NHL

Behind Enemy Lines: Babcock on importance of Game 1, Leafs look forward to Game 2

With the Toronto Maple Leafs up 1-0 in the series, all eyes shift to how the Boston Bruins respond in Game 2, as well as whether or not the Maple Leafs continue their success.

On Friday, the Leafs had an optional skate at TD Garden.

Mike Babcock on where Thursday night’s win ranks for him in Leafs tenure

The morning after the Leafs thrilling 4-1 win over the Bruins, Mike Babcock wasn’t jumping to conclusions about the importance of the game.

“We won a game,” said Babcock. “We’ve won lots of games since I’ve been here, though. We’ve played a lot of complete games since I’ve been here, lots of nights good. Because it’s a playoff game it gets more attention.”

Since Babcock won’t rank it among all the games he’s been behind the Leafs bench for, I will — it’s up there. That Game 1 victory didn’t win them the series but it sent a strong message to a Bruins dressing room that thought Thursday night’s opening matchup would be “easier than it was“.

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Leafs prepare for Game 2

It’s almost a foregone conclusion that the Bruins will come out firing on all cylinders in Game 2. To go into Toronto down 2-0 would be a gut punch.

The Leafs are focusing their attention to Saturday night.

“Getting the first one is huge, now you have to follow it up,” said Patrick Marleau. “You have to wipe it. That’s always been said.”

Babcock echoed the message.

“As the series goes on, the games get better and better and you have to prepare better and be ready,” said Babcock. “There will be another level if you want to win Game 2. The team that (loses) always digs in and as the team that won, we have to do the same or we’ll be left behind.”

Maple Leafs newbie Jake Muzzin had a solid Game 1 and realizes that to win Game 2, they’ll have to have an even better effort.

“They’ll come out twice as hard,” said Muzzin. “It’s good we won, now we focus, re-fuel and keep your brains ready for (Saturday).”

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Evan Marinofsky