Recap: Series tied as Bruins edged out, 3-2, by Maple Leafs in Game 2

Matthews contributes on each Toronto goal to help propel his team’s win.

The Boston Bruins dropped Game 2 of the first round, 3-2, against the Toronto Maple Leafs to end the home tilt with the series tied at one game apiece.

Auston Matthews netted the game-winner and added assists on the other two Toronto goals.

The Bruins were up 2-1 after the first after a power-play goal from Morgan Geekie and buzzer-beater from David Pastrnak.

But the Bruins were slower with transitions and cleaning up loose pucks in the slot as Toronto increased their offense and Matthews did what top goal-scorers and point-getters do — score and set up goals.

“They improved from Game 1 to Game 2,” Jim Montgomery said. “We didn’t improve enough. We need to get better for Game 3.”

Linus Ullmark made 30 saves for the Bruins in the loss.

Here are the game’s highlights:

First period:

The Bruins opened the scoring at 10:18 of the first period on the power play.

Morgan Geekie one-timed a pass from Brad Marchand to put the shot in the back of the net. 1-0 Bruins.

The Maple Leafs bounced back moments later at 10:32 of the first period.

Max Domi picked up a rebound from Auston Matthews shot and kept at it out front to beat Ullmark. 1-1 game.

The Bruins took the lead at 19:52 of the first period.

With an offensive zone faceoff win, Charlie McAvoy found Pavel Zacha along the right boards. Zacha sent a blind backhanded pass out front which David Pastrnak, in the slot, one-timed past Ilya Samsonov. 2-1 Bruins.

Second period:

The Maple Leafs evened the score at 18:26 of the second period.

Matthews found John Tavares high at the left-wing circle where he circled around to get a wrist shot off on Ullmark which traveled past his stick and the post. 2-2 game.

Third period:

The Maple Leafs took the lead at 12:06 of the third period.

Domi sent a pass ahead to Matthews who hit it down and skated down center ice to the top of the paint before putting a wrist shot top-shelf past Ullmark blocker side. Final score: 3-2 Maple Leafs.

Game notes:

• The Bruins had a hard time getting clean breakouts going, as the Maple Leafs defended well against them in Game 2. While the B’s started the game off strong, it seemed as though they were getting out played in their defensive zone along the outside boards which prevented them from generating speed with a rush. It ended up giving the Leafs more offensive zone time by winning those board battles.
• The Bruins’ biggest area they will need to improve on in Game 3 is the net front. While it was only a one-goal loss, the scoring could have been much higher. After Ullmark would make a save, pucks would be left unattended in the slot or top of the paint.
• Ullmark started Game 2. As for now, Montgomery appears to be utilizing the tandem and going with his goalie rotation. Ullmark had a great game, making some more highlight reel saves. He had a sequence of about three saves on one of the second-period’s penalty kills, stopping Tyler Bertuzzi, Matthew Knies and Calle Jarnkrok with the last save just remarkable.
• Montgomery said he liked the team’s second period until the Bruins took their penalties. He felt both got the Maple Leafs going. “They get juice from the power play,” Montgomery said.
• SCOC asked Pavel Zacha if he felt there was anything in the second period that may have changed the course of the Bruins play, like the Leafs’ power play goal. Zacha said: “I think we had a pretty good second period, a lot of offensive-zone time and stuff. They just were able to capitalize. I don’t think the second period was a bad period. They were just good at chipping pucks and breaking them out and we have to do better next game especially on our forecheck.”
• Montgomery had no update on Andrew Peeke who did not return during the game. Playing with only five defense, he said he felt the five gave everything they could, but it was the forwards who had to take over in the third.
• Postgame soundbite from Montgomery on his team’s slow transitions: “It’s not allowing us to possess pucks and it’s not allowing us to get in on the forecheck.”
• The series shifts to Toronto where the Bruins are set for Game 3 against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, April 24, at 7 p.m.