Leafs face must-win Game 5 in Boston
Posted May 10, 2013 10:43 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Leaf fans will likely brave any rain that comes Friday night and pack Maple Leaf Square for what could be their last chance to see their team in the playoffs this year.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are banking on team toughness heading into a must-win situation in Game 5 against the Bruins in Boston.
If the Leafs lose, they will be out of the playoffs. If they win, they’ll host Game 6 at the Air Canada Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Ahead of Game 5, Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said team toughness is a huge asset.
“I think in the playoffs you’ve got to be prepared to be take a check, give a check, receive a check, block a shot, take a hit to make a play,” Carlyle said on Thursday.
Toronto had the advantage when it came to hits in Game 4 — 71 compared to just 49 from the Bruins. The Leafs also took three more shots on goal than Boston did.
“[The Leafs] are an inexperienced team, so the feeling is always … us against the world. That’s not necessarily a bad thing in a dressing room,” Sportsnet analyst and former Leaf Nick Kypreos told 680News.
In the past three years, five of Boston’s seven playoff series have gone to seven games. So, on numbers alone, a Leafs win Friday night is possible.
And though the Leafs are on the brink of elimination, many fans remain optimistic.
“I’m feeling a little nervous, but the point is they do have a good team,” a fan named Carlos said.
“They have a young team [with] potential. They’ve done it in Game 2. So my theory is if they do what they’ve done with Game 2, they’ll be able to get them tonight.”
Leafs vs. Bruins playoff schedule:
Game 5: Friday, May 10
Toronto at Boston, 7 p.m.
Game 6: Sunday, May 12*
Boston at Toronto, time TBA
Game 7: Monday, May 13*
Toronto at Boston, time TBA
* If needed
