By David Salazar, d.salazar@latinospost.com (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Apr 28, 2013 11:56 PM EDT
Tags NHL

The Toronto Maple Leafs are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2004 and will take on the hated Boston Bruins in the first round.

The teams have met in the playoffs 13 times and the Leafs have claimed eight series victories; however, the teams last met in the postseason in 1974. Moreover, the Leafs have not won a series against Boston since 1969. This season the teams met four times and Boston took three of the four games; Toronto earned three of eight points in the series.

The Leafs will rely heavily on goalie James Reimer who will start in the playoffs for the first time ever. He ended the season on a solid stretch, but he has to prove his worth when it matters most. The Leafs are expecting their top scorers to produce but they will also need secondary scoring from such guys as Nazem Kadri. The youngster got off to a tremendous start to the season, but disappeared in the stretch run.
The Bruins enter the playoffs with Tuuka Rask as the number one goalie. The last time he was the top netminder in Boston, the team collapsed against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round. Top players such Tyler Seguin and Milan Lucic will be called upon to step up their respective games. Seguin was expected to dominate the NHL after putting up tremendous numbers in the Swiss league; he never did. Lucic saw his offensive numbers drop and his ethic has been called into question.

Toronto Wins If... James Reimer steals some games and Phil Kessel revels in the spotlight. The defense needs to tighten up as the Bruins have a number of offensive weapons.

Boston Wins If... It wears down the Leafs physically and mentally. Their lack of experience makes them an easy target to prey on. Tuuka Rask needs to prove himself as a reliable number one guy.

Prediction: Boston overwhelms Toronto and sweeps the series.

The Full Schedule: SERIES D TIME (ET) #4 Boston vs. #5 Toronto Networks

Wednesday, May 1 7 p.m. Toronto at Boston CNBC, CBC, RDS

Saturday, May 4 7 p.m. Toronto at Boston CNBC, CBC, RDS

Monday, May 6 7 p.m. Boston at Toronto CBC, RDS, NHL Network U.S.

Wednesday, May 8 7 p.m. Boston at Toronto CBC, RDS, NHL Network U.S.

*Friday, May 10 7 p.m. Toronto at Boston CBC, RDS

*Sunday, May 12 TBD Boston at Toronto CBC, RDS

*Monday, May 13 TBD Toronto at Boston CBC, RDS

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