Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 keys to victory in Game 7

Here’s how the Toronto Maple Leafs can complete their upset of the Boston Bruins in Wednesday’s Game 7

The young, but feisty Toronto Maple Leafs have fought their way back into their series against the Boston Bruins. They found themselves in a 3-1 hole, but through sheer determination and some extra motivation to win, they have forced a Game 7. Whoever wins will advance. Meanwhile, the losers will have a long offseason.

Toronto has all the momentum going into the deciding game. In previous years, the Maple Leafs would have folded when down 3-1 to a team as great as the Bruins. Their comeback shows how much they have matured.

Let’s take a look at five keys to victory for the Leafs in Game 7.

1. Keep The Momentum

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Right now, the Maple Leafs have a ton of momentum. They’ve had their backs against the wall for two games. Though it wasn’t pretty, the Maple Leafs have won two straight games, leaving the Bruins to doubt themselves a little bit.

Toronto’s a young team, so for many of their players, this is their first experience in a Game 7. And those who do have experience would most likely prefer to forget it. This isn’t 2013. These Maple Leafs fought back when previous teams would have failed.

2. Stifling Defense

One impressive thing the Toronto Maple Leafs have done is take away the stretch pass from the Bruins. In the first four games, Boston utilized stretch passes for fast zone exits and odd-man rushes. However, Toronto has done a great job limiting these in the last two games.

The Bruins rely a lot on their speed and stretch passes. Especially with some slower defensemen such as Zdeno Chara. If the Leafs can continue to take away one of Boston’s most valuable weapons, that should put them in a great position to win.

3. Steady Freddie

Toronto goaltender Frederik Andersen had a very rough start to the series. The lowest of lows came when he got pulled in Game 4. But the playoffs are like a roller coaster – you’ve got to deal with your lows before experiencing the highs.

Lately, Andersen has been experiencing his highest of highs. In Games 5 and 6, he has seen 78 total shots against. Andersen has stopped all but four of them. He’s been their best player in the past two games. If this remains true in game 7, Andersen might never have to pay for a drink in Toronto again.

4. Their Best Players Must Be Their Best Players

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it’s hard to win without your best players being your best players. Your top skaters have to be the guys carrying your team. If they aren’t producing, chances are you aren’t winning.

Mitch Marner has been unbelievable for the Maple Leafs. He has eight points, including six assists, in six games, along with 14 shots. However, Auston Matthews and William Nylander, who finished second and third in points behind Marner in the regular season, have combined for just four points. Though the former has 23 shots on goal, whether it’s fair or not, stars have to produce in the postseason.

Luckily, the Maple Leafs have depth. James van Riemsdyk, Zach Hyman, Tyler Bozak, and trade deadline acquisition Tomas Plekanec each have four points. They’re going to be factors in Game 7. But if Matthews and Nylander can come up big, the Maple Leafs are most likely going to win.

5. Protect The Lead

The Toronto Maple Leafs nearly blew the series in Game 5. After grabbing a 4-1 lead, fans started panicking. Luckily, the Maple Leafs were able to hold onto a 4-1 lead against the Bruins. But Toronto did not make it easy, allowing two goals and nearly allowing Boston to tie it up.

Game 6 saw a much better effort from the Maple Leafs. If Toronto gets a lead in Game 7, they’ve got to do whatever it takes to hang onto it. This has been something they’ve struggled with all season long. So naturally, expect the Maple Leafs to have to hold a lead at some point tonight.

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