Bruins vs. Leafs Game 7 lineup: Projected lines, matchups, goaltenders originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
It stands to reason that the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are playing a Game 7 for the right to advance to the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
These teams met in the first round in 2013, 2018 and 2019 and each of those series reached a Game 7. The result was also the same each time: a Bruins victory at TD Garden.
The Leafs are trying to end that streak and win their first playoff series against the Bruins since 1959. Toronto has lost five straight seventh games since 2013 in total.
The Bruins are battling their own poor playoff history. If the B’s lose on Saturday night, they will become the first team in NHL, MLB or NBA history to blow a 3-1 lead in a back-to-back playoff series. It would also be their seventh consecutive defeat in games in which they were able to eliminate their rival.
So, it’s fair to say that there is a lot at stake for both teams in this matchup.
bruins head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters that defenseman Andrew Peeke is not available for Game 7 even though he was on the ice for Saturday’s morning skate. Montgomery also said no final decision has been made on the status of veteran forward Danton Heinen, who missed Game 6.
Jeremy Swayman should start for the Bruins, although they have not officially announced a starting goalie yet. Just like the first six games, we’ll know for sure when pregame warmups will begin as puck drop approaches. Swayman has a .932 save percentage in five starts in this series. He has allowed two or fewer goals in each of his last nine games against the Leafs since the start of last season.
The mystery for the Leafs is whether superstar center Auston Matthews will play. Toronto’s best player has not played since the second period of Game 4. He has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury/illness. Matthews was on the ice during the Leafs’ brief morning skate on Saturday and participated in drills. His status for Game 7 is still unknown.
The Leafs did their best this morning to keep some mystery about their Game 7 lineup, namely whether Auston Matthews plays.
•They dressed all the forwards in a single color
•No lines ran
• They kept the skate to 15 minutes, at which point Matthews left.– Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) May 4, 2024
There is still no determination on the status of Auston Matthews for #leaves in Game 7, according to Sheldon Keefe
Although there is no Bobby McMann
—Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) May 4, 2024
There should be no mystery in net for the Leafs. Joseph Woll started each of the last two games and posted a .961 save percentage. It has been outstanding.
One team’s season will come to a frustrating end at the Garden on Saturday night. Here are the projected lineups for both teams. This story will be updated through disk delivery with any important news.
Boston Bruins (3-3)
Forward
Jake DeBrusk–Pavel Zacha–David Pastrnak
Brad Machand–Charlie Coyle–Morgan Geekie
James van Riemsdyk–Trent Frederic–Danton Heinen (or Justin Brazeau)
John Beecher, Jesper Boqvist, Pat Maroon
Defenses
Mason Lohrei as Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Carlo
Parker Wotherspoon as Kevin Shattenkirk
Goalie
Jeremy Swayman
Toronto Maple Leafs (3-3)
Forward
If Auston Matthews plays…
Tyler Bertuzzi–Auston Matthews–Max Domi
Matthew Knies–John Tavares–Mitch Marner
Nick Robertson as Pontus Holmberg and William Nylander
Connor Dewar–David Kampf–Jarnkrok Street
If Auston Matthews doesn’t play…
Tyler Bertuzzi–Max Domi–Mitch Marner
Matthew Knies–John Tavares–William Nylander
Nick Robertson–Pontus Holmberg–Noah Gregor
Connor Dewar–David Kampf–Jarnkrok Street
Defenses
Morgan Rielly-Ilya Lyubushkin
Simon Benoit as Jake McCabe
Joel Edmundson as Timothy Liljegren
Goalie
joseph woll