Bruins-Leafs takeaways: Woll shines in net as Toronto forces Game 7

Bruins-Leafs takeaways: Woll shines in net as Toronto forces Game 7 originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins no longer have room for error. They are one more loss away from losing their 3-1 series lead in consecutive seasons.

The Toronto Maple Leafs avoided elimination again with a 2-1 win in Game 6 of their first-round series against the Bruins at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night.

William Nylander scored both of the Leafs’ goals, including a breakaway tally late in the third period.

Morgan Geekie got the Bruins on the board with 0.1 seconds left in the game. It was too little, too late.

This series played out almost exactly like last year’s against the Florida Panthers. The B’s split the first two games at home, then won two away before losing the next two.

The Bruins defeated the Leafs in Game 7 of the first round at home in 2013, 2018 and 2019. Can they make it four for four on Saturday night? Before we look at that matchup, here are three takeaways from Bruins-Leafs Game 6.

Top Six Centers Not Contributing for the Bruins

Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha had great regular seasons for the Bruins. They each set career highs in points and were also very good in faceoffs. Zacha won 54.8 percent of draws, while Coyle won 51.6 percent. Those winning percentages plummeted in the first round. Zacha and Coyle are at 42.7% and 46.1%, respectively, in head-to-head matches this series.

Neither of these veteran centers has scored a goal in six games against the Leafs. Zacha recorded just two assists. Coyle also had two assists, but both came on the power play. Zero points at 5v5 in six games from the top six centers is not enough.

Game 6 was a low point offensively for both players. Coyle scored just two shots in 18:13 of ice time, while Zacha didn’t make a shot in 19:26 of action.

The Bruins need a lot more offensive production from many of their forwards, but their top two centers are at the top of the list.

Leafs capitalize after controversial no-call

It took almost 40 minutes of action before we scored a goal in this game.

The Leafs opened the scoring with 54.8 seconds left in the second period when William Nylander fired a shot that deflected off Charlie McAvoy in front of the net and past Jeremy Swayman. The tally ended a 13-game scoring drought for Nylander. It was also his sixth career playoff goal as he faced elimination.

The goal probably wouldn’t have happened if the referees called Pontus Holmberg for tackling Mason Lohrei in the previous sequence. Lohrei was taken to the sidelines by a hit from behind, with referee Chris Rooney having a clear view of the play. No penalty was called and the Bruins ended up getting the puck. Toronto scored shortly after the next faceoff.

It was a poor decision by the referee, but it should be noted that McAvoy had room to skate the puck out of the defensive zone and had two teammates to pass, but instead he shot the ice and the ice was called.

Woll narrowly beats Swayman in goalkeeper duel

The Bruins gave Jeremy Swayman his fourth consecutive start and he played fantastic once again.

He was very busy at the start of the second game in a row. The Leafs had 11 shots on net in the opening period and the Bruins goalie stopped them all. He made a great blocking save on Mitch Marner midway through the frame. He also thwarted attempts by William Nylander and Matthew Knies during a wild scramble in the final seconds of the period.

The only goals Swayman allowed came on a deflection in front of the net and a breakaway. He has a .932 save percentage in this series, and there’s no doubt he’s been the Bruins’ best player through six games. It would be crazy not to start him in Game 7 on Saturday.

The biggest development for the Leafs was Joseph Woll’s goaltending. Toronto had a horrendous .871 save percentage through the first four games. The Leafs made a change and started Woll in each of the last two games and he made 49 saves on 51 shots. His stellar net play is the main reason this series is going so far.

Woll’s best save in Game 6 came midway through the third quarter, when Boston made a strong push into the frontcourt.

The Bruins aren’t making Woll’s job too difficult due to the lack of traffic in front of the net, but there’s no denying he’s played incredible over the last two games.

It might only take one or two goals to win Game 7, given how well these goalies are playing right now.