Bruins vs. Leafs Game 7 Lineup: Projected Lines, Pairings, Goalies originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
It’s only fair that the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs play 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 went to Game 7. The result was also the same – 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 consecutive Game 7s since 2013 overall.
The Bruins are battling their own poor record in the playoffs. 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 series lead in consecutive playoffs. It would also be the seventh consecutive defeat in games in which they could eliminate the opponent.
So it’s fair to say there’s a lot at stake for both teams in this clash.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery told reporters that defenseman Andrew Peeke is unavailable for Game 7, although 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 is expected to start for the Bruins, although they have not yet officially announced a starting goaltender. Similar to the first six games, we’ll know for sure when pregame warmups begin around puck drop. Swayman has a .932 save percentage in five games this series. He has allowed two or fewer goals in each of the 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 hasn’t played since the second period of Game 4. He’s missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury/illness. Matthews was on the ice for the Leafs’ brief morning skate Saturday and participated in practices. His status for Game 7 is still unknown.
The Leafs did everything they could this morning to maintain some mystery about the Game 7 lineup — namely, whether Auston Matthews plays.
•They dressed all the attackers in one color
•They didn’t have lines
•They kept skating for 15 minutes – at that point, Matthews left-Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) May 4, 2024
There is still no determination on Auston Matthews’ status for #Sheets in Game 7, by Sheldon Keefe
No, Bobby McMann, though
-Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) May 4, 2024
There shouldn’t be any mystery in net for the Leafs. Joseph Woll has started each of the last two games and posted a .961 save percentage. He has been excellent.
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 via puck drop with any notable news.
Boston Bruins (3-3)
Forwards
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
Defenders
Mason Lohrei – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Carlo
Parker Wotherspoon – Kevin Shattenkirk
Goalkeeper
Jeremy Swayman
Toronto Maple Leafs (3-3)
Forwards
If Auston Matthews plays…
Tyler Bertuzzi – Auston Matthews – Max Domi
Matthew Knies – John Tavares – Mitch Marner
Nick Robertson – Pontus Holmberg – William Nylander
Connor Dewar – David Kampf – Calle Jarnkrok
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 – Calle Jarnkrok
Defenders
Morgan Rielly-Ilya Lyubushkin
Simon Benoit – Jake McCabe
Joel Edmundson – Timothy Liljegren
Goalkeeper
José Woll
