Technically, a very late Dominic Moore goal keeps Tyler Bozak’s 2-1 tally from being the game-winner for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Boston Bruins. It essentially was on Monday, though.
The Maple Leafs piled on some empty-netters, so the score ended up being 4-2, a misleading margin of victory as Bozak’s go-ahead goal broke a 1-1 tie with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.
Earlier in March, Bozak scored a huge goal in Toronto’s win against the Philadelphia Flyers, so a once-maligned forward is coming up clutch for the Buds.
(Judging by the responses to this post on Twitter, Bruins fans believed that the Maple Leafs received the benefit of a few whistles.)
With this regulation win, the Maple Leafs swept their season series against the Bruins.
They’re now in striking distance of passing the Bruins for third in the Atlantic:
Bruins - 82 points in 72 games
Maple Leafs - 81 points in 71 GP
The modest immediate concern is grabbing a playoff spot, and in that regard, this win creates some nice breathing room for Toronto:
Final wild card spot: Maple Leafs - 81 points in 71 GP
Islanders - 78 points in 71 GP
Lightning - 77 points in 71 GP
Every other non-playoff East team: 74 points or fewer.
The Maple Leafs can’t just sit back and relax during their final 11 games of the regular season, mind you, but they might just remember nights like these if their push ends up being successful.
That will be especially true if they can finish ahead of the Bruins.