while committing less penalties. Special teams killed Toronto in Game 1 and something as simple as limiting their own penalties could make all the difference in Game 2. The loss of Kadri will hurt Toronto but if any team could survive losing a center it would be the Maple Leafs.

Toronto finds a way to hang on early before managing to escape Boston by evening the series.

Check out all of our NHL Playoffs 2018 coverage here!

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