NBC Sports Network is already the winner for Tuesday night with doubleheader offering of two Game 7s. The Bruins and Maple Leafs square off first at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Golden Knights and Sharks at 10 p.m.,
This is the third time this decade the Bruins and Maple Leafs will meet in a Game 7 in Boston. The Bruins have taken the previous two first-round clashes, with an epic comeback and overtime victory in 2013 and with a big third period last season.
But, who has the edge this year?
Maple Leafs vs Bruins LiVE
Each team has won twice on opposing ice in this series, alternating wins since the Maple Leafs took Game 1. The Bruins ensured a return to TD Garden with Sunday's 4-2 victory in Toronto.
USA TODAY Sports' NHL panel makes their picks for who will be moving on Tuesday night.
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Kevin Allen, Bruins: The Bruins are the most complete team and they embraced that in Game 6. The Maple Leafs will long regret they didn't close out the Bruins in Toronto. We had this scenario last season and the Bruins won Game 7 7-4 in TD Garden. The Maple Leafs' defensive shortcomings will be their undoing. The Maple Leafs' hope for Game 7 is to stay disciplined. The Bruins' are 7-for-16 (43.8%) on the power play. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs haven't scored a power-play goal at TD Garden in this round.
Jimmy Hascup, Bruins: This is what I predicted at the start of the playoffs, and I'm staying with it. The Bruins are simply built better for the playoffs: while not flashy, they play a 200-foot game, defend better and have more experience in situations like these. Nazem Kadri remains a significant loss for the Maple Leafs, who need to get the job done first before I have confidence in them moving forward.
Mike Brehm, Bruins: I'm sticking with my pre-series prediction of Bruins in seven and not because the Bruins used big third periods to win the teams' last two Game 7 meetings. I can't see the Maple Leafs, with their defensive deficiencies, winning three of four games in Boston. The Bruins are more experienced in Game 7s, led by Zdeno Chara with 12 appearances. Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin (4-0) is the only Maple Leaf with a winning record in Game 7s, and that includes coach Mike Babcock (3-6). Bruins star Brad Marchand, who averages a point a game in Game 7s, will be a key.
Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (29) battle for position during Game 2.
Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (29) battle for position during Game 2. (Photo: Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports)
Jace Evans: Bruins. I picked Bruins in seven ahead of the series and I'm going to stick with it. While there's been very little consistency game to game in this series, you would have to imagine the Maple Leafs are feeling a little sick about the fact they couldn't finish the job in their home arena in Game 6. Now they must face down the franchise's recent playoff demons in Boston. Auston Matthews and Co. are certainly talented enough to finally down the Bruins, but the Leafs are still a young team and winning a third game in Boston is a tough ask.
