Claude Julien reveals how the Maple Leafs will beat the Bruins

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Marvin Azrak
April 19, 2024 (1:16 PM)

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So, without Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci anchoring the middle, the Bruins feel the absence of their elite defensive forwards and offensive threats. It doesn't mean they can't square off against Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares, but it adds a layer of difficulty. As Julien pointed out, the Bruins' defense and goaltending are top-notch compared to the Leafs', but if Toronto can shut down David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand, the Bruins might struggle with secondary firepower.

But former Boston Bruins coach and 2011 Stanley Cup champion, Claude Julien revealed what he thinks Toronto has to do in order to slay the B's.

We all know, it's pretty obvious to everybody, the Bruins have great goaltending and have two that are really good. Their backend is really strong and so is their defensive game. Their defensive structure is very strong so where I think the Leafs have an advantage is definitely on the offensive side of things where they can score a lot more. I think the Bruins maybe lack a little bit of depth in the scoring area so can the Leafs take advantage of trying to get to those dirty areas. Are they going to get to that net front? That means they are going to have to take some punishment, it's not going to be easy, but if they play on the outside, they don't have a chance of winning this series. It's about wanting to get your nose dirty - blocking shots, taking a hit to make a play. There's a team there that doesn't give much so you're going to have to create and make those things happen. A lot of it will not just be by skill alone, it will be by commitment and dedication and wanting to go to those areas.

The Leafs have struggled in the past with creating scoring chances in tight situations, which plays right into the Bruins' hands, according to Julien. That's why Leafs GM Brad Treliving brought in Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi during the offseason. Both excel in those gritty areas and can produce when it matters most in the playoffs.

Last postseason, Bertuzzi had five goals and ten points in just seven games, ironically against the Bruins. Meanwhile, Domi scored three goals and had 13 points in 19 games with the Dallas Stars. Ryan Reaves also provides physicality, and players like Ilya Lyubushkin and Joel Edmundson make life more challenging for the Bruins. The Leafs are banking on creating more opportunities in those crucial areas. But it ultimately depends on whether Marner and Nylander will battle it in front of the net and along the boards.

As the first round looms, Leafs' head coach Sheldon Keefe is already knee-deep in pre-scouting, squeezing in analysis even between periods in Wednesday's loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, devising game plans is one thing; executing them on the ice is another challenge, and that's been a stumbling block for the Leafs.

As seen on Maple Leafs Daily:
Ex Bruins head coach reveals how the leafs can beat the Bruins in round 1