Bruins need to return to basics against Maple Leafs

Just the facts

When: Tonight, 7 PM

Where: TD Garden — Boston, Mass.

How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Opposing perspective: PPP Leafs

Know your enemy

4-4-0, 8PTS, 4-way tie for second in Atlantic Division

William Nylander: 5G, 2A, 7PTS; Mitch Marner: 1G, 6A, 7PTS; Max Domi: 0G, 6A, 6PTS

Anthony Stolarz: 3-2-0, 1.83 GAA, .938 save percentage; Dennis Hildeby: 1-1-0, 4.03 GAA, .869 save percentage

Game notes

*The Boston Bruins are set for an Original Six showdown against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight! It will be the first time the two teams meet since the Bruins eliminated them in the first round of the 2023-24 playoffs.
*The Bruins will see them next on Nov. 5 on the road and then again on Jan. 4 and Feb. 25, 2025.
*The B’s will look to simplify their game and get back to basics tonight to correct some major deficiencies. Not taking bad penalties and or creating turnovers will be the focus as they are the two areas which really hurt them on Thursday.
*Forwards also need to connect on their chances, especially the top six who are struggling to generate even-strength offense.
*Montgomery said he’s felt the Bruins have been missing energy in practice and games, but thought felt he saw some of that energy return in yesterday’s practice.
*According to WEEI’s Scott McLaughlin, the Pavel Zacha, Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak line was back together at practice. Montgomery also rolled out a line with Charlie Coyle centering Brad Marchand and Matt Poitras. Parker Wotherspoon was the odd defenseman.
*The Leafs come to Boston on a two-game losing streak. They are 1-3-0 in their last four games. They last played on Thursday, dropping 5-1 to the St. Louis Blues.
*In eight games, the Leafs have either won big or lost big. The Leafs are outscored 16 to 4 in their losses, but have put up 19 goals and allowed eight in their wins.
*For the Leafs, Auston Matthews has five points and Marner has five assists in the last five games.
*Head-to-head, the Bruins and Maple Leafs have similar power plays. The B’s surprisingly have a slight edge on Toronto coming into tonight’s game on the power playhe B’s are 15.2% on the man advantage while Toronto is 11.1%.

*ICYMI: The Bruins waived Riley Tufte yesterday.
See ya tonight!