Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs are now the team's main rival, surpassing the Montreal Canadiens.
Boston is going to compete against the Maple Leafs in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on April 20. This will be their third playoff matchup in seven years, which is why Marchand considers Toronto to be Boston's biggest rival.
Marchand said to NHL.com.
that Toronto has overtaken Montreal and other teams as their biggest rival because of their competitive history and recent playoff series, which amps up the emotion, intensity, and excitement for fans.
During the 2023-24 NHL regular season, Boston won all four games against Toronto . However, the playoffs are a different story.Marchand expressed, “They're always extremely competitive. You never know which way the series is going to go. But that’s what you want. That’s what you love about hockey is the competition aspect.
Boston may have won all four games against Toronto this season, but they are not underestimating the Maple Leafs as they head into the series.
The Bruins are not underestimating the Maple Leafs.
Despite their victories against Toronto in the regular season, the Bruins are not disregarding the Maple Leafs as they enter the playoff series.
Charlie Coyle, a Bruins forward, remarks on Toronto's strong lineup and goal-scoring abilities, while expressing confidence in Boston's ability to handle the Maple Leafs offense.
“They have several skilled players who play hard and can be very dangerous around the net and create scoring chances,” Coyle stated. “You’ve just got to be aware of who’s out there and who you’re up against and play hard.
“They’ll be a tough challenge,” Marchand added.
Boston and Toronto have met in the playoffs for the fourth time in the last 11 years. The Bruins have emerged victorious in all four encounters, including the memorable Game 7 comeback in 2013 when Boston overcame a 4-1 deficit in the third period.
On April 20, Boston and Toronto will face each other in the playoffs for the fourth time in the last 11 years.
Boston has emerged victorious in all four playoff matchups, including the remarkable Game 7 comeback in 2013, when they trailed 4-1 in the third period.
The most recent playoff matchup between Toronto and Boston ended with the Bruins eliminating the Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the first round. Toronto has not beaten Boston was in 2019 in a playoff series since the 1959 Stanley Cup playoffs. as the Bruins have won the last six matchups. Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand explains why the Toronto Maple Leafs have become their biggest rival ahead of the playoffs.
