Game 4 takeaways: Special teams propel Bruins to 3-1 series lead

Game 4 takeaways: Special teams propel Bruins to 3-1 series lead originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Toronto Maple Leafs have no more room for error. They have been pushed to the brink of elimination with a 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena.

James van Riemsdyk opened the scoring for the Bruins in the first period. It was his first goal since Feb. 17 and snapped a 21-game scoring drought. Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak both scored in the second period, and Jeremy Swayman made 25 saves in another excellent effort in net.

The Bruins lead the series 3-1 and will have a chance to punch their ticket to the second round Tuesday night in Game 5 at TD Garden.

Boston also has won seven consecutive Game 4s versus Toronto. Before we look ahead to the next matchup, here are three takeaways from Bruins-Leafs Game 4.

Brad Marchand torments Leafs again

The Bruins captain led his team to a Game 3 victory on Wednesday night with three points (two goals, one assist), including the winning tally in the third period. He played even better in Boston’s Game 4 win.

The Leafs had absolutely no answer for Marchand in any facet of the game Saturday. It was just total domination by the veteran left wing.

Marchand doubled Boston’s advantage in the second period with a power-play goal. He passed Cam Neely to become the franchise’s all-time leader in playoff goals with 56 as a result.

Marchand won a puck battle late in the second period and fed a nice pass to David Pastrnak to set up a 2-on-1 goal and put the Bruins up 3-0.

Marchand finished with one goal, one assist, two shots, three hits and three blocked shots in 21:22 of ice time. He has eight points (three goals, five assists) in four games this series, including multiple points in three of the four matchups.

This is the time of the year when your best and most experienced players have to step up and contribute. The Bruins captain is leading the way…