On Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs drove a more recent Boston Bruins demon closer to the surface while warding off their own long-standing spirits for at least a game.
In the fifth game of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series, which the Bruins now lead 3-2, the Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 2-1 thanks to a goal from Matthew Knies 2:26 into overtime.
Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena will host Game 6 on Thursday.
For the time being, Toronto managed to avoid losing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs opening round for the sixth time in the previous eight seasons.
Boston, on the other hand, hopes to escape its previous season’s playoff fate. In the opening round, the Bruins had a 3-1 lead over the Florida Panthers; however, they dropped their next three games and were out.
Star center Auston Matthews, who led the Maple Leafs with 69 goals in the regular season, was not available. He was sick and missed the game.
Toronto’s goalie was also replaced. Having started the previous four games of the series, Ilya Samsonov was substituted for Joseph Woll at the opening of Saturday’s third quarter in Game 4.
Tuesday night, Woll took the net and made 27 stops.
With 6:06 remaining in the opening frame, Trent Frederic became the lone Bruin to defeat him. The Maple Leafs have taken a 1-0 lead thanks to Jake McCabe.
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