The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are evened up after Game Two.
The Leafs used a late goal to take the lead in the third period Monday night and beat the Bruins 3-2 in TD Garden.
Boston struck early with a goal in the first period, but Toronto quickly matched to make it 1-1. The even score didn’t last long as David Pastrnak gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead late in the first period.
Boston held its lead for much of the second period before the Maple Leafs once again tied things up right before the end of the period on a goal from John Tavares.
In the 12th minute of the third period, Auston Matthews gave Toronto its first lead of the series, which they held onto through the final minutes.
After the loss, fans lamented the Bruins’ sluggish third-period performance.
AUSTON MATTHEWS GIVES THE LEAFS THE LEAD 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/PivFaNVZu0
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 23, 2024
In both third periods this series the Bruins haven't even tried to play hockey
— x – Alex (@bigbadbruins73) April 23, 2024
Not sure why the Bruins wouldn’t have stayed with Swayman. Sounds like overthinking ….. #StanleyCupPlayoffs
— Tom Funk (@TFunkstr) April 23, 2024
And a lazy pass right off the jump after Matthews goal.
Bruins' execution has been poor in this one.
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) April 23, 2024
Awful performance by the Bruins.
The "positive" is that it was still only a goal game, but just an especially awful showing in the third period when you need it.
Anyways, Bruins in 7.
— x – Alex (@bigbadbruins73) April 23, 2024
FINALLY.
The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins.
Series tied 1-1.
Amazing game from Ilya Samsonov and Auston Matthews.
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) April 23, 2024
And that’s why you don’t change goalies after a 5-1 win
Should have kept Swayman and put Ullmark in for game 3
Silly Bruins
— Stix (@Stix617) April 23, 2024
Now, the series will head to Toronto tied and the Maple Leafs looking to take a series lead. The Bruins were dominant in Game One, winning 5-1, and they’ll need to make some adjustments to have another performance like that on Wednesday.
If not, Boston could be looking at a deficit to overcome.