Brandon Carlo assumed the worst as the Maple Leafs fired salvo after salvo from Grade-A ice at Scotiabank Arena.
Despite the cacophony of boos that rained down from a disheartened Leafs fan base after 40 minutes, Carlo and his Bruins teammates knew a pushback was all but inevitable in Game 4.
That manifested in an impressive backhand tally from Mitch Marner at 5:43 in the third period — cutting Boston’s lead to two and sparking energy in Toronto’s dormant barn. A desperate Leafs team staring at a 3-1 series deficit ramped up the pressure.
William Nylander mimicked Marner’s goal with a backhand attempt near the crease, while Joel Edmundson uncorked two blistering shots from the slot into a mass of blue, white and gold sweaters.