Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins – Game #17 Preview
The 17th game of the season might seem early, but tonight’s rematch against the Boston Bruins carries significant weight for the Toronto Maple Leafs. After already being swept in a home-and-home series with Detroit and Buffalo securing most points against those teams, the Leafs face pressure not to falter against a division rival expected to finish lower in the standings.
Feels like an unreasonably big game tonight. Leafs have already been swept in a home+home with DET, & BUF took 3 of 4 points vs them. Can't get cleaned out by a 3rd straight division opponent that's supposed to finish lower than you. Plus tack on needed response for CAR disaster.
— Anthony Petrielli (@APetrielli) November 11, 2025
Defensive Challenges and Team Strategy
Coach Craig Berube discussed defensive personnel decisions following a difficult defensive stretch over the weekend. While Dakota Mermis is available as a call-up, the current lefty-righty balance among the defense pairs complicates his inclusion.
I talked to Brad (Treliving) about call-ups. We are at where we are at right now. We have Dakota Mermis here on defense, but putting Mermis in there, to me — we don’t have a lefty-righty balance on the pairs as it is, and that is going to make it even worse. You’re putting someone on the right side, where we have McCabe now, which is new for him. He played the left side all of last year, and OEL has played the right at times and the left at times. It creates a little bit of a problem.
Jake McCabe commented on the team’s defensive cohesion, emphasizing the need for better predictability and teamwork rather than working harder alone.
It’s just about being predictable and on the same page. It is not like the guys are trying not to work hard or are not working hard, but you have to work smarter sometimes and help each other out.
TV Info
- Game time: 7:00 p.m.
- Broadcast details were not provided in the original text.
Author's summary: The Maple Leafs face a crucial matchup against the Bruins, needing sharper defensive coordination to avoid consecutive losses in their division.