BOSTON – David Krejci had a goal and two assists as the Boston Bruins spoiled Toronto’s long-awaited return to the NHL playoffs, scoring four unanswered goals to defeat the sloppy Maple Leafs 4-1 on Wednesday night.
The Bruins went behind early but clawed their way back into the game before a capacity crowd of 17,565 in yellow-and-black at TD Garden – Boston’s 154th straight sellout. The experienced Bruins turned the screws on the Leafs, who were not at their best, as the game wore on.
The Leafs, whose return to the post-season may be short-lived, were hanging on for stretches of the third period.
Fans may have partied early in Toronto but last call was reserved for Bruins fans on this night.
Wade Redden, Nathan Horton and Johnny Boychuk also scored for Boston on a night where video review ratified one Bruins goal and disallowed two more.
Krejci, meanwhile, registered his 13th career multi-point playoff game in his 60th appearance in the post-season.
First Period-1, Toronto, van Riemsdyk 1 (Franson, Bozak), 1:54 (pp). 2, Boston, Redden 1 (Campbell, Paille), 16:20. 3, Boston, Horton 1 (Redden, Krejci), 19:48 (pp).
Second Period-4, Boston, Krejci 1 (Lucic), 10:25. 5, Boston, Boychuk 1 (Krejci, Lucic), 15:44.
Third Period-None.
Shots on Goal-Toronto 7-7-6-20. Boston 15-11-14-40.
Goalies-Toronto, Reimer. Boston, Rask. A-17,565 (17,565). T-2:38.
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