I think it just really comes down to if the Leafs can finally show up at a winner take all game.I do think this Toronto team has gotten slightly better at games like these in terms of effort since the Montreal series though still haven’t gotten it right yet and haven’t given you reasons yet to have full faith in them(See Tampa Bay game 7 2022). They barely scrapped by Tampa Bay last year and one goal:bad bounce away from another game 7 after leading 3-1.
This is a much different and weaker Boston team that this leafs core has dealt with in the past playoffs though. It’s not even the same team of last year. Their offence depth isn’t that great that they need it to be tight games even though the leafs have adapted to playing it tight as well and getting the better of the Bruins, the games have still been close and it’s always still anyways game in games like that. The few small moments in this series were Boston has open up, the Leafs have taken advantage of (mutiple breakaways end of game 6) The Bruins could really get blown out if they try to do that as a game plan. Especially if Woll continues his calm and collective play.
Even with saying that, the leafs are still the leafs and this core can’t be trusted yet until they actually do it. There’s about several ways I can see this game going but I just really don’t know. It’s part of what makes this game so interesting to see what the hell is gonna happen.
It will be a devastating lost for whoever loses though but I do think the leafs need it more. I don’t think Boston really does anything to Florida if they win. I always said Toronto needs to win a 7 game emotional rollatcoaster series to maybe go on a run finally. It would be interesting see what change to the mindset and confidence to the Leafs core if they finally beat this game 7 demon and also finally beat Boston that has mostly been the cause for their reputation the last decade.
