Watch: Leafs turn up the physicality in Game 3 vs. Bruins

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit. John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: The Maple Leafs turn up the physicality in Game 3 vs. Bruins

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Apr 24, 2024 8:24 PM ET

Following physical battles in Game 1 and Game 2 of their opening-round playoff series, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins somehow found a way to kick things up a notch in Game 3 on Wednesday.

The longtime rivals posted 60 alone in a scoreless first period in Toronto. However, toward the latter part of the first, defenseman Simon Benoit and forward Ryan Reaves treated the home fans at Scotiabank Arena to arguably the most brutal contact of the period.

As the rough stuff intensified, Benoit caught Bruins star winger David Pastrnak with a massive hit seconds before Reaves delivered a similar blow to center Pavel Zacha.

Back-to-back big hits by the Buds pic.twitter.com/g0QAmco88s
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 24, 2024

The Leafs and Bruins combined for an incredible 200 hits over the first two games of the series, and it's clear from the first period Wednesday that this is only the start of a long, grueling playoff fight.

The scoreboard would indicate the same. After the Bruins' 5-1 win in Game 1, only a goal separates the two clubs (3-2) over the last four periods.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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