Facing elimination in Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery openly urged David Pastrnak to step up and play better.
Pastrnak responded to the challenge by scoring the winning goal in overtime, assisted by Hampus Lindholm, securing a 2-1 victory for the Bruins and advancing them to the next round of the NHL playoffs.
“He pushes all of us to be our best. He expects more,” Pastrnak acknowledged. “I knew I needed to improve.”
This performance was crucial for Pastrnak, who struggled with only two goals and two assists in the previous six games. “I thought he played exceptionally well tonight,” Montgomery praised.
Jeremy Swayman made 30 saves, while Lindholm also contributed a goal in regulation to help the Bruins avoid a repeat of their collapse in the first round after holding a 3-1 series lead. This victory marked the third time in seven years that the Bruins eliminated the Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the playoffs.
“It was our strongest game in the series,” Montgomery remarked. “We seized the moment and made a difference.”
Boston will face the Florida Panthers next, who knocked them out of the playoffs last year in a seven-game series. Game 1 will take place on Monday night in Florida. The Panthers have had some rest since eliminating Tampa Bay in five games last Tuesday.
William Nylander scored for the Maple Leafs, and Auston Matthews returned after missing two games due to injury, recording an assist. The Maple Leafs have struggled in Game 7s lately, losing all six since the 2013 conference quarterfinals. Matthews didn’t disclose details about his injury but expressed pride in his team’s effort to fight back in the series.
Ilya Samsonov made 29 saves for the Maple Leafs. Despite the loss, coach Sheldon Keefe praised Matthews for his determination to play despite not being at full health.
