Why the Bruins are on the edge of a second straight choke: 5 takeaways

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TORONTO — The Boston Bruins are doing it again. For the second straight postseason, they are going to Game 7 after taking a 3-1 first-round lead.

The Bruins lost Game 6 at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday to the Toronto Maple Leafs, 2-1.

A year ago, after winning the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best regular-season team, Boston took a 3-1 series lead over the Florida Panthers in the first round before losing three straight.

"We're not living in the past," coach Jim Montgomery said when asked about possibly blowing another lead. "We're not living in the future either. We're living in the present. Right now, we're not happy with our game. We're going to get ready for Game 7 starting now."

Here are five takeaways from Thursday's game.

Nothing in the first period

For the second straight game, the Bruins did nothing offensively in the first period. In one regard, literally. The Bruins failed to put a single five-on-five shot on net in the first period. Their only puck on goal was a Jake DeBrusk wrister during a penalty kill.

"It's unacceptable, our start again," Montgomery said of the second straight first-period dud. "We've got to find a way to start on time. We've just got to be better."

The Leafs held a 12-1 shot advantage over the Bruins through 20 minutes. For the second straight game, the Leafs' first-period dominance gave them confidence for the rest of the game. The Bruins' best pressure came in the third period when they finally put some heat on the Toronto defenders. It was too late.

"Toronto started on time," said Montgomery. "They're getting the advantage. They have the momentum."

David Pastrnak goes quiet

David Pastrnak, the Bruins' best player, again could not find his offensive touch. The No. 1 right wing had four shots. He also took a four-minute penalty for high-sticking Tyler Bertuzzi in the second period. 

"Pasta needs to step up," Montgomery said.

Montgomery gave Pastrnak offensive-zone shifts with Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle in hopes of igniting his most talented finisher. It didn't work.

"I don't know," Pastrnak answered when asked why he's having trouble generating offense. "Maybe I don't get enough shots. Maybe I should have a little bit more of a shooting mentality."

Pastrnak had five of his shot attempts blocked by the Leafs.

No Auston Matthews, no problem

The Bruins blew their second straight chance at taking advantage of Auston Matthews' absence.

Without their No. 1 center, the Leafs played a complete, physical and committed game in all three zones. The Bruins tried to train their defensive sights against Toronto's top line of Matthew Knies, John Tavares and William Nylander. But Johnny Beecher fell short of marking the slippery Nylander prior to the right wing's goal in the final minute of the second.

WILLY STYLES!!! 😎 pic.twitter.com/9otOYrJbKG

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 3, 2024

Not enough traffic in front

Joseph Woll was excellent. The former Boston College goalie, making his second straight start in place of Ilya Samsonov, was square to pucks all night. But the Bruins did not make life hard enough on Woll in terms of net-front congestion.

Woll got help from his teammates, who did fine work occupying shooting lanes. He finished with 22 saves, losing his shutout on a goal by Morgan Geekie in the final second of the game.

"We've got to win more battles. That leads to more odd-man rushes or leads to more opportunities at the net front," said Montgomery. "There were rebounds laying there. We didn't get to them. We've got to get to them."

Jack Edwards signs off

NESN play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards called his final game on Thursday. ABC has exclusive rights to Saturday's Game 7 at TD Garden.

Edwards is retiring because of an unknown condition that is keeping him from calling games at full speed. This was Edwards' 19th season as the voice of the Bruins.

(Photo of Charlie McAvoy and John Beecher: Dan Hamilton / USA Today)