Tavares gets last-minute role for tonight’s do or die Game 7

Since the start of the intense playoffs series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins, which will unfortunately end tonight, comparisons have been made on John Tavares and Patrice Bergeron, with many folks saying the Bruins’ veteran has got the edge on his counterpart. 

However, it seems now like Leafs head coach Mike Babcock has given a new last-minute role to Tavares ahead of tonight’s do or die Game 7. The proper centreman is expected to take PK draws for the Leafs Tuesday.

Bergeron has been eating the Maple Leafs’ wingers alive on power-play draws in the Toronto zone, showing a record of 61.9 per cent success rate in faceoffs in the series. Tavares is a respectable 49.2 per cent on draws this series, but is hoping to add some more successful draws on the penalty kill. 

“You take a lot of pride in it, to be counted on in that responsibility, out there shorthanded,” Tavares says.

“The attention to detail that’s needed and the trust that’s put in you to read the game and make plays down a man is a difficult thing to do. It can be a big focal point in the game and a big momentum builder.”

The Maple Leafs penalty-killing units have reportedly reviewed tapes on Monday and will place an emphasis on being aggressive, with Tavares going hard on draws. 

It remains to be seen if that will be enough to beat the Bruins and make it past the first round of the postseason this time around.