Two weeks into 2023, the Boston Bruins still haven’t lost two games in a row.
Like the Bruins, who suffered their first home regulation loss of the season against the red-hot Seattle Kraken on Thursday, the Toronto Maple Leafs arrived at TD Garden fresh off a disappointing loss two nights prior.
In Saturday’s entertaining, playoff-like tilt, neither team provided any breathing room. Both teams punched and counterpunched with timely goals, highlight-reel saves, heated post-whistle exchanges, and more.
For every Matt Murray clutch stop — including his flashy glove save on Brad Marchand in the opening moments, there was Linus Ullmark stopping the Leafs on the doorstep with Tim Thomas-like stops, including a diving blocker save on Mark Giordano — with a bit of help from Taylor Hall along the way.