The 2024 NHL Playoffs are officially underway, and the Boston Bruins are up 2-1 in their first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. After a close Game 3, the teams have an extra day of rest before Game 4 in Toronto on Saturday, April 27.
Related: Bruins Predictions Against Maple Leafs in 2024 Playoffs
So far, the series has lived up to the rivalry between the two teams. After an aggressive, hit-heavy Game 1, the aggressive playing style has not lightened up. In fact, Game 3 saw a combined 133 hits, five off the record for most in a playoff game. There have been some terrific plays from guys up and down the lineups and some incredible saves in net.
Through the first three games, the Bruins have had their unexpected successes (who had Johnny Beecher being the first goal scorer on their Bingo card?) and the top guys coming in clutch when they’ve needed to (like Brad Marchand in Game 3). But there have also been some guys who have not had the start to the playoffs they would have liked. Still, Game 4 is a chance for them to turn it around and have a big on-ice performance.
Danton Heinen
After a phenomenal 2023-24 regular season, Danton Heinen has been pretty quiet so far in this series. He had a fantastic assist on Marchand’s game-winning goal in Game 3, but outside of that, he hasn’t been very noticeable on the ice. He has one point so far in this series and is a minus-one. Additionally, he only has three shots in the series for a 0.0% shooting percentage. In Game 2, he didn’t have a single shot on goal.
Heinen has shown all season that he is capable of more than that. Since arriving in Boston on a PTO, he has been an unexpected but essential asset to the team. He’s played up and down the lineup, and is currently on the third line with Trent Frederic and James van Riemsdyk as head coach Jim Montgomery tests Morgan Geekie out on the wing.
Heinen is someone to keep an eye on in Game 4. He’s proven to be a very capable player and is coming off a 36-point season in 74 games with 17 goals. If he can step up, he could be a real difference-maker.
Brad Marchand
Prior to his monster third period in Game 3, Marchand had been relatively quiet in this series (can Marchand ever be completely quiet?). I almost didn’t include him on this list, but one great period doesn’t completely make up for a Game 1 and Game 2 that weren’t what people have typically come to expect from him. He can…
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