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Boston Bruins: Top 3 impact players to watch against the Maple Leafs

By Raymond Crane

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 23: Sean Kuraly #52 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 23, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs 5-1. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 23: Sean Kuraly #52 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 23, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs 5-1. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Boston Bruins fans will be treated to arguably the greatest rivalry in hockey as Boston faces the Toronto Maple Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada this Saturday evening.

There are many headlines to be read before the game on Saturday night, including how both teams will adjust to one another after last years seven-game series that eventually led to the Boston Bruins advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.

The difference maker in the playoffs proved to be goalie performance as Tuukka Rask outlasted Toronto’s Frederick Anderson winning 5-1 in Game 7 last April.

This Saturday will showcase two of the best teams in the league as Bruce Cassidy will focus on achieving the Bruins fourth win in five games on the road to start the season.

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Ahead of this weekend’s game, here are the top three players to watch for in the highly anticipated Boston Bruins vs Maple Leafs match-up:

David Pastrnak

I thought last year was David Pastrnak’s career breakout, but it turns out that was just the appetizer. Pasta scored yet again (twice!) Thursday night on the power play and he now has seven goals in as many games to start the year.

Toronto undoubtedly has two lines of fierce scoring power and with David Krejci still listed day-to-day, the Boston Bruins will need Pasta and the first line to continue its dominance over the league on Saturday night.

Pastrnak had a disappointing series against Toronto last season, but he can put that behind him with a few points and a team win this weekend.

Ilya Mikheyev

You’re probably wondering who this is, and you’re not alone. Ilya Mikheyev is a 25-year-old left winger who joined the Maple Leafs this offseason after playing in the KHL each of the past five seasons.

Mikheyev was promoted from the third to the first line on Wednesday night, and has proven that his skill can translate to the NHL, scoring 6 points (3G, 3A) in the team’s first eight games. Prior to being moved to the first line, Mikheyev provided the Leafs with some bottom-line fire power as his dangerous speed created unwanted match-ups against the average bottom-six forward.

If Mikheyev is returned to the third line on Saturday night, both Charlie Coyle and Connor Clifton could be tasked with an additional challenge all evening long.

Charlie Coyle

I mentioned him in my power rankings article, and just wrote about his importance in the match-up against Mikheyev, so my third impact player to watch for on Saturday night is Weymouth, MA native, Charlie Coyle.

I expect Coyle to finally contribute to the score sheet this weekend as he’ll likely be chosen to center the Boston Bruins second line if Krejci is held out for a second consecutive game.

Coyle had a coming-out party for the Bruins in last year’s playoffs and contributed several times in the B’s opening series win against Toronto, finishing with 4 points in seven games.

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The Bruins will need a full team effort against a healthy and hungry Toronto lineup, and Charlie Coyle will need to be an impact player in this game if the Bruins are to receive any points on Saturday night.

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