There might be anxiety in the fanbase, but the Maple Leafs are refuting the underdog label ahead of the Boston series. (via lukefoxjukebox)
“The big, bad Bruins—it kinda gets pushed that way, just with how well they’re doing this year, especially compared to us lately,” said Travis Dermott, one of four Leafs regular defencemen who sat this one out to rest up for Thursday.
Whereas Boston went 13-7 in its final 20, the Leafs flailed through a defensively porous 8-8-4 finish that included consecutive losses to 31st-place Ottawa, lineup juggling almost nightly, and a sudden backup goalie exchange after Game 81. Resilient, they rallied for the second-most comeback wins overall and only once lost three consecutive games in regulation.
Nazem Kadri and William Nylander, who connected for a beauty wraparound in Saturday’s shinny, will have a clean canvas to write the conclusion to their disappointing winters and make Kyle Dubas look wise for stocking up on centres.
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