Nylander, Maple Leafs beat Bruins, force Game 7

The Toronto Maple Leafs forced a winner-take-all Game 7 in their first-round series against the Boston Bruins after earning a narrow 2-1 victory on home ice Thursday night.

Boston will host the final game Saturday. TD Garden housed Game 7s between the two clubs in 2013, 2018, and 2019, with the home side prevailing each time.

The winner will move on to face the Florida Panthers in Round 2. The Cats eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games this year and ended both the Bruins’ and Maple Leafs’ playoffs last spring en route to a Stanley Cup Final appearance.

Toronto’s victory came largely on the backs of William Nylander and Joseph Woll. The winger scored both Maple Leafs goals, while the netminder had his shutout snapped with 0.1 seconds left on the clock.

“(Nylander) is a heck of a game-breaker,” Toronto captain John Tavares said postgame, per The Hockey News’ David Alter. “When he’s got the puck on his stick, he can make something happen at any time. Two elite finishes for us tonight, obviously came at a great time in a huge way, so not surprising. We love having him here.”

Woll made 22 saves on the night and is 2-0 in the series after taking over starting duties from Ilya Samsonov.

“It’s a pretty special moment to be part of,” Woll told NHL on TNT. “I’m just trying my best to play hockey. I think last year’s experience definitely helped me feel a bit more comfortable in the situation. I’m just loving playing with this group of guys.”

The rookie made his playoff debut last spring and started Games 4 and 5 of the Leafs’ second-round loss to the Panthers.

Boston held a 69-49 edge in shot attempts at all strengths in Game 6, but Toronto blocked 27 shots, per Natural Stat Trick.

“I can’t say enough about the guys in front of me. … I wouldn’t trade my D corps for anyone,” Woll said.

The Maple Leafs were again without Auston Matthews, who has been out of action since the third period of Game 4 due to injury and illness. His status for Game 7 is unclear.

Including the regular season, Toronto has gone 3-0 without Matthews in the lineup this campaign.

The Bruins fumbled a 3-1 series lead in the opening round against the Panthers last spring. Maple Leafs winger Tyler Bertuzzi was a member of the Bruins during that collapse.

“I think everyone’s frustrated over there,” he said Thursday, per TSN’s Chris Johnston.

Puck drop for Game 7 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

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