Mike Babcock met with NHL’s officiating supervisor ahead of Game 1

Are the Toronto Maple Leafs ready to take the next step and get the monkey off their back that is the Boston Bruins this spring? 

While the first game of the long-awaited series takes place tonight, one member of the Leafs staff made sure that every step had been taken. 

Head coach Mike Babcock was asked about his meeting with the NHL’s officiating supervisor for the series ahead of Game 1, tonight, in Boston. 

While the bench boss didn’t hide the fact that he had spoken with the officiating supervisor, he revealed very little information on what was said during their conversation, per team insider James Mirtle of The Athletic. 

“We’re the least penalized team in hockey, I think, aren’t we? It was pretty straightforward.”

During the full 82-game schedule of the regular season, the Maple Leafs were indeed the least penalized team with just 6 minutes and 8 seconds of penalty per game. 

The Bruins ended second in the league with the most time spent in the sin bin, tallying a total of 9 minutes and 43 seconds of penalty per contest. 

Maybe Babcock wanted to be sure the Bruins would spend as much time in the box during the games of this intense series. 

Can’t wait to see what happens tonight!