Bruins vs. Leafs Game 7 lineup: Projected lines, pairings, goalies originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
It’s only fitting that the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs play a Game 7 for the right to advance to the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
These teams met in the first round in 2013, 2018 and 2019 and each of those series went to a Game 7. The outcome was also the same every time: a Bruins win at TD Garden.
The Leafs look to end that streak and win their first playoff series against the Bruins since 1959. Toronto has lost a total of five consecutive Game 7s since 2013.
The Bruins are battling their own bad playoff history. If the B’s lose on Saturday night, they will become the first team in NHL, MLB or NBA history to erase a 3-1 series lead in back-to-back playoff runs. It would also be their seventh consecutive loss in matches where they were able to eliminate the opposition.
So it’s fair to say there’s a lot at stake for both teams in this match.
Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters that defenseman Andrew Peeke will not be available for Game 7, even though he was on the ice for the Saturday morning skate. Montgomery also said no final decision has been made on the status of veteran forward Danton Heinen, who missed Game 6.
Jeremy Swayman should start for the Bruins, although they have not officially announced a starting goaltender yet. As with the first six games, we’ll know for sure when pre-game warmups begin closer to puck drop. Swayman has a .932 save percentage in five starts this series. Since the start of last season, he has allowed two or fewer goals in each of his last nine games against the Leafs.
The mystery for the Leafs is whether superstar center Auston Matthews will play. Toronto’s best player hasn’t played since the second period of Game 4. He has missed the last two games due to an undisclosed injury/illness. Matthews was on the ice Saturday for the Leafs’ short morning skate and took part in drills. His status for Game 7 is still unknown.
The Leafs did everything they could this morning to keep some mystery surrounding their Game 7 lineup, namely whether Auston Matthews will play.
•They dressed all the attackers in one color
•They weren’t driving
•They kept the skating time at 15 minutes – then Matthews left— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) May 4, 2024
Still no decision on Auston Matthews’ status #To leaf through in Game 7, according to Sheldon Keefe
But no Bobby McMann
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) May 4, 2024
There should be no mystery in net for the Leafs. Joseph Woll started each of the last two games and posted a .961 save percentage. He was excellent.
One team’s season will end in frustration at the Garden on Saturday night. Here are the expected lineups for both teams. This story will be updated via puckdrop with notable news.
Boston Bruins (3-3)
Forward
Jake DeBrusk-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
Brad Machand-Charlie Coyle-Morgan Geekie
James van Riemsdyk – Trent Frederic – Danton Heinen (or Justin Brazeau)
John Beecher-Jesper Boqvist-Pat Maroon
Defenders
Mason Lohrei-Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo
Parker Wotherspoon-Kevin Shattenkirk
Goalkeeper
Jeremy Swayman
Toronto maple leaves (3-3)
Forward
If Auston Matthews plays…
Tyler Bertuzzi-Auston Matthews-Max Domi
Matthew Knies-John Tavares-Mitch Marner
Nick Robertson-Pontus Holmberg-William Nylander
Connor Dewar-David Kampf-Calle Jarnkrok
If Auston Matthews doesn’t play…
Tyler Bertuzzi-Max Domi-Mitch Marner
Matthew Knies-John Tavares-William Nylander
Nick Robertson-Pontus Holmberg-Noah Gregor
Connor Dewar-David Kampf-Calle Jarnkrok
Defenders
Morgan Rielly-Ilya Lyubushkin
Simon Benoit-Jake McCabe
Joel Edmundson-Timothy Liljegren
Goalkeeper
Joseph Wol
