Before the first-round Stanley Cup playoff series between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs concludes, expect plenty of gamesmanship between the two teams. And we didn't have to wait long for a prime example, as the Maple Leafs showcased some on-ice gamesmanship after suffering a tough loss to the Bruins in Game 1 on Saturday night.
The Bruins dominated the game, leaving little for the Maple Leafs to celebrate. However, after the game, reports emerged that at least one Maple Leafs player attempted to skate away with the game puck, much to the Bruins' dismay.
In NHL tradition, winning playoff teams often keep the game pucks as they aim to collect 16 on their journey to a Stanley Cup championship. The Maple Leafs were likely aware of this and may have been trying to irk their opponents by claiming the puck for themselves.
While some criticized the Leafs move, considering their poor performance in Game 1, it's likely that the Bruins would have done something similar if roles were reversed. Ultimately, no harm was done, and such gamesmanship only adds fuel to the fire for the upcoming games in the series.
