Knies scores in OT, Leafs top Bruins 2-1 to stay alive - CP24

The Canadian Press
Published Tuesday, April 30, 2024 10:13PM EDT
Last Updated Tuesday, April 30, 2024 11:13PM EDT

Matthew Knies scored at 2:26 of overtime as the Toronto Maple Leafs topped the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Tuesday to avoid elimination in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.

The rookie winger scored after captain John Tavares took the puck hard to the net in the extra period to give the Leafs life.

Jake McCabe had the other goal for Toronto. Joseph Woll, who got the start ahead of llya Samsonov, made 28 saves.

Game 6 goes Thursday in Toronto. Game 7, if necessary, would be back at TD Garden on Saturday.

Trent Frederic replied for Boston, which still leads the best-of-seven series 3-2, but will have the memories of last spring's blown 3-1 advantage against the Florida Panthers in the opening round still fresh in their minds.

Jeremy Swayman stopped 31 shots.

The Leafs were minus star centre Auston Matthews after an illness forced him from the second intermission of Toronto's 3-1 loss on home ice in Game 4. The 26-year-old sniper, who led the NHL with 69 goals in the regular season, made a cameo at Tuesday's optional morning skate, but was unable to suit up alongside his teammates with the group facing elimination.

Woll made his playoff debut last season in Toronto's second-round defeat to Florida with Samsonov out injured. He played a clean third period Saturday that pushed the Leafs to the brink after his crease partner was pulled.

Toronto, which rallied from 3-1 deficits against Boston in 2013 and 2018 before losing in seven games, opened the scoring at 5:33 of the first period inside a nervous TD Garden.

Max Domi won a faceoff after an icing and Mitch Marner fed a puck back to McCabe for him to sift home his first of the series through a screen.

Woll had little to do at the other end with the shots standing at 7-1 until a tough bounce got the Bruins back even. Leafs defenceman Simon Benoit's clearing attempt behind the net hit Boston forward Pat Maroon and bounced in front to Frederic for him to bury his third at 13:54.

The visitors' perplexing power play — 1-for-14 in the series entering Tuesday — got a chance a minute later, but was unable to create much of anything in a period Toronto still dominated 12-2 on the shot clock.

The Leafs' under-fire penalty kill did its job early in the second before William Nylander, who missed the first three games with an undisclosed injury, rang a shot off the crossbar coming out of the box.

Woll made a nice pad stop on Morgan Geekie and Domi had a shot blocked that just trickled wide of Swayman's goal.

Toronto came close late in the period, but Boston held the fort before a scrum that included Bruins captain Brad Marchand going after Marner — and led to a Leafs power play that had 1:38 left to start the third.

But Toronto couldn't do anything with the fresh sheet of ice in falling to 1-for-17 with the man advantage.

Marchand then had a terrific chance after sitting a long time in the box, but could only scoop his effort wide. The Bruins forward and Pontus Holmberg were handed offsetting minors and Boston's Charlie Coyle rattled Woll's right post on a shot with the teams playing 4-on-4.

The Toronto goaltender then robbed Frederic in tight with 7:27 to play before Swayman stopped Tyler Bertuzzi on a 2-on-1 with Domi.

SWITCHING IT UP

The Bruins made two lineup changes, with defenceman Matt Grzelcyk replacing Kevin Shattenkirk and former Leafs prospect Justin Brazeau taking the spot of John Beecher.

Toronto blueliner Timothy Liljegren returned to the fold in place of T.J. Brodie, while Connor Dewar drew back in with Matthews out.

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2024-05-01 02:13:00Z
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Canucks don't reveal starting goalie for Game 5 against Predators - NHL.com

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks aren't announcing which goalie will start Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round against the Nashville Predators at Rogers Arena on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNE, SNO, SNP, BSSO, TBS, MAX) with a chance to close out the best-of-7 series.

"Game time," Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said Tuesday when asked who would start. "I usually tell you guys but this is playoff stuff, I was told it's game time."

Thatcher Demko, Casey DeSmith and Arturs Silovs have all won to help the Canucks build a 3-1 lead despite being outplayed for long stretches.

"We always talk about in the playoffs it's the next man up mentality and that goes for the goalies too," Canucks forward J.T. Miller said. "They've been unreal. I couldn't imagine being in their spot where you do a lot of sitting around. Even for Casey, he got to play a little bit down the stretch, which I think was big for his confidence but even for him to step into a playoff game out of nowhere and then for Arturs to come in out of nowhere and play, it's unreal. I'm really happy for the guys. Those are big moments of the series."

Demko has not played since Game 1 and is week to week with an undisclosed injury. DeSmith is dealing with an injury and wanted to play in Game 4 on Sunday, but the Canucks decided to take "the safe route" and Nikita Tolopilo dressed as the backup behind Silovs.

"I think both." Tocchet said, when asked if the decision would be based on performance or health. "You look at where that person is injury wise, you talk to the doctor, you talk to the trainer, and then you talk to him. There has to be a three-way conversation and then you just make your decision."

Tocchet did say he expects DeSmith to dress for the game.

"I'll put it this way," he said. "Casey had a good day yesterday, and so I would foresee if he did not play, he'd be a backup."

On Monday, Tocchet was more definitive about not hesitating if he must go back to Silovs, in large part because of how he handled the situation in Game 4. The 23-year-old Latvia-born goalie had only played nine games over two NHL seasons. He was 3-0-1 with a 2.47 goals-against average and .881 save percentage in four games this season but seemed unfazed by the pressure of his first Stanley Cup Playoff start in Nashville on Sunday.

Silovs made 27 saves in a dramatic 4-3 overtime win that included two goals with him on the bench for an extra attacker to tie it late.

"He's a quiet kid but he's got some swagger in him," Tocchet said. "It's hard to explain. He's just ready. You heard him [after Game 4], he said 'ready to shine.' That was kind of fun to hear him say that. … Even when I told [him Saturday] 'you're going to play,' I didn't see that much nervousness. I think he mentioned playing for Latvia [in the 2023 IIHF] World Championship, where he had the whole country on his on his back, so he's been there before in certain scenes."

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2024-04-30 21:56:15Z
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Auston Matthews unlikely to play Game 5 for Maple Leafs - The Athletic

BOSTON — Auston Matthews is unlikely to be available to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, according to a person briefed on the matter.

Matthews has been battling an illness and was forced to sit out the third period of Saturday’s Game 4 against the Boston Bruins. According to sources, he is also believed to be nursing an undisclosed injury, which made it more likely than not that he wouldn’t be able to play Tuesday with the Leafs trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.

He appears to be doing everything he can to try and play.

Matthews was the first Leaf to hit the TD Garden ice for an optional morning skate on Tuesday – appearing at 11:08 a.m. for the scheduled 11:30 a.m. skate. It looked like a sign that maybe he would be available to play in Game 5.

Matthews worked directly with Leafs assistant coach Manny Malhotra.

The two fired pucks back and forth to one another from a close distance. Matthews received passes on his forehand, brought the puck quickly to his backhand, and then flung it back to Malholtra. Then, Matthews stood in front of the net and tipped pucks that Malhotra shot from distance. He got his stick on just about every one of the dozen or so Malhotra fired.

And that was it.

Matthews didn’t exert himself much at all, which is noteworthy because, as head coach Sheldon Keefe explained over the weekend: “The effects have lingered and gotten worse when he’s on the ice asserting himself.”

Matthews left the ice after just eight minutes. He sat out practice entirely on Monday.

Though the Leafs didn’t officially rule him out for the game, Keefe didn’t seem overly optimistic about the possibility of Matthews playing when speaking with reporters. Should Matthews be unable to go, it would be only the second game he’s missed all season after sitting out one in December due to illness.

It would also be the first playoff game he’s missed during an eight-year NHL career.

“It’s always the doctor’s call,” Keefe said. “The doctors always make the call for the players in their best interests. They don’t put anybody in harm’s way.”

Team doctors pulled Matthews from Game 4 after the second period.

Matthews has three points in the series – a goal and two assists all registered during Toronto’s Game 2 victory at TD Garden that saw Matthews score the game-winner in the third period.

At Monday’s practice, Max Domi replaced Matthews on the first line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Mitch Marner and also skated in his spot on the team’s top power-play unit.

(Photo: Kevin Sousa / NHLI via Getty Images)

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'We have to be better': Tocchet talks Elias Pettersson, Canucks' mindset going into game five, and more - Canucks Army

‘We have to be better’: Tocchet talks Elias Pettersson, Canucks’ mindset going into game five, and more

Photo credit: © Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

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How the Leafs are preparing to play without Auston Matthews - The Athletic

“It’s a forecheck drill,” Sheldon Keefe said to Mitch Marner at Toronto Maple Leafs practice on Monday morning. “It’s blue’s puck.”

Blue being the colour of Marner’s practice jersey. They were the line that was supposed to be forechecking, in other words.

It was a mostly quiet morning otherwise for the Leafs ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday and potential elimination from the playoffs. No smiles. No laughs. Not much chatter. And no sign of Auston Matthews, who left Game 4 after two periods with an illness he just can’t seem to shake.

Keefe said Matthews’ status for Game 5 had “yet to be determined” but the team is “hopeful” he can play. “Of course we’re hopeful that he’s available and feeling good and back to himself,” Keefe said. “That’s what we’re hopeful for.”

And so the Leafs are preparing to be without their best player with their season on the line.

Max Domi took Matthews’ spot at centre on the team’s No. 1 line during Monday’s practice and also took reps in his usual position on the No. 1 power-play unit.

William Nylander, meanwhile, moved into Marner’s right-wing spot on the second line with John Tavares and Matthew Knies.

This, it seems, is how the Leafs would line up if Matthews is unavailable to go on Tuesday night. (Timothy Liljegren is set to replace TJ Brodie on the back end.)

Line	LW	C	RW
		Lyubushkin

There’s no understating how crippling Matthews’ absence would be in the biggest game of the season. He almost singlehandedly won Game 2 for the Leafs and is coming off a Hart Trophy-calibre regular season. He’s the best offensive and defensive player on the team.

“It’s not ideal to be without Auston Matthews,” Tavares said. “Obviously you’re talking about one of the best players in the world.”

And yet, the Leafs have also shown over the years, including this one, that they can pull together and win the odd game without him — or without some of their other top players, including Marner, Nylander (in that Game 2 win) and Morgan Rielly.

Matthews missed only one game during the regular season. He was unavailable because of illness, oddly enough, when the Leafs hosted Pittsburgh on Dec. 16. His team ripped the Penguins 7-0 that night anyway.

One combination that produced sparks: Domi, playing centre, alongside Marner. (The third forward on the line that night was Knies.)

Domi had a goal and two assists that night. Marner had two points himself.

That connection would explain, at least in part, why the Leafs opted not to, as they have in the past, promote Tavares into the top centre’s spot in Matthews’ potential absence.

“He’s done well with Mitch, he’s done well when we’ve had guys out,” Keefe said of Domi, who spent most of this season playing centre before shifting more recently to right wing. “Whether it was Auston or John, when they’ve been out, Max has played in that spot and he’s done a nice job for it.”

Tavares also has baked-in chemistry with Nylander, and there’s this: The Leafs would prefer that a Tavares-led unit goes head to head with David Pastrnak if they can help it rather than one fronted by Domi.

If there’s one thing that’s gone right for the Leafs this series, it’s the job Tavares’ line (with help from the pair of Simon Benoit and Jake McCabe) has done defensively against Pastrnak’s unit.

The downside of that work: The line hasn’t scored much at all, just one goal in Game 3 from Knies on a setup from Marner.

The Leafs will likely need more punch from that group if Matthews isn’t around — particularly from Nylander, a back-to-back 40-goal scorer who has 12 goals in his last 26 playoff games.

Nylander looked sluggish in his return to the lineup in Game 4 and was held off the scoresheet.

“Throughout the year, guys have been out of the lineup and I think we’ve rallied together each time,” he said. “If that’s the case then that’s what we’ll have to do.”

How much more Keefe can get that unit starting on offence on the road in Game 5 is uncertain. The big concern for the Leafs coach: Pastrnak.

Is he comfortable dropping any other line out there repeatedly for defensive zone faceoffs knowing Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery might pounce on a potential mismatch and drop Pastrnak out there?

He might have no choice but to risk it more often than he did in Games 1 and 2, if only to boost the chances of that line breaking through what Tavares described as the “layers” of defence the Bruins have around their net.

“I felt like last game they got a lot of sticks, a lot of bodies on pucks, and nothing was clean, even when you found ways to get into some good spots,” Tavares said. “You really gotta support each other really well, to be able to break through layers and pressure and be able to find the open areas and then obviously attack when the opportunities are there.”

Referring to Pastrnak, the Leafs captain said, “Obviously we know how dangerous he is offensively. You’re not trying to be overaggressive or high risk.”

If not Tavares’ line, the Leafs have to hope Marner can power the No. 1 unit in Matthews’ potential absence. Marner had a quiet Games 1-4 offensively while playing in a shutdown role against Pastrnak.

He still had a direct hand — a goal and a primary assist — on two of the Leafs’ six five-on-five goals in the series.

Playing on the top unit will free him up for many more offensive zone faceoffs and, playing with Domi, more opportunities to shoot the puck.

Marner has fewer five-on-five shots in this series (four) than Connor Dewar (five). Not enough.

If Matthews comes around and plays in Game 5, Keefe has an interesting choice of where exactly to use Domi.

Option 1: Keep him with Matthews, a look the Leafs coach hasn’t budged from for weeks now. That would require, potentially, moving Marner and Nylander around somehow.

Option 2: Move Domi down into the 3C spot, keep Marner with Matthews and look for more threatening depth with a possible third line of Nick Robertson, Domi and Calle Järnkrok.

Domi occupied Matthews’ usual spot on the right flank of the No. 1 unit at Monday’s practice. More interesting is the apparent adjustment — which will presumably stick even if Matthews plays — that will see Marner move to the bumper position.

There’s Nazem Kadri-like potential there for Marner — that is a weaker shooter pouncing on quick shots from the slot. Though he hasn’t played in that spot much at all, Marner should get juicier shooting opportunities from a position on the ice where the lack of zip on his shot won’t matter as much.

Marner will have even more space there if Matthews is available to play.

“No videotaping, Mark,” Marner shouted in jest to TSN’s Mark Masters, filming the work on his phone during the unit’s pre-practice session on Monday. “You’ll share our secrets.”

Guy Boucher, who runs the power play, appeared to be stressing the need for more support around the puck at that session — better retrievals, in other words.

The Leafs assistant coach placed a puck along the wall and had three of the five members of the unit crowd around before the group got into their set actions.

“We gotta be hungry,” Tavares said, “the way we work for pucks, work for opportunities.”

Nylander said the Leafs were intent on moving pucks around quicker on the power play and firing from more varied locations on the ice. “The focus is get the puck to the net and then get the rebounds and get those in,” Nylander said.

The Leafs are 1-14 on the power play in this series.

Keefe identified special teams (the penalty kill has killed off only 53.9 percent of the Bruins’ power plays) and goaltending as the two big areas for needed improvement in Game 5, whether Matthews plays or not. “They’ve had the edge in those areas in the series,” Keefe said, “and that’s tough to overcome.”

(Photo of Max Domi: Claus Andersen / Getty Images)

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Canucks stun Predators with improbable comeback in Game 4 - Vancouver Is Awesome

The Vancouver Canucks were down to their third-string goaltender in Game 4 against the Nashville Predators. With Thatcher Demko injured long-term and Casey DeSmith injured short-term, rookie goaltender Arturs Silovs stepped in to start on Sunday.

Silovs played a fantastic game but it wasn't until Silovs was pulled from the net that the Canucks came alive to win the game in the most unlikely fashion.

Just like in Game 3, the Canucks opened the scoring on their first shot of the game. Unlike in Game 3, it didn't take them 13 minutes to get that first shot. Instead, a clever set play off an offensive zone faceoff and a great pass by J.T. Miller gave Brock Boeser a wide-open net.

The Predators responded at 4-on-4 after interference penalties by Filip Forsberg and Elias Lindholm. Confusion in defensive zone coverage between Elias Pettersson and Filip Hronek gave Jeremy Lauzon an open shot at the point that Mark Jankowski tipped in to make the score 1-1.

The Predators took the lead in the second period on an odd-man rush, something the Canucks have rarely given up this season with their reworked defensive structure. With Nikita Zadorov taking away the passing option, Gustav Nyquist ripped the puck over Silovs' glove to make it 2-1.

As has been the case all series, the Canucks struggled to get shots on goal. They had just five shots in the second period, though Pius Suter hit the crossbar on the team's best chance, which didn't count as a shot.

That left the Canucks down by one heading into the third period but that one-goal deficit didn't last for long. 12 seconds into the final frame, Filip Forsberg redirected a Roman Josi centring pass into the net with his skate to give the Predators a two-goal lead.

The Canucks' coaching staff was unable to challenge the goal — kicking the puck into the net is not a challengeable play — but it was surprising the NHL didn't take a longer look. While you're allowed to redirect the puck into the net with your skate in the NHL, as long as there's no distinct kicking motion, Forsberg's goal certainly seemed borderline but a brief review by the NHL's situation room saw no issue with it.

It seemed like it was curtains for the Canucks, as the Predators went into lockdown, giving the Canucks nothing to work with. The Canucks had just three shots on goal in the third period with three minutes left in the game. 

But with Silovs pulled for the extra attacker, the Canucks pulled off an improbable comeback. 

It started with J.T. Miller sending the puck down low to Elias Lindholm, who threw the puck cross-crease to Boeser for the backdoor goal to bring the Canucks within one.

The Predators then had a chance to ice the game with Silovs once again pulled for the extra attacker. Colton Sissons, forced onto the backhand by the backchecking Elias Pettersson, sent the puck off the post, keeping the Canucks alive a little longer.

Boeser then stepped up again. After a brilliant keep-in by Quinn Hughes at the blue line, Miller threw the puck on net to create a scramble. Boeser picked up the rebound and sent it off the side of the net, but stuck with the puck and pulled it in front to tuck it in to complete the hat trick and tie the game with just eight seconds remaining.

Boeser's two goals in 2:41 sent a game that seemed over into overtime.

The overtime period lasted barely a minute. The third line of Dakota Joshua, Conor Garland, and Elias Lindholm came out and immediately struck gold. Joshua held off his man on the boards, allowing the puck to get to Garland down low. Lindholm was wide open in front and Garland found him; Lindholm made no mistake.

The wild finish gave Silovs his first-ever Stanley Cup Playoff win and made him the third goaltender to win a game in this series. He finished the game with 27 saves on 30 shots, coming up big in a high-pressure situation.

With the shocking win, the Canucks took a 3-1 lead in the series and could win on home ice as the series turns back to Vancouver for Game 5 on Tuesday, April 30.

BOXSCORE

Want a more in-depth recap of the game? Read the I Watched This Game feature coming later this evening or tomorrow morning. Don't forget to follow @passittobulis on X/Twitter to stay updated on the Canucks throughout the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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The Stanchies: Brock Boeser's hat trick helps propel Canucks to stunning, last second, come-from-behind victory over the Predators - Canucks Army

The Stanchies: Brock Boeser’s hat trick helps propel Canucks to stunning, last second, come-from-behind victory over the Predators

Photo credit: © Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

By The Stanchion

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Sheldon Keefe on the argument between Nylander, Matthews, and Marner on the bench in Game 4: "In the past, that wouldn't have happened... Guys wouldn't have talked" - Maple Leafs Hot Stove

Sheldon Keefe, Toronto Maple Leafs practice

After Sunday’s off day, Sheldon Keefe discussed the letdown of Game 4, the team’s mindset heading out on the road to Boston, the argument on the bench between William Nylander, Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner, and the status of Matthews’ health.

---

What is your message to the group after the Game 4 loss?

Keefe: It is just about recognizing where we are at here. We are in here today recovering and meeting because we are still alive in this series. We have an opportunity now where the schedule has given us a couple of days — a recovery day, a chance to discuss some things, and a practice day tomorrow before we get out on the road in a building where we won the last time we were there.

There are reasons for optimism. We are trying to make sure the players are aware and it is front of mind. We have to recognize what is ahead and how difficult it is going to be, but at the same time, know that we are preparing to win one hockey game.

What has to change to get your game back on track?

Keefe: Special teams are the biggest thing, right? There is one area that really stood out last night. Our power play had a chance to really get us going in that first period. It failed to do so. That was the most disappointing part of the game—the urgency level wasn’t higher at that particular time. That is a big one.

This series and these games that we have been in are far closer than it may appear. We need little things to shift over into our favour, starting with special teams, whether we are one finished chance away or one extra save away. The one game we won in this series was the game in which we scored a power-play goal at an important time and got a penalty kill at an important time. We need something like that to shift in our favour. One fewer mistake and one more positive puck going the other way.

That is how close it is. Even last night, we were not performing well as a team at all. When we gave up the goal in the first period, the shots were 5-3 for us at that time. We had given up three shots in the first period. It is a lot closer than it appears. We just need to get things to move over onto our side of the ledger.

Are you looking for a different level of urgency and desperation? 

Keefe: If you have to talk about urgency and desperation at this time of year, you are in trouble. Last night, on our first power play, to me, it was the most disappointing area of the game in that sense — urgency and such — but otherwise, we have played hard and competed. Last night was not a great night for us, but we got 50 hits again in the game, and we only gave up 22 shots. You don’t do those things unless you are defending with some urgency and competing. I think we have been good in that regard.

It is less about recognizing you are facing elimination and more about looking at it as an opportunity to go in on the road, give ourselves some life in the series, and bring it back home for a chance to get it right.

Has there been any improvement in how Auston Matthews is feeling?

Keefe: Not much update there. Luckily, we have a couple of days here. We thought the last couple of days would help us. For whatever reason, it is not one of those everyday, run-of-the-mill illnesses that come and go. It has lingered. The effects have lingered and gotten worse when he gets on the ice and asserts himself. We have to manage that and give him the time that he needs. We are hopeful that it will turn.

Are you considering changes to the top power-play unit?

Keefe: Last night, we made changes to the top power-play unit, and it got worse, not better. We will consider and talk about everything. We have time on our side in that sense. Today is less about such discussions and more about diagnosing some of the things that have been problematic while looking at some of the things that have gone well for us in the series and how we can continue to embrace and build upon those. Tomorrow, we will start to have discussions about the lineup and things like that.

The argument on the bench last night—do you consider it divisive, or is it something that might bring your team closer together? How do you view it the day after?

Keefe: I see it as something that happens when things aren’t going well. In the past, that wouldn’t have happened. Guys wouldn’t have talked—if you want to call it argue—it out. I look at it as progress. Those guys care. I don’t look at it as frustration. I look at it as the guys being upset and pissed off that they didn’t deliver for the team. They are pushing and challenging each other to get it right.

The better thing for me is the remainder of the game and the next opportunities we had at 6-on-5 and those types of things. They were working together, talking about it, making a plan, and talking in the intermissions.

These guys have been together for a long time. They are pushing and challenging each other to get it right. They know how important they are to the team. When they are not delivering, they recognize it. I don’t look at it as much more than that. Quite honestly, it is not the first time it has happened.

Is it something you feel you need to address in the moment, or is it something you leave for the players to take care of?

Keefe: Quite honestly, I was at the other end of the bench when it occurred. I don’t look at it as a big deal. I think it is important that those guys work through some things and figure it out.

They have great responsibility for our team and to our team. They take it very seriously. They are going to work together to find their way. That work together is really important not just for them but the remainder of our group. We all have to pull together. It is going to take that type of team effort to help us work our way through this.

What gives you the confidence that the team can push back? What has stood out about your team’s ability in that area throughout the year? 

Keefe: It is our ability as a team. We have a good team here. This series and games are a lot closer than it may appear. Last time we went to Boston, we were able to pull out a very good and important win. Throughout the season, we have responded well, particularly on the road.

For those reasons, we have to keep the focus narrow and control what we can control. Today is a good recovery day where we can get our minds right. We will get to work tomorrow and then head out to Boston.

What was your sense of William Nylander’s game coming off of his absence? How much room does he have to grow into the series?

Keefe: It was good for him to get the game. I thought he got better as it wore on. He looked like a guy who is definitely adjusting to the series and what is required for success. Some of the things he was looking to do are not available. This team defends very well, and he needs to adapt to the series. He will.

We talked to him about it. He was in our meetings during the series. It is another thing to get out there and execute. Willy is a guy who knows he can make a difference and wants to make a difference. He will make adjustments going into the next game that will help him.

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G4+ Game Notes: Oilers can take stranglehold on series with Kings - Oilers Nation

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1. G4+ Game Notes: Oilers can take stranglehold on series with Kings  Oilers Nation
2. Oilers set to battle Kings in crucial Game 4: 9 Things  Edmonton Journal
3. PREVIEW: Oilers at Kings (Game 4) | Edmonton Oilers  NHL.com
4. Kings’ defensive blueprint no match for high-flying Oilers  Sportsnet.ca
5. Oilers take 2-1 series lead after 6-1 rout of Kings in Game 3  CBC Sports

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Maple Leafs report cards: Once again pushed to the brink of elimination - The Athletic

Another Game 4 against the Boston Bruins results in another playoff loss. In what should’ve been a rally to tie the series was instead another 60 minutes of the Toronto Maple Leafs lacking the intensity, push and will to take their game to another level in the postseason.

The Bruins stuck to their system and gave the Leafs nothing to work with offensively, handing Toronto a 3-1 loss. The Leafs couldn’t cycle the puck, couldn’t set up plays, and couldn’t stack scoring chances on Jeremy Swayman until the third period, and even those were few and far between.

Despite the Leafs outshooting the Bruins 26-22, there was not a single time where they looked to be a threat to the opposition. And as fate would have it, each of Boston’s goals had an ongoing theme of things that have been backbreakers for Toronto this series and the season overall.

Boston’s first goal came off a defensive zone turnover, giving former Leaf James van Riemsdyk the chance to score his first in the series. Brad Marchand doubled the lead in the second period, converting on the team’s second power-play opportunity of the night. David Pastrnak scored Boston’s third goal in the final minute of the second period.

Similarly to Game 1, the Leafs only scored one goal through Mitchell Marner. The ice tilted a bit in their favour, but Swayman stopped all 10 shots he faced in that final frame.

We’re going to break the model of these reports and skip the “three stars” section; I think you’d agree with that.

---

Player reports

B

Matthew Knies 

I liked Knies’ defensive physicality, especially on the penalty kill. He had a great read in the defensive zone to cut off a pass to Pastrnak.

great read from Knies pic.twitter.com/0cq9oqAbXh

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 28, 2024

Morgan Rielly, Ilya Lyubushkin 

The only pair to finish as pluses in this one with a combined 16 hits. Lyubushkin had the new-dad boost going with some of his offensive chances. One came after activating from the blue line and another point shot hit the crossbar. And with how porous the short-handed squad has looked, it was good to see Rielly defend a high-danger rush without taking a penalty.

Joseph Woll 

He stopped all five shots he faced in the third period. I trust he’ll start Game 5.

William Nylander 

The Leafs were more successful entering the zone with possession when Nylander was on the ice, and they missed that at five-on-five. Unfortunately, Nylander’s presence didn’t improve the power play. After a slip-n-slide start in the first, Nylander found his legs and got two of the team’s better looks at Swayman from driving to the net and trying to make a quick move in tight.

Nylander looking for his first pic.twitter.com/CHODVrBewO

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 28, 2024

Joel Edmundson 

Along with Knies, his physicality in the power play was a plus. He also had two scoring chances in the third within seconds of each other.

C+

Mitchell Marner 

The goal was nice and saved the Leafs from being shut out on home ice in the playoffs.

Mitch Marner puts the Leafs on the board 🚨 pic.twitter.com/XPPI8KmLMt

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 28, 2024

The goal was what we’re used to seeing from Marner. But that doesn’t make up for his lacklustre performance. He’s getting a lot of attention, and by no means is he the only star who underperformed Saturday night.

Simon Benoit, Jake McCabe

The pair had a bit of a roller-coaster night. McCabe’s pinches led to odd-man rushes for the Bruins to pounce on.

David Pastrnak

3-0 pic.twitter.com/8dPhgpwlfD

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 28, 2024

C

Auston Matthews 

There wasn’t much going for him offensively, but he was throwing his weight to stop Boston’s forecheck when the puck wasn’t finding him. Matthews finished the game with only 14:16 of ice time, and he didn’t return for the third period.

Tyler Bertuzzi 

He was one of the few Leafs actively trying to get to the front of the net. It led to him getting the team’s best power-play chance — as far as location goes — and he took Swayman’s eyes away a few times for point shots.

Pontus Holmberg 

The stats read zeroes for Holmberg, but the way he defended the rush after Edmundson’s pinch is a clear example of why coach Sheldon Keefe trusts him in defensive situations.

C-

Max Domi 

In a series where discipline is an ongoing theme, that cross-checking penalty in the second doesn’t leave you much to be happy about, especially with Boston going on to score on it. The line didn’t have much out there and it didn’t change for Domi even after being moved to centre to replace Matthews in the third.

John Tavares 

His linemates didn’t have having much going at five-on-five, and Tavares wasn’t much of a standout either. Too many plays have been ending on his stick.

Nicholas Robertson 

With Nylander returning, I understand the thought process behind moving Robertson to the fourth line, but his style of play didn’t lend itself to the kind of game laid out in front of him. Space was limited, so Robertson couldn’t get many opportunities to generate shots. While he didn’t have the worst defensive mistake of his linemates, having Pat Maroon steal the puck to maintain pressure didn’t help.

David Kämpf

Speaking of styles not matching, Kämpf was better with Connor Dewar than he was with Robertson.

D

Ryan Reaves

That was a bad turnover, and it led directly to Boston’s first goal. It also ended the entire line’s usage in the first period, and they didn’t return until the 16:30 mark of the second.

James van Riemsdyk

1-0 Boston pic.twitter.com/bK15F9iaCe

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 28, 2024

Ilya Samsonov 

Another lost goaltending battle. Samsonov gave van Riemsdyk a lot to shoot at on the first goal, albeit it off a turnover. The penalty kill needs to be better at clearing the puck and clearing traffic in front of Samsonov. Nevertheless, Marchand had so much room to shoot at with how late Samsonov was getting to the left.

Brad Marchand

2-0 pic.twitter.com/z9fsW8LOE1

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 28, 2024

There isn’t much Samsonov could’ve done on the third goal, but at that point, a change in goal was necessary.

D-

TJ Brodie

The veteran finally returned to the lineup after watching the first three games from the press box — three games in which the team gave up five power-play goals on 10 opportunities. Pucks and players were getting past him too often at five-on-five and although he was on the ice for the power-play goal, I wouldn’t pin it on him. That said, as the last defender back, he could’ve handled the Marchand-Pastrnak rush better.

---

Game score

---

Final grade: D-

There’s a significant and consistent difference in zone speed between the Leafs and the Bruins. When it comes to getting to pucks, getting in the way of puck carriers and getting in lanes, Boston is quicker. So many runs in the offensive zone went for naught from an extra second or two of holding onto the puck.

The Bruins understand the assignment. If they attack the carriers and take away the time to make a decision and the space to act on it, the Leafs are bottled. It’s almost as if their issues on the power play spread to their five-on-five play. They are still waiting for the perfect play instead of going to the basics. And the lack of traffic in front of Swayman is even making that strategy ineffective.

Swayman stopped nothing of significance and cruised for the rest of the game. Why? Because he didn’t have to. The Bruins kept the Leafs to the outside and forced them to settle for perimeter shots that were either blocked by a stick or easily stopped by Swayman.

---

What’s next for the Leafs?

Game 5 is on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET). It’s short and simple, win or, for another year, you’re out in the first round.

(Photo of Mitchell Marner battling for the puck: Nick Turchiaro / USA Today)

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All in: Frustration boils to surface as Leafs struggle to get on same page - Video - TSN

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NHL playoffs: Leafs on the brink of elimination after Game 4 loss to Bruins - CP24

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
Published Saturday, April 27, 2024 10:59PM EDT
Last Updated Saturday, April 27, 2024 11:32PM EDT

TORONTO - Brad Marchand became the Bruins' all-time leading playoff goal-scorer and added an assist as Boston suffocated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Saturday to take a 3-1 lead in the teams' first-round playoff series.

James van Riemsdyk and David Pastrnak had the other goals for Boston, which can close out the best-of-seven series Tuesday at home in Game 5. Jeremy Swayman made 24 saves.

Mitch Marner replied for Toronto. Ilya Samsonov stopped 14-of-17 shots in 40 minutes of action. Joseph Woll played the third and finished with five saves. Leafs star Auston Matthews, who missed practice Friday, played two periods, but didn't come out for the third.

Game 6, if necessary, would be back in Toronto on Thursday.

Leafs winger William Nylander made his 2024 playoff debut after missing the first three games with an undisclosed injury.

Swayman, who also played Games 1 and 3, got the start over Linus Ullmark as the Bruins strayed from their crease rotation that had seen the goaltenders rotate starts since February.

Toronto, which won a post-season series for the first time since 2004 last spring, was unable to connect on two first-period power plays - dropping to 1-for-13 in the series - with the crowd buzzing before the visitors pushed ahead.

Leafs tough guy Ryan Reaves had the puck in the defensive zone, but had it knocked off his stick by Bruins rookie defenceman Mason Lohrei. Van Riemsdyk, who played in Toronto from 2013 though 2018, jumped on the miscue and outwaited Samsonov to score his first goal of the series at 15:09.

Toronto winger Max Domi took a cross-checking penalty seven minutes into the second, and Boston's red-hot power play took advantage with its sixth goal in four games when Marchand one-timed his second of the playoffs - and the 56th of his post-season career to pass Cam Neely for top spot in franchise history - at 8:20.

The goal was also Marchand's 12th playoff goal at Air Canada Centre/Scotiabank Arena to tie Bryan Trottier for the most by a visiting player at an opposing arena in NHL history. Trottier scored 12 times in the post-season at Washington's Capital Centre.

Frustration started to creep onto the Leafs bench as the period progressed, with Matthews and Mitch Marner getting into an animated discussion. William Nylander was caught on camera muttering to himself before Marner slammed his gloves.

The Bruins, who topped Toronto in seven games in the opening round of the 2013, 2018 and 2019 playoffs, put things to bed with 41.6 seconds left in the period on another series of Leafs miscue that led to a 2-on-0 where Marchand fed Pastrnak for his second.

Fans were encouraged to make noise after some criticism about the atmosphere in Game 3, but channelled that energy into a loud chorus of boos as the clock ticked down to the intermission.

The Leafs made the goaltending change and were without Matthews when Toronto defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin rattled Swayman's crossbar three minutes into the third.

Marner finally got the home side on the board when he slid his first of the playoffs past Swayman at 5:42.

The Bruins goaltender then denied Joel Edmundson on two successive chances with the Leafs pressing.

Toronto got another power play with less than six minutes to go in regulation, but barely gained control in the offensive zone to fall to 1-for-15 in the series.

The boos returned in the final minute to send the Leafs, who now need three straight victories against a team that has won 10 of the last 11 head-to-head, to keep their season alive.

A LEGEND HONOURED

The Leafs paid tribute to late play-by-play man Bob Cole - the famed broadcaster was the voice of hockey for generations of Canadian fans - with a video montage of some of his memorable calls before puck drop. Cole died Wednesday at age 90.

DAD STRENGTH

With two days off between Games 3 and 4, Lyubushkin flew to California to be with his wife following the birth of the couple's daughter.

Acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in February, the Russian defenceman missed Friday's practice, but was back in Toronto hours later.

“You feel different energy,” Lyubushkin said of jumping back into playoff action. “It's good emotion.”

McMANN IMPROVING

Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said winger Bobby McMann - out with a lower-body injury since the regular-season finale April 13 - is expected to resume skating soon.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2024.

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Frustration spills over for Maple Leafs core as season, future hangs in balance - Sportsnet.ca

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"We're desperate too": Canucks preparing for Predators' all-out effort | Offside - Daily Hive

Good Co. Bars is your home for the playoffs! Enjoy $5 beers, prizes, a full game-day experience, and the best atmosphere to catch the game. Join us at any of our 5 locations.

---

The Vancouver Canucks are one win away from taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their first round series against the Nashville Predators.

While it wasn’t pretty, they managed to win Game 3 by a score of 2-1 last night, restoring their series lead.

“Not our prettiest game but anytime you can grind out a win in the playoffs, they just did the opposite to us a couple games ago, it doesn’t matter, a win’s a win this time of year,” said Carson Soucy today.

The Canucks had just 12 shots yet managed to escape with a narrow victory on the back of their special teams.

“We defended a little more than we would have liked but at the same time power play was good, penalty kill was good so you’ve got to look at the positives,” continued Soucy.

Now the team is looking forward to Game 4 tomorrow where they’ll have the chance to take a 3-1 lead before the series heads back to Vancouver.

They’ll be facing a desperate Predators team who will do anything to avoid making Game 5 an elimination opportunity at Rogers Arena. That prospect of facing a team with their backs against the wall doesn’t scare the Canucks.

“It’s not going to be easy next game, they’re going to be better,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette said after practice as he prepares his team for the crucial matchup. “We’ve got to put the pedal to the metal here a little bit.”

The Canucks understand they’ll need to be better to match the Predators.

“We’re desperate too because we know that we have more to give. A win is a win at this time of year but we know that we’ve got more and we’ve got better,” explained Soucy.

Despite the positive result, the team is looking for performance much stronger than the one on Friday night.

“If we work a little harder, I think we have to work five yards harder to our spots, that will help our breakouts, our neutral zone forecheck. It’ll make us connect,” said head coach Rick Tocchet about what the team needs to do in the upcoming crucial Game 4.

The puck drops tomorrow at 2 pm PT as the Predators and Canucks face off in an early time slot.

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Wow! Edmonton Oilers take the life out of L.A. Kings in Game 3 - Edmonton Journal

Published Apr 26, 2024  •  Last updated 2 hours ago  •  4 minute read

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Cody Ceci join Evander Kane of the Edmonton Oilers at the bench after his goal during the second period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on April 26, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Sean M. Haffey /Getty Images

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The Edmonton Oilers restored the natural order of things Friday, pounding the Los Angeles Kings back into their role as the second-best team in this series.

If there was any fear that the Kings had figured Edmonton out and were about to use the home-ice advantage they’d stolen in Game 2 to pull an upset, it was dead and buried by the end of the first period.

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And so were the Kings.

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The Oilers wrapped this one up in 20 minutes, jumping out to a 3-0 lead on goals from the Big Three — Zach Hyman at 6:42, Leon Draisaitl at 15:36 and Connor McDavid at 18:34 — and never looking back.

“We had a strong start and just built off of that,” said Darnell Nurse. “That first period was great for us.”

Evander Kane left his mark on the night with a Gordie Howe hat-trick, picking up an assist in the first period, a goal in the second and a fight in the third after taking a high hit from big Andreas Englund.

The 6-1 victory gives the Oilers a 2-1 series lead, restores home-ice advantage and reestablishes Edmonton’s dominance in a rivalry that’s seen them win 11 of the last 15 games dating back to last season. They’ve scored 17 goals in three games.

“We did a lot of good things,” said McDavid, who finished with three points. “Special teams was great. Stu (Skinner) was a rock back there for us. The penalty kill did its thing and five-on-five we were were solid. A lot of positives but it just counts as one win, that’s all. We have to be ready for a big one Sunday.”

This was all Oilers from the quick start to the suffocating finish.

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“When all those things are going in the right direction we’re a force,” said Nurse. “We have to continue to do it. We can’t just do it one game and take the next game off. That’s what makes Game 4 so important.”

Rebounding after a shocking 5-4 overtime loss in Game 2, the Oilers were in peak playoff form. Hyman’s first goal to make it 1-0 was nothing more than a determined forward jamming away at the puck in the crease. McDavid’s power-play goal was the same thing — he took it to the net and had three hacks at it before it was 3-0 Oilers.

Perhaps the most deflating goal of the series came late in the first period when the Oilers walked right through L.A.’s vaunted 1-3-1 and made it 2-0 on Draisaitl’s sharp angle shot. The Kings had plenty of time to get set up but Draisaitl and Evander Kane gained the zone and scored without even having to break stride.

Draisaitl became the fastest player in NHL history to score 20 goals on the road, taking just 26 games to move ahead of Kevin Stevens and Bernie Nicholls.

Viktor Arvidsson of the Los Angeles Kings controls the puck past the defence of Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Sean M. Haffey /Getty Images

SAD ZEBRAS

Referees Peter MacDougall and Chris Rooney butchered this one, missing obvious penalties, calling chintzy ones and finally taking Los Angeles out of the game for good in the third period by giving Edmonton a two-man advantage for a full two minutes after a scrum at centre ice.

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It was an absolutely bizarre ruling — handing three minors to L.A. and one to Edmonton after the fairly harmless shoving match. Edmonton made it 5-1 on the ensuing five-on-three.

Just a rough night that both of them would probably want to have back.

Skinner a winner

Stuart Skinner didn’t have to worry much about the pressure of needing a bounce-back game or having the weight of the series on his shoulders. He had a 3-0 lead before the Kings had their eighth shot on net.

Still, Skinner did all he needed to do on a night that his team was firing on all cylinders — don’t give the other guys anything easy. He turned in a strong night overall, stopping 25 of 26 shots.

California toast

Returning to Los Angeles was supposed to be the bump the Kings needed to pull ahead in the series, maybe for good. They were 12-2-1 in their last 15 home games, after all, while the Oilers haven’t been great on the road (8-7-2 dating back to February, not counting the two throwaway road games at their end of the season when they were resting a bunch of their players).

But it was the Oilers who made Crypto-com Arena their own.

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Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers skates to a puck during the second period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Sean M. Haffey /Getty Images

Killing them softly

L.A.’s power play is where momentum goes to die. They had two power plays in the first 10 minutes, a golden opportunity to take the lead and bring the crowd to life, and they couldn’t do anything with them. Same goes for a second-period man advantage with the score 4-1. The Kings are 0-for-9 in the series.

“As a guy who spends a lot of time on the power play, when things are’t clicking it can be frustrating,” said McDavid. “Our kill did a great job. They were flying around the nice not allowing them to get set up and when they were set up we were doing a great job of being in lanes.”

Edmonton’s power play, meanwhile, has six goals in three games.

E-mail: rtychkowski@postmedia.com

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