For the fourth time in 12 seasons, the Bruins and Maple Leafs will collide in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, starting with Game 1 Saturday at 8 p.m. at TD Garden.
Toronto has not won a playoff series against Boston since 1959, with the Bruins triumphing in seven games in 2013, 2018, and 2019.
Even though it’s been five years since their last postseason showdown, the Maple Leafs’ DNA hasn’t changed much, with a roster buoyed by elite forwards but marred with flaws at the other end of the ice.
Here’s what you need to know about the Bruins’ familiar first-round foe:
Toronto’s greatest strength is offense — especially at five-on-five
It’s no surprise that a team anchored by Auston Matthews (69 goals, 107 points), William Nylander ( 40, 97), Mitch Marner (26, 85), and John Tavares (28, 64) relies heavily on its high-powered offense to put opponents on the ropes.