For Toronto Maple Leafs fans, Game 6 was tense. Once again, they put on a solid defensive effort to tie their first-round series against the Boston Bruins three games to three. It was yet another thrilling showdown at Scotiabank Arena, and once again, the Maple Leafs edged the Bruins in a narrow 2-1 win.
Now, the game is pushing to a decisive Game 7, which will be played on the road. Playing without star player Auston Matthews, the Maple Leafs played a tighter game and rallied when needed. All the scoring came from William Nylander’s set of two goals; except for an extra-man score with less than a second left in regulation time, Joseph Woll was a solid presence in goal.
Interestingly, this win came 57 years ago, on the day of the team’s last championship win. While the series is not over, and the team needs to win in Boston on Saturday night, the mood of the fanbase is reinvigorated. There’s starting to be some hope for a miracle.
Related: Matthews-Less Maple Leafs Win Game 5: Knies and Woll the Heroes
Three Reasons the Maple Leafs Beat the Bruins in Game 6
There were three reasons the Maple Leafs carried the victory on home ice.
Reason One: William Nylander Had a Breakout Game
First, William Nylander had a breakout game at the perfect time. Still recovering from whatever illness kept him out of the first games of the season, he scored his first two goals of the playoffs. These goals were all the team needed on the night.
One goal opened the game, and the second sealed it. They were the decisive factors that forced a Game 7. His performance lifted the spirits at Scotiabank Arena and highlighted his ability to step up and carry the team without Matthews in the lineup.
Reason Two: Joseph Woll Was Stellar in the Net
Goalie Joseph Woll delivered another outstanding game between the pipes. He not only continued his streak of wins in postseason games, but his calm confidence under playoff pressure inspired his team. He was able to handle the Bruins’ late-game push and maintain his composure.
Even better, Woll’s saves kept his team ahead, especially as Boston ramped up the offense in the third period. His ability to stay focused during inactivity and make big saves when needed underscored his growing reliability as a postseason goaltender.
Reason Three: The Maple Leafs Played a Resilient Team Defense
Despite missing star forward Auston Matthews for a second consecutive game, the Maple Leafs showed exceptional team defense. By limiting the Bruins to a minimal number of shots on goal throughout the game and clogging up shooting lanes, the Maple Leafs showed a collective commitment to a defensive game plan.
They might have made mistakes on the night but the team never waived from its strategy. And it worked. The defense-first approach neutralized some of Boston’s key threats and illustrated a significant shift in the team’s ability to adapt and execute a less familiar grinding style of play.
Get Ready for an Intense Bruins vs. the Maple Leafs Game 7
The stage is set for a dramatic series finale, with both teams having everything to play for in a decisive Game 7. The Maple Leafs head to Boston, where they will play Game 7. Can they maintain their level of defensive fortitude?
Opportunistic scoring will be key to overcoming the challenges of a hostile away environment. The Maple Leafs are much closer tonight than they were two games ago. Anything is possible.
Related: Is Half an Auston Matthews Better than None at All?
