(Photo credit: Tom Szczerbowski)
Here are some things we learned from the game:
Plekanec improves
With Nazem Kadri suspended and Leo Komarov injured, the Leafs rejigged their lines and found a winning formula.
Dominic Moore moved to the fourth line while former Montreal player Plekanec moved onto the shut down line to deal with the Bergeron line. And boy did that work.
Bergeron, Pasternak and Marchand had combined for 20 points during the first two games. Last night though they left the game pointless. While Plekanec can not take all the credit - one thing is obvious, he improved the line up.
Kapanen will start scoring
Kasperi Kapanen scored a huge game winner for the Leafs in last year's first round series with Washington. This year he has not tasted the sweetness of a goal, but he has come mightily close.
The former Pittsburgh player hit the post shorthanded in game two and he hit the post again last night. Every time the young forward is on the ice he looks like causing damage.
It is only a matter of time before he scores in this series.
Matthews looks good
Auston Matthews was rather quiet during the first two games of this series. He failed to register a single point while struggling to build any offence for his team.
Last night all that changed as he scored a doozy of a goal for Toronto to set them on their way to victory.
The manner of Matthews performance will be a cause for concern for Boston who had kept him quiet. Yet game three could act as a breakthrough moment for Toronto’s best player.
Up and down the ice with a vicious forecheck, Matthews looked like his usual dominant self. Worrying if you are a Bruins fan.
Penalty killing is an issue
Both sides tried their best to avoid penalties last night and with good reason. Boston had scored five goals in the first two games with the man advantage while Toronto scored two themselves.
Again we saw the importance of special teams last night as the Leafs took the lead after a controversial penalty call.
Boston dominated on their man advantage but somehow did not score on their two power play attempts.
One thing is for certain though, whichever team dominates special teams in the final games of this series will probably enter round two.