Few quibbles with Maple Leafs, but Bruins in a class by themselves as NHL hits all-star break

For the Leafs to do what they think they can do — finally kick the past playoff failures to the curb and go on a long post-season run, if not win the Stanley Cup — we can safely presume they’re going to have to beat the Boston Bruins four times in a seven-game series. Of course, that would mean that the Leafs would have eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, a guarantee that even the most blue-and-white members of Leafs Nation couldn’t make right now.

“The margins are thin,” Keefe said afterward. “But over the course of the season, it’s significant. They stay with it. They’re 40 goals better than every team in the NHL. That the Bruins have 83 points, seven more than the second-place Carolina Hurricanes in the overall NHL standings, is one thing. Boston’s .814 point percentage, with Carolina second at .745, is another. It’s the goal differential that really sets the Bruins apart from the other 31 teams in the league.

The Bruins play a complete game with depth throughout their lineup. And if we’re talking about who was missing for the Leafs, keep in mind that Boston didn’t have winger Jake DeBrusk, who is tied for third in goals among Bruins.

koshtorontosun There are two distinct hockey seasons. Bruins will burn themselves out. I give Bruins less than 50% chance of a cup parade. Leafs can't afford to give up any more high draft picks. Leafs lose to Lightning in first round. Leafs aren't built for hard hitting playoffs.

koshtorontosun Unless Keefe is going to scratch Justin Holl, does it really matter if they trade for a dman?

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