THE BRUINS OPEN THE POSTSEASON WITH A 5-1 WIN IN GAME 1!

How about that start to the postseason!?!?! LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.

Johnny Beecher opened the scoring, burying the 2-on-1 feed from Jesper Boqvist. Pat Maroon won a board battle in the D zone that allowed the play to develop. First postseason shift for Beech, first postseason goal. 1-0 after 1. Bruins had hit the post about 4 times in the 1st, could've easily been 4-0 after 1.

Boston started the 2nd period killing a 4-on-3 after McAvoy and Domi get matching roughing penalties to end the 1st with Lindholm  already in the box…

The biggest swing of the game came on this play by Auston Matthews in the 2nd, McAvoy got tripped up in the battle, Swayman came out to challenge and Matthews missed the wide open net. A minute later Brandon Carlo extended the Bruins' lead to 2. Wow. 

Jake DeBrusk cashed in twice on two power plays and it was 4-0 by the end of the 2nd.

David Kampf got Toronto on the board 1:39 into the 3rd to spoil Jeremy Swayman's shutout.

Trent Frederic buried the empty netter with 2:08 to go and that was all she wrote for Game 1.

FINAL: Boston 5, Toronto 1

- The Leafs were indeed without William Nylander in Game 1, and Montgomery opted to put Lindholm with Carlo and McAvoy with Grzelcyk. He was sorely missed for Toronto. 

- Jeremy Swayman got the start in net for Boston and was DIALED. Finished the night with 35 saves. I thiiiink you'll see Ullmark in Game 2 Monday night and then they'll go from there. Outside of that Matthews chance, Swayman made several timely saves, especially early in the 2nd when the Leafs had momentum. Unfortunately his shutout was spoiled in the 3rd but really solid stuff from the Bulldog.

- Thought the Bruins played a smart and disciplined game (for the most part). Max Domi on the other hand had a few trips to the box and the refs had eyes on him and Marchand early. I said in my preview blog that special teams was going to be important and the Bruins broke through on the power play twice. Hopefully a sign of great things to come.

- Jake DeBrusk hadn't had a single three point game all season long, but cashed in on two power plays and set up Brandon Carlo's second period goal. Difference maker tonight. Heating up at the perfect time. 

- Johnny Beecher's first postseason game came with a first postseason goal. He was absolutely BUZZING in the first period. Really good game from the 4th line. 

- Speaking of the 4th line, I still can't believe in the year 2024 I am rooting for Pat Maroon. But here we are. Maroon's board battle in the D zone set up Beecher's opening goal. He also buried Liljegren into the bench, which will be on highlight reels for years to come.

- Knew it was going to be a physical series, but wasn't expecting 48 hits to be dolled out in the 1st. Sheesh. Both teams finished with 50 hits respectively. 

- The Garden sounded LOUDDDD tonight. My god I had FOMO.

- Brad Marchand surpassed Patrice Bergeron in all time postseason points with his 130th.

Great start to the playoffs. Gotta keep the foot on the gas come Monday night because Toronto will be looking to punch back. Will it be Swayman or Ullmark? We'll see. I think Ullmark but Swayman played so well it wouldn't shock me to see him back. A lot of great takeaways from tonight that Boston can build on. No passengers tonight. Scoring from all over. These are the THINGS YOU LOVE TO SEE.

It was a great night to win a hockey game, indeed. See you Monday for Game 2.