Recap: Bruins jump out to 3-0 lead, hold off Leafs late to take Game 4

The Bruins will take a 3-1 series lead back to Boston.

Jim Montgomery officially ended the goalie rotation. William Nylander returned for the Leafs. Sheldon Keefe spent the last few days sending NHL refs “Brad Marchand – Worst Missed Calls” YouTube compilations.

In the end, it didn’t matter.

The Bruins got goals from James van Riemsdyk, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak to take a 3-0 lead into the third period, then withstood a late Leafs charge to take Game 4, 3-1.

Jeremy Swayman made 25 saves for his second consecutive win.

JVR got things started for the Bruins late in the third period, jumping on a loose puck and showing tremendous patience to beat Ilya Samsonov. 1-0 Bruins.

Midway through the second period, Marchand cashed in on the power play to make it 2-0 Bruins.

With less than a minute to go in the second period, Marchand was involved again, this time setting up Pastrnak and giving us a vintage Jack Edwards call to make it 3-0 Bruins.

Mitch Marner got the Leafs on the board with a great individual effort five minutes into the third, making it 3-1 Bruins.

But that was it!

Swayman made a few big stops immediately after Marner’s goal, and the Leafs couldn’t scare up any more offense.

The Bruins take Game 4, 3-1 final.

Game notes

• It may seem silly mentioning this in a two-goal win, but I feel like few leads really feel safe in the playoffs (especially on the road). It’s worth re-mentioning the big saves Swayman made after Marner’s goal. He denied Joel Edmunson not once, but twice in quick succession, along with another stop or two.
• The B’s, as a team, deserve some kudos for helping Swayman out with a block-heavy game: the B’s blocked 27 shots, tied for the second-most they’ve had in a single game all season, according to Ty Anderson.
• Auston Matthews left the game after the second period and didn’t return. His absence was related to the same illness that has caused him to miss morning skates/practices.
• I’m not a professional goalie, so take this with a grain of salt, but: I have no idea what Ilya Samsonov was doing on Marchand’s goal. He was way up in the crease — it almost looked like he was trying to get bumped by a Bruin to draw a call or something. I’m sure I’m wrong and there’s a goaltending reason to be out that high, but it was surprising how much net was at Marchand’s disposal.
• The Bruins’ first goal was a nice feather in Summer 2024 Don Sweeney’s cap: a clean breakout started by Kevin Shattenkirk, accelerated by Danton Heinen, and finished by James van Riemsdyk. Two bargain signings and a PTO guy gave the B’s a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
• Marchand’s goal was his 56th career playoff goal, meaning he is now the Bruins’ all-time leader in playoff goals. ALL HAIL THE RAT KING.
• While many of us discussed our Mason Lohrei concerns after Game 3, his instincts and reach were on full display on the Bruins’ first goal. While some of the result can be attributed to luck/bounces, you could see that Lohrei appeared in Ryan Reaves’ space unexpectedly, perhaps forcing the quick, errant pass attempt. While not airtight, I thought Lohrei’s game was pretty steady overall.
• Jim Montgomery really relied on his big forwards in this game, with Marchand, Pastrnak, and Charlie Coyle each skating around or more than 20 minutes TOI. No fourth line forward cracked the eight-minute mark.
• As is expected when you’re down 3-1 in a series, the Leafs sure aren’t happy with one another right now — as referenced by William Nylander essentially telling Marner to stop whining on the bench. They insist they still like each other though.
• I don’t mean to do a dramatic “compare and contrast” type thing, but it’s worth noting: in his postgame availability, Brandon Carlo noted how Marchand “had this room dialed in before we even went on the ice.”
• If we’re looking for things to complain about: the Bruins took another too many men on the ice penalty tonight, something that has occurred far too frequently in this series. Yes, the B’s killed the penalty (3-for-3 on the night), but it’s something that needs to be cleaned up.
• While the Bruins should have a pretty easy goaltending decision to make ahead of Game 5, things may not be as clear for the Leafs. Samsonov hasn’t exactly been the reason the Leafs lost games in this series, but he hasn’t been stellar either. He was pulled after two periods tonight in favor of Joseph Woll, who saved 5/5 shots in relief. While Woll’s appearance was likely a “send a message” type move, it will likely become a talking point between now and Tuesday.
• I don’t mean to be “that guy,” but it’s worth reminding everyone that we were here last year too, so…yeah. Don’t get ahead of yourselves.

Game 5 is back at TD Garden on Tuesday night. Enjoy your Sunday!