The Leafs knocked off the Boston Bruins on Friday, securing a round one meeting with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a very tall task to start the postseason. Still, to go on a long run, you're going to have to beat some elite teams. It's time to put up or shut up if you're the Leafs.
The Buds have really ramped up the physicality of late, and not just the bruising forwards and defenders on the team either. Both Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews have set new career highs in hits this season.
In terms of some of the more physical players on the roster, defenseman Jake Muzzin has been relatively tame by his standards this season, likely due to having suffered several injuries, including a pair of concussions, that have left him a little bit more apprehensive to throw the body. However, with the playoffs set to begin, Muzzin was already shedding his apprehension against the Bruins on Friday.
Muzzin was credited with 5 hits against the Bruins, perhaps none better than this hit along the boards on B's forward Charlie Coyle.. Muzzin appears to just narrowly escape a knee to the groin on the play as Coyle went down, but he would be fine.
The Leafs are actually relatively healthy, if you consider that Michael Bunting, Ondrej Kase, Rasmus Sandin and Petr Mrazek have all been on the ice multiple times this week preparing for their returns. This is a very good thing, as they're going to need all the help they can get in the murderers row in the East. I suppose getting it out if the way early before the Bolts have time to pick up steam is probably for the best.
