Desperate to make a statement vs. Bruins, Maple Leafs stumble in Game 1

With a history of being dominated by the Bruins, the Maple Leafs were out to prove they were a different team this time around but they got blown out in Game 1 and lost to Boston for the eighth straight time. The TSN Hockey panel takes a closer look at what went wrong for Toronto, discuss if Sheldon Keefe should consider starting Joseph Woll in Game 2, and more.

[@esvignettes7592]

Dumpster fire! Stop saying “this year is different”! It’s the same team with the same excuses!

[@Dougie-ex1ov]

ya its time to call them for what they are. Dumpster fire is right. Time for a rebuild and move this whole team. The lot of them all have no place in Toronto. get players that want to compete.

[@shanebrohm7786]

It’s one game! 😂

[@AS-rl2uv]

Hahah so true, it’s a tough division. Leafs fan and I’m one of them. Just chill out 😂

[@ObscureReference9]

actually theyre worse now

[@jeffreyadams648]

And the same management.

[@AstroTrain100]

Never get tired of Maple Leaf's choking year after year, it's hilarious.

[@shanebrohm7786]

It’s one game 😂

[@C4L3D0N]

​@@shanebrohm7786 ya one down, three to go. It is heimlich season in Toronto now bud!

[@jrr3418]

Losing to the Bruins isn’t choking bud. That means the Leafs were expected to win and as a Leafs fan, this is exactly what I expected.

[@shabazzed]

@@jrr3418 you'd be right if they didnt get blown out 5-1

[@mannyaraujo1]

@@jrr3418 expect them to loose

[@roofpizza1250]

Torono is the only town where the Leafs fall in the spring.

[@billboggs6641]

" Desparate to make a Statement " ? I must have missed that part.

[@primekiller5729]

Matthews playing like he's still trying to score number 70 but having bad luck doing so!

[@user-nb7mz3fb5p]

Matthews could score 200 goals...not one of them counts or helps the team in the playoffs....can't wait to hear the excuses again this year for the Leafs train wreck....would love to see the Bruins sweep these losers. ,,,,but prolly gonna be 5 or 6....just to give the delusional fans some hope

[@jockejocke1]

29 shots now since his 69th.

[@ace2585]

​@@user-nb7mz3fb5p love those emojis 😂

[@ace2585]

​@@jockejocke1aT lEaSt He TrIeD 😂🤡

[@jockejocke1]

@@ace2585 It's actually 40 shot attempts now since #69. 29 shots on goal and 11 missed shots.

[@renehendrych3538]

Bruins fans did the BIGGEST TROLL by chanting OLE OLE OLE OLE 😅😂

[@patrickd1606]

That had me 😂😂😂

[@Landis_Grant]

Or Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye!!

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

@Moby-ui9od Lol, that's cultural appropriation!

[@tedcity5861]

This traumatized the leafs and their fans.

[@tedcity5861]

@@bobabooey5862 so all the Bruins fans are noobs huh? Point missed bob. 🤣

[@laggers54]

This team will not even have a chance until that Taveres contract is off the books. Marner should also be moved.

[@stanclare-sh6vi]

🙏✌️🍻💯 .. Marners a cancer and the players won't admit it until he's gone .. I just look at Ryan O'Reilly's example last year .. O'Reilly was fighting two Tampa Bay players while Marner , 5 ft away was arguing with the referee .. is it any wonder O'REILLY couldn't wait to get out of town ..

[@cnorth3036]

Finally fans are starting to wake up to the idea.. I agree 100%

[@F5BOTD]

And Reilly while ur at it

[@turbokid99]

exactly this

[@blackandgold676]

Marner? Who? Did he even play last night?

[@swavekbu4959]

Leafs looked like a team with zero belief they could beat the Bruins. They just looked like the lesser team, the little brother who knows that no matter what, the big brother will always win.

[@nah656]

Cbc trolled leafs by playing Aerosmith "same old story, same old song and dance" song going to commercial 👌

[@moonlightmelodrama]

Outworked. Outcoached. Outplayed. Overpaid. Shanahan has to take the gas pipe this year.

[@Tiglath-PileserXIX]

Coaches, players and GMs come and go. Shanahan is still running the show. Let's not forget that in his playing days, Shanahan was a hell of a Leafs killer. He is still a Leafs killer.

[@88laserbeam]

😂 Duthie is loving this because he is a Sens fan 😂

[@codydavidyates72]

Im just glad both teams had fun

[@thakid691]

That’s what it’s all about 🤷‍♂️

[@thehairygull]

Matthews spitting like a camel reading this

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

Participation trophies for everyone.

[@legionman2441]

I really doubt the leafs Had fun out there

[@ontheroad5317]

“If you had fun, you won!” - every kid’s rec league coach

[@SA-sf2cq]

I never get tired of seeing O’Neil about to blow up. Lmao

[@dougbell9543]

With the core four dominating the payroll, it’s extremely difficult to assemble a well balanced championship lineup. ✔️

[@Tiglath-PileserXIX]

That's what everyone says for years now. Yet every year Leaf fans expect a different result.

[@nonokayakjack]

Is it springtime already??

[@user-ev8tv1qe1z]

THE BAND TRUSE SONG " I AM NOT READY TO GO"! comes to mind

[@drumitar]

Austin Matthews to Salt Lake Confirmed.

[@stanclare-sh6vi]

Mitch Marner to the WNHL ..

[@modmaliCrtzGang]

😂😂😂😂​@@stanclare-sh6vi

[@RodCalidge]

If they're counting on Max Headcase to set the tone, they're in bigger trouble than usual.

[@BenBowman97]

Toronto Sports Network!

[@andygrenn680]

Great team efforts by Bruins. Protect Home Ice. And Bobby Orr a healthy scratch. Orr may dress for Game Two. Montgomery says it is a game time decision…

[@user-pr6bc8er7c]

I actually thought the Leafs had high intensity right out of the gate, and it looked like they were up to the challenge...right up until Beecher's goal deflated them. And I am a long time Bruins fan.

[@user-tr4jj9pt7x]

C'mon, guys, we gotta give the "Shanaplan" a chance! It's only the first decade. Shanahan seems to have forgotten EVERYTHING he knew about how to win the Stanley Cup as soon as he become an executive... Totally, agree that Tavares and Marner need to go and how about at least trying to find a no. 1 goalie???

[@JP-xo2by]

Can I “double-like” a comment?

[@Mirage1k]

As a non leaf fan, they should’ve moved marner for an ekholm type lock down dman or move heaven and earth to grab a stud goalie. Same team same excuses every year

[@kermitfrog593]

They're never breaking up the Core Four. The fans love them, they bring in money and that's all that matters to ownership.

[@Mirage1k]

@@kermitfrog593 I bet the fans love leaving the playoffs early every year too. I’m sure they would really love a cup parade.

[@kermitfrog593]

@@Mirage1k The fans hate it but keep coming back, and spending more money, so ownership is fine with it.

[@cskvision]

This is a yearly tradition every April, TSN searing the Leafs after another playoff loss.

[@jmjm1992]

I stop watching the Maple leaf since 1984-1985 season when The finished the season with 20 win 48 points.

[@Ki-Yall]

During that game, my reaction was the same face as a kid who's dad didn't show up to play catch .

[@KakashiH25]

This isn't a stumble... Its a faceplant 😂

[@clifflayne9073]

there are NO positives for Leaf's fans. THIS TEAM DOES NOT BELIEVE IN ITSELF. Boston in five.

[@thegrubbypirate2614]

LOVE IT. I hope the domination continues and this so called "different version" ends up like every other version, ELIMINATED!

[@25svbn]

This so reminds me of the Bruins during the 70's. They'd draw the habs in the playoffs year after year and make a first round exit.

[@notoriouseagle1074]

They won two Cup's though.

[@jermainerodgers]

And now the habs always sucks.. they have a fluke season in 21 . Thats it

[@atex6175]

That was through the 90s and some of the 00s also. I absolutely hated the Habs first round draw being a Bs fan growing up

[@Tiglath-PileserXIX]

That was the 70s when the Habs were good. Now the Habs are just a worse version of the Leafs.

[@ontheroad5317]

I lived through those 70s years. That was tough. The Bruins would win all the fights, throw all the checks, and the Habs would finesse them to death. This was an era where teams like Boston and Phillie were still playing “American” hockey - brutal, hard hitting, bloody. The Habs had adopted a European type of game - fast, slick, quick passes. Skill over muscle. The Bruins (and others) were very slow to adapt to this style. Plus, the Habs had Ken effing Dryden.

[@familyvideos5403]

Trying to prove they're different? They're the exact same team in every sense of the word!

[@user-wf4el1gx3n]

Was incredible the amount of times in that game leafs players didn’t move their feet when they got the puck and then booted it to nobody. Going to have to get way more assertive and dynamic with their touches.

[@eqbobyboucher]

I love how year in year out TSN plays off the laughs getting demolished and each time it's "next game" like ... "Leafs stumble in Game 1" no leafs totally crapped the bag!

[@Veopoz]

Leafs are in full playoff mode ⛳️at least in about a week you guys will actually have to talk about hockey and not the Toronto Maple Laughs

[@Jcabby31]

second goal was in the middle of net almost

[@getwrecked488]

Atta boy Domi…. What a f’ng goof 😂😂

[@Tiglath-PileserXIX]

Aww ... doesn't he remind you of his dad? (Cheapshot artist)

[@ricklatour2794]

@@Tiglath-PileserXIX a week ago, dummi was a hero in Leaf nation for beating up a 20 yr old who doesn't fight

[@tedcity5861]

Reeves gets 2nd place after his hit in the Bs end obstructed the leaf dman. 😅 😊

[@jeffreyadams648]

Will we be shoutout?

[@omanni]

Same old talk, this happens every year

[@johnshields6852]

Penalties kill you, you can't make bad penalties or foolish penalties, whoever has more PP's I'm picking to win the game, it's Huge part of the game.

[@andygrenn680]

Boston Bruins have had tougher team practices this season…When does this series start? Wash,rinse,repeat…GO BRUINS!

[@kermitfrog593]

Enjoy these wins then get ragdolled by the Panthers again.

[@andygrenn680]

@@kermitfrog593 sooner the Panthers are out the better…Lightning should strike four times…

[@kermitfrog593]

@@andygrenn680 Wishful thinking. Nothing but clear skies in FLA, perfect hunting weather.

[@jbrochon9556]

Worst case Ontario...love the TPB reference !!!

[@georgekinsella494]

LOVE IT!!!

[@mintihar]

How much are we paying our stars? 😅

[@Snowwvik]

High GAA with High GPP vs a team with a lower GAA and still decently high GPP tells a lot. As a kid from Georgia, I probably don’t know as much as Canadian fans… however, in a league where you have sporadic elite goal tending… wouldn’t you want to solidify the defense and goal tending a little? You blow out of the water mid tier teams… but I think haven’t faired well against Boston or other decent defense/goalie tandems. Trade a 1-2 line goal scorer for young defense or draft picks for defense. I have the Leafs out in 5 games to Boston. I believe the Avalanche win it all versus the Lightning in the finals.

[@Tiglath-PileserXIX]

Doesn't matter where you're from. Its obvious, the Leafs have been trying to get by with no defence and no goaltending. You're being generous by giving the Leafs a game. Their season is over and they have tuned out.

[@richardvervoorn6626]

By saying this, believe me, you ABSOLUTELY DO KNOW ALL you need to know about hockey, my friend. We’ve all been saying the same thing up in T.O. for quite a few years…

[@bondjames652]

Leaf fans should support and encourage. Thats your part.

[@blackandgold676]

Self abusers...

[@appletile2887]

Why did the Leafs lose? Tradition.....well it's playoff hockey and they have a 56 years of history of losing, longer than any other NHL team. I think it's deeper than that though. The one man who seems to come up big for the team during the playoffs didn't play in the game on Saturday. He actually took himself out of the game if I understood correctly. The guy scored 40 goals and set up 58 more this season recording 98 points. That's a large chunk to take out of a team's offence. William Nylander has the ability of carrying the puck into the offensive zone and forcing plays. He was sorely missed on Saturday night against the Bruins. I wish to point out the following: Coach Montgomery has yet to win a playoff series for Boston having had the Panthers beat them last year. Remember: Last year the Bruins were favored to win it all since they won the President's trophy and beat Detroit's & Montreal's season record wins and point totals last year. Coach Montgomery decided to change the Bruins winning formula going into the playoffs, which was simply, to alternate goaltenders. The coach stuck with one and before the Bruins knew it, they were emptying out their lockers and playing golf. Full disclosure. I am not a Leaf's fan. However, I do think this Maple Leaf team has the horses and coach to win this series simply because of Montgomery and his inability to win in the playoffs. We will see in a week. If Nylander continues his absence the Leafs are in serious trouble. John Tavares potted only 29 goals this year and set up 36 more for 65 points. He may as well worn an unlisted number out there on Saturday nite. If the Leafs don't win this first round, upper management knows that their time in Toronto is up.

[@jeffyfielding3360]

Marchand way too smart and experienced to fall for Domis garbage. Keefe should be fired. Leafs were trying to hit everything in sight in the first few minutes...Terrible coaching, gutless cowardly leadership from Matthews and Marner. Pretty sad when Nylander is your best playoff guy and he wasn't playing. Bottom line is Matthews is a joke and Marner is a punk.

[@alexcondie7889]

It really comes down to a balanced lineup. Goalies aside, Boston's defense are so versatile and mobile. Not only are they tough, but they actually have the skill to break up a play, make a clean exit and join the rush. With Toronto spending so much on a few panzies, they are forced to fill the holes with one-dimensional, bottom of the barrel defenseman that just rim it under pressure.

[@mannyaraujo1]

Toronto defense and goalies.. suck

[@badkarma2754]

Can't help but think how much better would they be with a dman like McAvoy?

[@getkrawnwalled5625]

Heard someone say once that Reilly is basically the same as Pietrangelo back when he was a free agent lol

[@KJaswal]

same old leafs cakewalk for boston

[@Guy-kn6jt]

Cmon you can’t put this on samsonov I mean ya you need but my god he was there in position to make the he save you cannot in the NHL turn pucks over and make fancy plays on the blue line .and have the bruins live rent free in hash marks my god !

[@kermitfrog593]

After the Leaves get swept, take solace in Auston's 69 regular season goals. You all thought "70" was so important you excused the team's poor play to close out the season. Witness the results.

[@doinitforfun888]

Change the goalie and D. Block more shots the goal by Carlo should never go in. Forwards need to cover the points. Clog up the neutral zone. Game two is a must win in my view.

[@NeGBusa]

Rebuild?

[@Al-oe7wx]

Leafs people bringing up TB loss last year fail to realize their history against them isn't like the Bruins

[@Tiglath-PileserXIX]

Denial

[@guyh.4121]

The Leafs D or Goaltending can’t compete with the Bruins, BUT the guy who had the biggest impact on the game was Pat Maroon who played his “Second” game as a Bruin, and hit everything in sight. Why did the Bruins pickup a 4th Liner with 3 Cups? Look at him on the ice. As for losing last years first game to Tampa? Vasalevski was just not good enough. Both Bruins goalies are way better.

[@Spike10111]

The stay at home defenceman thought it was a good idea to pinch with the 4th line on the ice. Edmundson should be reminded he was acquired for one reason only: crosscheck Pasta and Marchand in front of the net. Nothing else.

[@danpottie3363]

regular season achievements mean nothing when year after year the core players choke in the playoffs when it means the most. A few trades to secure a top goalie who can stop the puck on a regular basis would be nice. they should be ashamed of themselves they don't have the heart to leave it all on the ice when it is needed

[@pleaseleafswin9440]

There is no way Sheldon can survive at the end of this series. I thought the bruins would take it in 7 games. I was wrong. I think its going to be Bruins in 4 or 5 games. Trade their top players for some first round picks and start the rebuilding process again

[@EnahsFurm]

Game 2 predictions. - Bruins score first, under 5 mins. - Bruins second and third goal will be on power play. - 1 leafs player will leave the game. - leafs goalie change. - leafs will get a goal called back.

[@elliotwalton6159]

What was most unfortunate for the Leafs was that the Bruins hardly looked 'dominant' in their own play. They looked pretty ordinary themselves.

[@djc7907]

Stumble? Stumble, really? Who chooses these words. The Leafs did not stumble. They were steamrolled, annihilated, thrashed and left in the middle of the road. First responders picked up the remains during their night shift. After 57 years of never being in a final series you'd think that no fan would be surprised. But not a Leafs fan. Nope, they'll bounce back.

[@jimlangdon1947]

Maybe the Leafs can at least win game 2 and gain home ice advantage? 😀

[@johnl2613]

What happened to Nylander? Did he get injured after the last reg season game or he got injured during the last 1 or 2 reg season games? If he got injured during the last 2 reg season games then Keefe should be fired if they get knocked out of Rd1.

[@whitegd4100]

This is definitely their year 😂😂😂

[@user-ev8tv1qe1z]

BRUTAL COACHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FFS

[@jaapongeveer6203]

Coprrect, that is the problem. Keefe doesn't know what he's doing.

[@Tiglath-PileserXIX]

They had a real coach; Mike Babcock. Unfortunately, Mitch did not like him.

[@ErikHeimdallr]

The Bruins OWN Toronto 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@northsource7215]

Odog on the Ozempic?

[@Ontariosound]

Rybelsus

[@alelectric2767]

What’s Ozempic?

[@c.s.7097]

​@@alelectric2767it's a chemical that lazy and greedy people rely upon

[@jeffsframe9927]

Only in Toronto would anyone say they did a lot of things right after their team loses 5-1 !! 😅😅😅

[@lpquagmire3621]

I keep hearing about the Leafs rivalry with the Bruins. The Leafs have not won a playoff series against the Bruins in 76 YEARS! That's not a rivalry, that's a massacre!!!

[@MS4RS]

The Maple Leafs need to bring a Mark Messier on their team.

[@stanclare-sh6vi]

Who I say is the best player ever

[@michaelsupernor4682]

There's only ever one Mark Messier. And he's on ESPN now.

[@trsctr]

He'd turn into Canucks era Mark Messier probably

[@Tiglath-PileserXIX]

Unfortunately Matthews, Marner and Tavares are running the team. No heart.

[@user-fh6pw5dx1d]

This wasn't the goalie's fault. He gave up 2 pp goals which happens and a 2 on 1 isn't his fault. that was the turning point

[@cprtrain]

The LAFFS have their tee times booked. CHOKE, CHOKE, CHOKE.

[@markhancock6694]

The series was over before it began. Get your clubs shined ip boys! The links are ready. The Loafs are not built for the playoff run. Bruins in 4! GO BRUINS!!

[@FirstStrikeTennis]

Very harsh to put those goals on the goalie

[@ccrrocks]

Like a true magician, Marner vanishes again. If the Leafs lose first round, insert Berube. Only then will they be held accountable.

[@blackandgold676]

Who?

[@Tiglath-PileserXIX]

@@blackandgold676 A real coach.

[@KyleFunk21]

THERE ARE NO WORDS FOR HOW INCREDIBLE IT IS WATCHING THE LEAFS GET FUCKING DEMOLISHED. THIS. TEAM. IS. NOT. GOOD. 😂😂😂

[@GreekboyyD]

Career playoff stats for Samsonov: 5-11 3.12 GAA .899 SV %

[@danferguson2724]

They waived Sammy and nobody bit. Could have got Campbell back for little. Campbell in 18 career playoffs - W7L8 2.28GA .920SV%

[@FirstLast-zk5ow]

That was funny. Showing a goal that Samsonov was completely screened on .. while O'Neil is whining about his play. Too funny.

[@Givy55]

The Leafs organization must be thinking why do 4 - 11million dollar players become entry level players in the playoffs? LOL Well 3 I'll give Nylander a pass because he didn't play and usually ups his game in the playoffs.

[@anonymousanonymously8216]

When exactly will the leafs be playoff ready, 50 years from now? the leafs should be embarrassed from how they played in game 1 and my guess is, not much will change in the next 3. I predict an early exit for the leafs yet again and just maybe Sheldon Keefe will be fired afterwards. I can’t understand how a team can play so well during regular season and come playoffs, it’s like they forgot how to play the game, Boston was all over the leafs, out skating them, scoring and so on. I hope Boston beats them 4 straight.

[@blackandgold676]

The choice of the sponsor to be on their jersey is the perfect summation for their team: "MILK!"

[@richardvervoorn6626]

That’s PERFECT !

[@alexanderscavello6253]

Absolutely GLORIOUS watching the queefs choke and be dominated as usual. Still want Florida?

[@wardenshepard6229]

maybe the Leafs can try switching Samsonov for David Ayres in game 2

[@kelseykjarsgaard5774]

It deff was worst case ontario

[@s.m.4460]

Did Nostrils get his 70th last night? Oh.😅

[@Drupeeferd]

Go send go

[@randoir1863]

AND you were expecting a different story this year with the same team and same players? Too bad the Leafs can't find a coach like the Oilers have in Kris Knoblauch who teaches team defense . Same Leafs , same result every year . Boston has to love playing the Leafs year after year as it's such an easy path to round 2 .

[@alelectric2767]

Domi is has concrete for brains. The Rat beat him before the puck dropped.

[@angfra3547]

Cmon leafs… Hold ur head up for game 2

[@inconnu4961]

Its the first game jitters! its tough when even your own media is against you!

[@player9117]

But tuck your chin and keep your hands high

[@jmjm1992]

Gary Bettman will only gives Stanley cup to a teams who is in financial trouble not like Maple leaf they are to rich to get a Stanley Cup.

[@jamesbullock4545]

Leafs stumble? Leafs fell face first and got hit by a dump truck should be the title. Die hard leaf fan here but whats the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and expecting different results. That is this leaf team. The sad part is Boston didnt play good tonight. Leafs just totally shit the bed. Our D-core is trash. The skill differential is very clear. Goodluck boys.

[@johnshields6852]

Blaming Sammy is Lame, a couple of those goals he didn't even see.

[@brianmclean7576]

I’m a Bruins fan - I wouldn’t be so quick to write the epitaph for the Maple Leafs / 5- 1 score is deceptive as Leafs did a lot right - better goal tending and specially play and this is a 7 game series!!!!

[@JP-xo2by]

Nah, imprisoned leafs fan here… If Bruins don’t put this away in 5 games then they’ve begun to do something wrong.

[@user-fv9nl6bb8l]

There are too many pretty boys on the “wait until next year” Maple Leafs. Same sh!t, different year.

[@kermitfrog593]

After waiting six months for last night's game, talk about anticlimax.

[@RegDunlop69]

Leafs are the best in the regular season when it’s shinny hockey

[@michaelhamm6805]

Here is the difference. The Leafs lack Heart. Watch the final seconds. The Bruins are up by four goals and there are seconds left. The Leaf Player fires the puck hard towards the net. Even if he scored, it would not change the outcome. What does the Bruins defender do? He blocks the shot. Sacrifices the body. The Bruins are going hard, all game. Unless the Leafs learn to go hard...they will go nowhere. In playoff hockey, you NEVER take your foot off the gas pedal, as the Leafs learned in 2013.

[@oeiras99]

This is where I came in. Leafs lose! Leafs lose!

[@soapboxearth2]

It's the playoffs , they always shit the bed in the playoffs. It's a mind game. They defeat themselves.

[@clifflayne9073]

Move Matthes, Marner and Nylander during the summer.

[@tedcity5861]

I saw this post in 2020. 😅

[@clifflayne9073]

@@tedcity5861: because that's what we should have done in 2020.