Power Outage: Bruins PP Sputters, Leafs Shock B's 4-2
BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins (39-24-8) had a big standings opportunity in front of them on Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs (30-29-13), but ultimately collapsed defensively and lost 4-2 inside TD Garden. The Maple Leafs have gone 2-8-4 since the end of the Olympic Break. This just wasn't a game the Bruins could afford to lose.
But an overall mediocre all-around effort led to a brutal result. The game started right for Boston, with Elias Lindholm scoring just 5:04 into the first period. Matthew Knies' shorthanded goal in the second period further changed the game.
Toronto became relentless, played with confidence, and ultimately sank the Bruins. Nikita Zadorov's late second-period major penalty proved fatal, with Toronto striking once on the ensuing power play, and then a second time just seven seconds after the penalty expired. Max Domi and William Nylander scored those goals, with Nylander's tally making it the insurmountable 3-1 edge for the Leafs.
Charlie McAvoy redirected a David Pastrnak blast to make it a one-goal game, but Knies' second of the game (an empty-netter) was the final dagger. By any metric, the loss damages Boston's playoff chances severely. Huge movement in Eastern Conference playoff probability tonight.
DET and NYI tumble below 50% BOS down but still in the top 8 OTT now in on point pace CBJ on track for home ice advantage in round 1 MTL nearly a lock PIT still in but not much breathing room pic. twitter. com/MULojIpdfr — JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 25, 2026 The Bruins are now just 1-20-1 when trailing after two periods, a stunning statistic and the polar opposite of their sparkling 23-6-5 when scoring first.