BOSTON – Mike Babcock ventured that few players on either team are feeling spry after four hard-hitting games in the Maple Leafs-Bruins series.
There have been 293 hits recorded so far, an average of more than 70 a night, as well as 109 total shot blocks. But that didn’t diminish spirits heading into Game 5 on Friday at TD Garden, with the series even.
“That will has to be huge,” said Leaf forward Connor Brown. “It’s been a physical series. You try and take a toll on the other team. For me, I feel pretty good and it’s important to keep playing that way. These are are big games and easier to get up for.
“A couple of games got a little chippy, but lots of playoff series are physical and we’ve done a good job establishing ourselves on the forecheck and going to get their defence.”
Frederik Gauthier is among the 2018 Marlie grads on the Leafs who played into June. So he knows sore score.
“It’s the part of the year you put more on the line than all season,” Gauthier said. “You worked all year for it, you play through the bruises. It’s worth it and if you win, it’s even greater. A lot of us played through that last year.”
Zach Hyman is good to go in Game 5 after a lower body injury scare late in Game 4 and there were no indications of any lineup changes for the Leafs. Across town, Bruins’ energy forward Sean Kuraly comes back from a fractured hand. He’s been out almost a month and will take Joakim Nordstrom’s roster spot.
Babcock looked to shore up the Leafs penalty kill after a rocky Game 4, a home match the Leafs could’ve won with better attention to detail.
“We didn’t like what happened (on the kill), thought we had it covered, but we didn’t,” Babcock said. “We addressed that. It’s a game of mistakes, as you well know, and you try to eliminate them as much as you can. It’s on the coaching staff to do a good job and on the players to execute.”
The Leafs expect a physical response from Boston on Friday night.
“You want the puck as much as you possibly can, in the offensive zone,” Babcock urged. “That’s being heavy, that executing. You go on the road, it’s even more critical. It’s an exciting time. Dig in.
“This series has been about responding and we have to respond again today.”
In off-ice developments, Leaf defenceman Jake Muzzin and wife Courtney welcomed their first baby on Thursday, a girl, born in Toronto.
“It’s been a crazy 24 hours,” said Muzzin, who was able to join the team here.
Babcock also confirmed Michael Hutchinson will be Frederik Andersen’s back-up goalie the rest of the series after a 10-day window the team gave Garret Sparks to get back on track passed on Friday.
Babcock was also asked about Steve Yzerman taking over as general manager of the Red Wings under Ken Holland. Babcock’s first year coaching Detroit was Yzerman’s last year as a player. The two since worked with Hockey Canada.
“He’s a fan favourite in Detroit like no other,” Babcock said. “He’ll do a great job.”
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