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Bruins defeat Maple Leafs 5-1 in Game 7

The Boston Bruins eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 for the second consecutive season, winning 5-1 on Tuesday evening. Marcus Johansson’s first goal of the series stood as the winner, and the Bruins advance to play the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round.

Post-game:

Edelman’s antics certainly helped the Bruins on Tuesday, according to head coach Bruce Cassidy.

“Julian Edelman chugging a beer was awesome. It probably got everyone fired up, including us. Good for him. We'll return the favour at some point down the road,” Cassidy told reporters post-game.

After getting eliminated by the Bruins once again, Marner believes Tuesday’s result will serve as further motivation entering next season.

“It sucks. We believe in this team. We had a lot of confidence in this team. And the season ends early, it sucks. But it's gotta stay with us. We gotta be hungry for this next year, and make sure we come back pissed off,” Marner said, according to Jonas Siegel of The Athletic.

Gardiner didn’t speak to reporters post-game, but Morgan Rielly stood up for his teammate, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

“Nobody cares what anyone says. He’s a f—king really good player. We want him back next year so that’s that,” Rielly said of Gardiner, according to TSN’s Kristen Shilton.

3rd period:

Patrice Bergeron added another empty-netter just before the clock expired, and the Bruins move on. 5-1 Bruins

The most ominous score in Bruins-Leafs history, Charlie Coyle made it 4-1 with an empty-net marker. 4-1 Bruins

Rask heated up, keeping Zach Hyman off the scoresheet with a great pad save.

Sean Kuraly re-established Boston’s two-goal lead, speeding past Ron Hainsey, before sniping one under Andersen’s glove. 3-1 Bruins

Tavares appeared to be fine, with the season on the line.

2nd period:

Through two periods, the Leafs outshot the Bruins 25-19.

A scrum broke out at the end of the period, after Zdeno Chara appeared to throw a punch at Auston Matthews, and later appeared to strike Tavares. No penalties were called. The referees also held Marchand back from entering the fracas.

NHL on NBC analyst Mike Milbury wasn’t having too much fun at the game. Warning: the following tweet contains course language.

Leafs superfan Justin Bieber was in Boston to cheer on his team, accompanied by his wife, Hailey. Bieber fired back at a number of trolls on Instagram earlier last week, after posting a photo of the Leafs logo.

Rask was excellent for the Bruins through the halfway point of the contest, stalling the Leafs’ relentless fourth line with another key stop.

After a rough first period, Frederik Andersen redeemed himself, robbing Brad Marchand of what would’ve been a surefire goal.

John Tavares corralled a loose puck and beat Tuukka Rask cleanly from the high slot. It was a much-needed goal for the Maple Leafs and an opportune time for Tavares to get his first even-strength tally of the series. 2-1 Bruins

1st period:

Gardiner was trending for all the wrong reasons, too.

When it rains, it pours, and Boston pulled away late in the first period. Jake Gardiner was nudged off the puck and Marcus Johansson was able to spin away from the Leafs uncontested, wheeling all the way in front of the net and buried the puck off the post and in for a 2-0 lead. It may be history repeating itself all over again, but the Gardiner-Travis Dermott pairing got off to a calamitous start. 2-0 Bruins

The Bruins are on the board! After the Leafs struggled to clear the zone, Joakim Nordstrom was left alone at the side of the net and snuck one by Frederik Andersen on a tight angle to open the scoring. 1-0 Bruins

It looks like it’ll have to be more than just Marner and Trevor Moore producing for the Leafs, however:

Mitch Marner submitted his best sequence of the series since Game 1, flying through the Bruins defence but Tuukka Rask turned him away with two excellent saves.

Our own Justin Cuthbert is at TD Garden for Game 7, follow @jccuthbert throughout the game.

New England Patriots star Julian Edelman is in the house tonight to support the Bruins.