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The Toronto Maple Leafs followed the same successful blueprint that resulted in a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 5 in Game 6 at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday, and with their backs against the wall, the Leafs stepped up defensively and physically to match the Boston Bruins, received clutch goaltending from Joseph Woll, and saw one of their core group bust through offensively, as William Nylander’s two-goal performance resulted in a 2-1 victory and a Game 7 conclusion to the best-of-seven series at TD Garden on Saturday.
Nylander scored late in the second period on a shot that deflected off of Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy past goalie Jeremy Swayman, and added a breakaway goal late in regulation with Boston preparing to pull Swayman for an extra attacker.
“That is what you are looking for from a player of his caliber.” Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game. “We all know Willy as a guy who has come through for us in the playoffs. He finds a way. He was outstanding tonight—not just on the two goals, but he competed extremely hard off the puck and defended really hard.”
Woll was not tested early, as the Bruins had only one shot on goal into the second period, but as with Game 5, the Leafs goalie became increasingly busy as the game evolved and became central to their holding onto the lead in the third period.
“It (was) such a tight game. It (was) such a tight game in Game 5. You are facing elimination. If you make some mistakes there, it is curtains.” Keefe said. “The guys are also competing for (Woll) and giving him every opportunity to find his way in the series. He is rewarding them. When there are breakdowns, he has been great.”
The Leafs have seen a number of unexpected players rise to the occasion, like Woll, Matthew Knies, Pontus Holmberg, and Jake McCabe, but if they are to win a deciding game they will need them and some of the core group to contribute. John Tavares led Toronto forwards uncharacteristically with seven hits, but they will need him to also make plays like the assist on Knies game-winner in Game 5.
Mitch Marner was much better than he was earlier in the series, but for the Leafs to win, they will need their premier playmaker to get the power play to generate scoring chances. The unknown factor continues to be whether leading scorer Auston Matthews will be able to go on Saturday. Matthews skated with injured forward Bobby McMann before the main group for nearly 30 minutes on Thursday, and Keefe said on Friday that he was on the ice again prior to the club departing for Boston.
"There’s been progress. He skated again here today, but no determination on his availability."
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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