Bruins

This Bruins core has far more at stake in Game 7 than another crushing end

“It's will, work, compete, and having the heart to do it. No better chance to do in a Game 7."

The Bruins are staring at a 3-1 series collapse for the second year in a row. Photo by Matthew J Lee/Globe Staff

May 3, 2024

BEDFORD — Charlie Coyle’s optimism on Friday stood in stark contrast to the sour sentiment currently hovering over New England.

For the second straight year, the Bruins have let a 3-1 series lead descend into a decisive Game 7 on Causeway Street. And for the second straight year, the Bruins have said all the right things amid an on-ice implosion.

“It’s not deflating at all, honestly,” Coyle said of Boston’s mindset after relinquishing two clinching scenarios against the Maple Leafs. “ You come into the season — if you asked any of us if you want to play a Game 7, first round, to move on? We would all jump at that opportunity.”

The odds should favor Boston on Saturday. At least, they should be against a team like the Maple Leafs, right?

… Right?

After all, this is a Toronto franchise that has been mired in postseason purgatory for years — saddled with prevailing narratives about their lack of mettle, a knack for no-show performances, and a propensity to underwhelm on hockey’s highest stage.

But given what we’ve seen in the past five days, one would be hard to discern between a Leafs team still trying to shake that losing label — and a Bruins team following the same miserable script for yet another playoff run.

Because with another potential 3-1 series collapse looming on Saturday night, this Bruins core is staring at more than just another letdown if they skate off the TD Garden ice in defeat against their Original Six foe.

“You just gotta will it,” Coyle said of Boston’s search for a breakthrough against Joseph Woll and a rejuvenated Maple Leafs squad. “It’s will, work, compete, and having the heart to do it. No better chance to do in a Game 7. We’re pumped, we’re excited and we’ll take advantage of this opportunity.”

So far, the Bruins have instilled little confidence as far as seizing said opportunity against a Toronto team keeping its season alive without its top player in Auston Matthews.

Urgency has not resonated with the Bruins since putting Toronto on the brink of elimination — with Jim Montgomery’s team generating a whopping three total shots on goal in the first period of Games 5 and 6.

Another sleepwalking start on Saturday will prompt Boston’s skaters to grip their sticks even tighter in front of an antsy home crowd. Boston is now just 2-5 in home playoff games under Montgomery, and has not won any of its last six clinching opportunities dating back to 2022.

Woll (.961 save percentage in Games 5 and 6) has served as a proper remedy in net for Toronto after a poor showing from Ilya Samsonov (.883 save percentage). But the Bruins have done little to put the Boston College product under duress over the past two games.

“We gotta get bodies in front of the net,” Coyle noted. “You ask any goalie, no goalie likes traffic. So we’re gonna keep creating traffic there.”

As the Bruins try to pepper Woll and fight inside against a now-stingy Toronto defensive structure, Boston will need another sterling showing between the pipes on Saturday — with Jeremy Swayman (.947 save percentage this series) the favorite to get the nod in net.

So far, Swayman has been up to the task against Toronto. The same can’t be said for the majority of his teammates.

“We need everybody more like Jeremy Swayman,” Montgomery noted. “Like he’s just — [he] owns the moment, he’s in the moment. He’s staying in the moment. And he’s relishing being a difference maker.”

For all of the preaching of staying in the moment and the merits of Boston’s team-first culture, that praise will ring hollow if the Bruins’ leaders don’t stave off another Game 7 collapse.

David Pastrnak (two goals, four points in six games) bore the brunt of his coach’s criticism following Game 6. But the Bruins’ top offensive conduit is far from the only culprit on a Bruins core that has far more to give.

After buoying Boston’s top-six down the middle during the regular season, Coyle has zero points at 5-on-5 play vs. Toronto — while Pavel Zacha has not lit the lamp in 18 career playoff games. Zacha won just one of 10 faceoffs in Game 6.

Both Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm have been out on the ice for five Toronto goals at 5-on-5 play, with McAvoy playing a central role in both of the Leafs’ tallies in Game 6 — as well as Matthew Knies’ OT winner in Game 5.

As much as the Bruins harp on staying grounded, it’s hard to ignore the consequences if Saturday results in yet another loss — both for Montgomery and this core.

“You can’t dwell on the past,” Montgomery said. “It’s not healthy. … If you dwell on those moments, where is your mindset, right? You think about how you’re going to overcome those moments. That gets you excited, and that’s where my mindset is.”

The 2023-24 Bruins have more than just a season hanging in the balance on Saturday. For most of this core, legacies will be on the line — especially if they squander a 3-1 series edge for an unprecedented second year in a row.

Those narratives are tough to shake. Just ask the Maple Leafs, after all.

The time for positive talk is over. All that remains is another Game 7. No pressure.

Montgomery mum on lineup

Montgomery did not budge when it came to any potential lineup tweaks for Saturday night. “Too early to say. We’ll know that more tomorrow.”

Boston did not practice on Friday, but Montgomery stressed that the team is “doing some things already to change what we hoped would be a different start” on home ice. The Bruins will hold Saturday’s morning skate at TD Garden, rather than Warrior Ice Arena.

As for Auston Matthews’ availability for Game 7? “Yeah, there’s been progress, he skated again here today but no determination on his availability,” Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said.