Okay, so maybe we’re only half way there for this series, but one time ACC banner haver Jon Bon Jovi never wrote any songs about being being 1/8th there. If he did I’m sure it would be a banger.
Anyways, there’s more Bruins and Leafs tonight and damned if the series hasn’t run the gambit of being entertaining, tense, rage inducing, but also peppered with joy and hope. Tonight the Leafs have the chance to really push for more of that joy and hope with a win that would give them a truly dominate position in the series.
So how do the Leafs get there? I guess we can start with the keep on keepin’ on approach. What they are doing has worked 2/3rds of the time, every time. And as long as Mitch Marner keeps on blocking shots with his face and the Bruins aren’t interested in adapting, the Leafs should be successful.
Lineups
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 ZACH HYMAN |
 JOHN TAVARES |
 MITCH MARNER |
|
 ANDREAS JOHNSSON |
 AUSTON MATTHEWS |
 KASPERI KAPANEN |
|
 PATRICK MARLEAU |
 WILLIAM NYLANDER |
 CONNOR BROWN |
|
 TREVOR MOORE |
 FREDERIK GAUTHIER |
 TYLER ENNIS |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 JAKE MUZZIN |
 NIKITA ZAITSEV |
|
 MORGAN RIELLY |
 RON HAINSEY |
|
 JAKE GARDINER |
 TRAVIS DERMOTT |
|
Yeah, no surprises here. I have the same concerns about the third line as the rest of you, but we can at least move on from the second line not performing, and Nylander centering the third line instead of moving up now seems justified. I’ve got plenty of time for any mention of swapping out Marleau though, because there really isn’t any reason for him being on the 3rd line. Ideally, I’d keep him on the fourth line and keep him fresh for running spirits in overtime a la Petr Klima in 1990.
I also want to make arguments for opportunities to see more of Moore, because I’m only human and I have fallen in love with Trevor Moore.
#NHLBruins practice lines:
Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
DeBrusk – Krejci – Kuhlman
Johansson – Coyle – Heinen
Nordstrom – Acciari – Wagner
Backes – CareyChara – McAvoy
Krug – Carlo
Grzelcyk – Moore
Zboril – Kampfer
CliftonRask
Halak
Vladar— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 16, 2019
Looks like Marcus Johansson is back and David Backes is out. It’s a shame because David Backes is truly terrible, but his departure means that there isn’t a player on the third line who’s only job is to injure Leafs, so it’s a mixed bag.
Goaltenders
Same story as its been all series. Andersen and Rask have both been outstanding and in Andersen’s case you can safely say he’s been the biggest difference maker for the Leafs (with all due respect to Nikita Zaitsev).
Start time is still in the viewer friendly 7pm ET range and the Leafs will be preempting Just for Laughs Gags on CBC.
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