Projected Lines, Pairings, Goalies – NBC Sports Boston

It's only fitting that the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs play a Game 7 for a place in the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

These teams met in the first round in 2013, 2018 and 2019 and each of those series ended in a Game 7. The result was also the same each time – a Bruins win at TD Garden.

The Leafs are looking to end this streak and win their first playoff series against the Bruins since 1959. Toronto has lost a total of five straight games in Game 7 since 2013.

The Bruins are struggling with their own poor playoff history. If the B's lose on Saturday night, they will become the first team in NHL, MLB or NBA history to blow a 3-1 lead in consecutive playoff runs. It would also be their seventh consecutive defeat in games in which they could eliminate the opponent.

So it's fair to say that there's a lot at stake for both teams in this duel.

Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters that defenseman Andrew Peeke will not be available for Game 7, although he was on the ice for Saturday morning's skate. Montgomery also said a final decision has not yet been made on the status of veteran forward Danton Heinen, who missed Game 6.

Jeremy Swayman was expected to start for the Bruins, although they have not yet announced an official starting goalie. Similar to the first six games, we will know for sure when the pre-game warmups begin just before puck drop. Swayman has a .932 save percentage in five starts this series. He has allowed two goals or fewer in each of his last nine games against the Leafs since the start of last season.

The mystery for the Leafs is whether superstar center Auston Matthews will play. Toronto's best player hasn't played since the second half of Game 4. He has missed the last two games due to an undisclosed injury/illness. Matthews was on the ice participating in drills during the Leafs' short morning skate on Saturday. His status for Game 7 is still unknown.

There should be no secret for the Leafs online. Joseph Woll started each of the last two games and posted a .961 save percentage. He was outstanding.

One team's season will come to a frustrating end Saturday night at the Garden. Here are the expected lineups for both teams. This story will be updated by Puck Drop with any breaking news.

Boston Bruins (3-3)

Forward

Jake DeBrusk – Pavel Zacha – David Pastrnak

Brad Machand – Charlie Coyle – Morgan Geekie

James van Riemsdyk – Trent Frederic – Danton Heinen (or Justin Brazeau)

John Beecher – Jesper Boqvist – Pat Maroon

defender

Mason Lohrei – Charlie McAvoy

Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Carlo

Parker Wotherspoon – Kevin Shattenkirk

goalie

Jeremy Swayman

Toronto Maple Leafs (3-3)

Forward

When Auston Matthews plays…

Tyler Bertuzzi – Auston Matthews – Max Domi

Matthew Knies – John Tavares – Mitch Marner

Nick Robertson – Pontus Holmberg – William Nylander

Connor Dewar – David Kampf – Calle Jarnkrok

If Auston Matthews doesn't play…

Tyler Bertuzzi – Max Domi – Mitch Marner

Matthew Knies – John Tavares – William Nylander

Nick Robertson – Pontus Holmberg – Noah Gregor

Connor Dewar – David Kampf – Calle Jarnkrok

defender

Morgan Rielly-Ilya Lyubushkin

Simon Benoit – Jake McCabe

Joel Edmundson – Timothy Liljegren

goalie

Joseph Woll