The problems that plagued the Bruins at the end of 2024 continued to be their bugaboo to open 2025. Goalie Jonathan Quick looked like the guy who won a pair of Stanley Cups with the Kings more than a decade ago, making 32 saves Thursday night in the Rangers’ 2-1 win in New York. Elias Lindholm scored the only goal for Boston in the second period.
Bruins coach Joe Sacco liked his team’s effort against the Rangers.
“I thought the guys tried to execute the game plan,” Sacco said. “I feel like we’re trying to make a better play all the time in situations where we can put the puck to the net and create some more opportunities that way.
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“But you score one goal [in each of] the last two games, it’s tough. It puts a lot of pressure on your team defense. We’re still defending fairly well, but we’ve got to find a way to be more consistent offensively.”
The Bruins are 1-3-0 in their last four and have scored just 8 goals during that period, including just 4 in the three losses. They look for a scoring boost as they finish off a three-game road trip that started with a 3-1 defeat in Washington on New Year’s Eve.
Boston was tied for 26th in the league with 103 goals through Thursday, an average of 2.58 per game. Toronto was tied for 13th with 120 (3.08 average).
The Leafs have won three of four and are tied for the Atlantic Division lead with the Panthers with 50 points, though Toronto has a game in hand. They have been doing it without Auston Matthews, who has missed the last six games with an upper-body injury, but he participated in the optional skate on Thursday and could return this weekend.
Both teams have a quick turnaround following Saturday night’s contest, with the Bruins hosting the Islanders and the Leafs hosting the Flyers on Sunday.
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
TV, radio: NESN, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Toronto -145. O/U: 5.5.
BRUINS
Season record: 20-16-4. vs. spread: 13-27. Over/under: 18-21, 1 push
Last 10 games: 5-4-1. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 4-6
MAPLE LEAFS
Season record: 24-13-2. vs. spread: 21-18. Over/under: 17-19, 3 pushes
Last 10 games: 6-4-0. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 7-2, 1 push
TEAM STATISTICS
Goals scored: Boston 103, Toronto 120
Goals allowed: Boston 120, Toronto 107
Power play: Boston 12.9%, Toronto 21.1%
Penalty minutes: Boston 427, Toronto 312
Penalty kill: Boston 75.8%, Toronto 82.0%
Faceoffs won: Boston 52.8%, Toronto 52.2%
Stat of the day: The Maple Leafs goaltending tandem of Anthony Stolarz (9-5-2, 2.15 GAA, .927 save pct.) and Joseph Woll (12-6-0, 2.39, .917) both rank in the top 10 in GAA and save percentage. Stolarz’s .927 is tied for the best in the league with Connor Hellebuyck of the Jets.
Notes: Toronto and Boston have split the first two games of the season series, with the home team winning each time - the Bruins getting a 4-3 overtime win on Oct. 26 and the Maple Leafs returning the favor Nov. 5, 4-0. The two teams will lace them up once again in Boston on Feb. 25 . . . The Bruins are 8-10-2 away from TD Garden, while the Maple Leafs are 15-7-0 at Scotiabank Arena . . . Bobby McMann scored both goals for the Maple Leafs, including the game-winner on the power play with 2:59 remaining in regulation, in a 2-1 win over the Islanders on Thursday, sweeping a home-and-home series. McMann has scored 12 goals on the season, including 6 goals and 4 assists in his last nine games . . . Mitch Marner is seventh in the league in scoring with 51 points. His 38 assists are fourth in the league . . . William Nylander is tied for second in goals scored with 23, five off the pace of Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl.
