With the Boston Bruins facing elimination and their top scorer struggling, coach Jim Montgomery publicly urged David Pastrnak to step up in Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
This challenge seemed to ignite Pastrnak’s performance when it mattered most.
Pastrnak netted the overtime winner off a pass from Hampus Lindholm just 1:54 into the extra period, propelling the Bruins to a 2-1 victory over the Maple Leafs in Game 7 on Saturday night and securing their spot in the next round of the NHL playoffs.
It marked a redemption for Pastrnak, who had only tallied two goals and two assists in the series’ first six games.
Jeremy Swayman made 30 saves, and Lindholm scored the tying goal in regulation, helping the Bruins avoid a second consecutive first-round collapse after leading 3-1 in the series. This victory marked their third Game 7 triumph over the Maple Leafs in the last seven years.
Next up, the Bruins will face the Florida Panthers in the second round, starting with Game 1 on Monday night in Florida. The Panthers, who ousted the Bruins in seven games last year, have been resting since eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games on Tuesday.
William Nylander scored for the Maple Leafs, with an assist from Auston Matthews, who returned after missing two games due to injury. Matthews declined to specify the nature of his ailment.
Ilya Samsonov started in goal for the Maple Leafs, replacing Joseph Woll, who was sidelined due to an injury sustained in Game 6. Samsonov, who had allowed 12 goals in the first four games, made 29 saves.
The Maple Leafs broke the deadlock in the third period, but Lindholm quickly equalized for the Bruins.
The Bruins received a boost from various good-luck charms at TD Garden, including retired captain Patrice Bergeron and Celtics star Jayson Tatum, which seemed to energize the team’s play on the ice.
