NHL Playoff Reaction: Maple Leafs Break Through Against Bruins, Oilers Dominate Kings

Toronto Maple Leafs v Boston Bruins - Game Two

(Photo : (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 22: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 22, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Maple Leafs won 3-2.

It was another night full of action in the Stanley Cup playoffs, with two of the flagship Canadian franchises picking up big wins in the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers.

The Maple Leafs broke through to tie their series against the Boston Bruins while stealing home ice advantage, while the Oilers were the last team to get started, and they handled the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1.

Let's break down both games and take a look at what they mean for both teams as they try to get their playoff runs going.

Maple Leafs vs. Bruins: Auston Matthews Breaks Through With Winning Goal

It might be an overreaction to say in game two of the first round, but I can't remember a player as badly needing a goal as Auston Matthews needed that third-period breakaway game winner to get the Maple Leafs level in this series.

The Maple Leafs top stars had completely no-showed game one, which came after completely no-showing against Florida in last year's second round amidst several other disappearing acts over the years.

It's just one win, and the Bruins may yet still win this series, but Matthews' goal last night could be a major monkey-off-the-back moment, given that it came as a game-winner in a total house of horrors for the Leafs.

As the series shifts back to Toronto, the danger for the Leafs is going to be failing to match the intensity that Boston will bring early in Game 3 in an effort to get the series back on their side. That feels like the sort of test this core for Toronto has failed many times over the years, and it's time to show growth.

Oilers vs. Kings: Connor McDavid Wastes No Time Dominating

There's no question that Connor McDavid is the best player in the world, and one of the most impressive facets of his game is the level he consistently brings in the playoffs.

Many stars aren't able to replicate their usual production in the difficult and more restrictive playoff environment, but that's never been an issue for McDavid.

He turned in a whopping five assists last night to help the Oilers trounce the Kings in game one. Much has been made about this being a rematch of the first rounds in the past two years. The Oilers won both of those series, but they lost both first games.

Edmonton needed to avoid such a loss this time around, and the win is big for setting them up to make this a shorter series.

Zach Hyman scored a hat trick with three primary assists from McDavid, and Evan Bouchard had four assists from the blue line. This game really checked all the boxes for Edmonton.