Leafs vs Bruins preview & game chat: It’s been a long time

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins have played each other 677 times, but the last time these two teams met was almost two years ago, on November 15th, 2019. Sheldon Keefe has never coached the Leafs against the Bruins, as that 4-2 loss was days before he would be named head coach of the Maple Leafs. Jack Campbell was in LA, John Tavares was still a freshly minted captain, and Mitch Marner was basking in the joy of signing a new contract with the Leafs.

A lot has changed for these two teams since that last game, but one thing that hasn’t is how much I hate them. I hate them so much.

Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs
7:00PM - Scotiabank Arena
CBC, NESN, Sportsnet
Rival blog: Stanley Cup of Chowdah

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs are on a four game winning streak, beating Chicago, Detroit, Vegas, and Tampa. We’re seeing more of the Maple Leafs we expect after a pretty terrible start to the season. We’ll also be seeing the fifth goalie for the Leafs this year, as Joseph Woll was called up to back up Jack Campbell while Petr Mrázek takes the day to work on his groin injury.

Petr Mrazek has tweaked something related to his previous groin injury, hence #Leafs recalling Joseph Woll. Team expects to know more tomorrow about Mrazek's status moving forward.

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) November 6, 2021

With Petr Mrazek out, why did Joseph Woll get the call-up for Leafs?

Sheldon Keefe: "We liked his camp & he is coming off of what was regarded as a really strong start for him ... also Kallgren started yesterday & Hutchinson is going to play today for the @TorontoMarlies" https://t.co/y4Np6O9qSl

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 6, 2021

Justin Holl is also sitting again, as the defence stays the same from the past few games. Travis Dermott is still on the top pair with Morgan Rielly, which may be showcasing him for a trade.

Dermott calls playing with Rielly "quite an honour"

Travis on Morgan: "He plays the game fast so keeping the pace up with him & trying to be there for him is something I'm working towards. I feel like the more games I get under my belt, the more comfortable I get with that"

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 6, 2021

Here are your Leafs lines:

Michael Bunting - Auston Matthews - William Nylander
Alexander Kerfoot - John Tavares - Mitch Marner
Pierre Engvall - David Kämpf - Ondřej Kaše
Nick Ritchie - Jason Spezza - Wayne Simmonds

Morgan Rielly - Travis Dermott
Jake Muzzin - TJ Brodie
Rasmus Sandin - Timothy Liljegren

Jack Campbell
Joseph Woll

Boston Bruins

The Bruins are off to a good start this year, they’re 3-2 in the past five leading up to this game. They’re coming off a big 5-1 win over Detroit so those lines are staying the same.

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith
Jake DeBrusk - Erik Haula - Curtis Lazar
Trent Frederic - Tomas Nosek - Karson Kuhlman

Derek Forbort - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Mike Reilly - Connor Clifton

Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman

Preview Stats

Tonight the Maple Leafs start a new era of dominance over the Boston Bruins. Two years apart is enough to scrub away any memories of playoff losses to them. Right?