They say you’re never out of a series until you lose a game at home.
After dropping the first two games in Boston by a combined score of 12-4, the Toronto Maple Leafs put that theory to the test.
Whether it was desperation or a lineup change that moved Tomas Plekanec to the second line, Toronto looked like a different team on home ice, beating the Bruins 4-2 in Game 3.
Plekanec’s line combined for two goals – both scored by Patrick Marleau.
The Leafs’ best player, Auston Matthews, picked a great time to score his first goal of the playoffs. Matthews fired a quick shot over the shoulder of Tuukka Rask, beating the Bruins goaltender to give the Leafs the lead with just over five minutes left in the second period.
It stood up as the winner.
Auston Matthews’ first playoff goal of the season has the Leafs up 3-2 after 2. pic.twitter.com/xUNK8zypHB
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 17, 2018
James van Riemsdyk also scored for Toronto, with Adam McQuaid and Zdeno Chara countering for Boston. Frederik Andersen was sensational in net for the Leafs, stopping 40 of 42 shots directed his way, including this save in the final few minutes:
Frederik Andersen are you kidding me pic.twitter.com/epcDpGYHHR
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) April 17, 2018
Both teams will now get a couple of days off, as Game 4 is scheduled for Thursday.