Toronto Maple Leafs keep their composure in crucial win over Bruins

The Toronto Maple Leafs picked up an impressive 6-4 victory over the Boston Bruins and gained an important advantage in the Atlantic Division race.

If you were not able to watch Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins you missed out on an intense game.

Going into this game, it was clear what Boston was attempting to do to Toronto in this game. They wanted to use their physical play to create a mismatch and while the Leafs were definitely on the receiving end of a lot of punishment, they got the all-important two points in the standings.

This was a game where you definitely have to credit the Leafs for remaining composed because they definitely could have taken a lot of undisciplined penalties. Instead they focused on their play between the whistles and while it was shaky in the third period, they made sure the Bruins did not get back in the game.

The concerning part from the game was losing two defencemen in Justin Holl and Ilya Lyubushkin which put a serious burden on the remaining defenders to pick up some tough minutes. On top of that Petr Mrazek was forced to leave the game after re-injuring his groin in the first period.

Seeing the players step up in that situation is definitely comforting but the Leafs aren’t out of the woods yet as they have to see where they are with their injuries.

Lack of suspension for Taylor Hall for punching Ilya Lyubushkin frustrating, but not surprising

Let’s make one thing clear. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety definitely sent a message with their ruling on Taylor Hall.

It’s a broken system that not only lacks consistency but it remains one of the biggest guessing games when trying to determine what is worthy of a suspension. Look no further than the differing opinions on whether Hall should be suspended for punching Lyubushkin.

A $5,000 fine definitely doesn’t send a message to an NHL player making millions of dollars that they shouldn’t be sucker punching their opponent when they have their backs turned. Really players should be concerned as to whether the NHL actually has player safety as a priority.

Was the Lyubushkin hit questionable? Definitely. However whether it was a punch with his glove on or off, Hall was retaliating to a play that he deemed to be dangerous by taking it to another level.

Also, Lyubushkin doesn’t have a history of diving and has the reputation as a physical player so it’s highly unlikely that he is trying to sell the play in order to get a call. He also isn’t leaving his team in a situation where they are already shorthanded and now have to go with four defencemen for the rest of the game.

So hopefully, Lyubushkin and Holl are able to return because this will put the Leafs in a hole given they have Jake Muzzin and Rasmus Sandin sidelined as well.

What are your thoughts on the Leafs win over the Bruins? Are you concerned about the injuries from the game? Also give us your thoughts on the Hall-Lyubushkin incident. Let us know in the comments below.