The Toronto Maple Leafs are at risk of getting eliminated ahead of Game 5 tonight against the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference First Round.
The Maple Leafs are currently in a 3-1 deficit in their first-round match up with the Bruins and Game 5 is the team’s last chance at staying in the series.
However, the team is entering the game with a shaky foundation as their star centre Auston Matthews remains sick. Though Matthews played in Game 3, he was too sick to finish Game 4 and also did not take part in Monday’s practice.
On Monday, coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters that the team is feeling “hopeful” he’ll feel better by puck drop.
“We’re hopeful that he’s available and feeling good and back to himself,” Keefe said to reporters while at the Ford Performance Centre.
“But we’ve played well with guys out in the past. We started the series without Willie (William Nylander) and had to deal with that, and in the regular season, had the same kind of thing. We’ll see what (Tuesday) brings,” he continued.
The Maple Leafs have made a comeback from a 3-1 deficit before back in 2018, also against Boston.
The team has made the playoffs in the last eight years and a Game 5 win would secure them a spot in the second round for two years in a row.
Online, Leafs fans are anxious about the upcoming game.
“No question about it. I am ready to be hurt again!” one X user said.
“I am so scared,” another user said.
“It’s do or die – we are staying positive and saying the Leafs will manage to get the win tonight!” another user commented.
The Leafs face the Bruins at TD Garden tonight at 7 p.m.
