How Leafs’ trade for Ryan O’Reilly, Noel Acciari impacts Bruins before…
How Leafs acquiring O’Reilly, Acciari impacts Bruins before trade deadline originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Bruins’ path through the Eastern Conference to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final just got a lot more difficult.
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired centers Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari from the St. Louis Blues on Friday night in a blockbuster trade that involved multiple prospects and draft picks, as well as a third team in the Minnesota Wild. The Leafs gave up a 2023 first-round pick but held on to their best prospects.
The Leafs will enter the weekend 13 points behind the Bruins in the Atlantic Division, and they are only one point ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning for second place. It’s basically a certainty that the Leafs and Lightning will play in the first round for the second consecutive season, and now the battle for home ice advantage in that series has been heightened. Tampa Bay defeated Toronto in Game 7 on the road last year.
Contents
NHL trade deadline: Updated Bruins rumors and trade targets
The Leafs gave up a bunch of draft picks for two rentals. It’s a bold move for them. How does this huge trade impact the Bruins ahead of the March 3 NHL trade deadline?
Here’s a quick breakdown.
Leafs are a more formidable playoff opponent
Bruins fans can laugh at the Leafs all they want, but there’s no doubt that this is the most talented and deepest roster Toronto has put together in a long time.
The Leafs rank seventh in both goals scored and goals allowed, and they own the league’s sixth-best power play. They are No. 14 on the penalty kill, and the additions of O’Reilly and Acciari should help in that area. O’Reilly, when healthy, is among the top two-way centers in the league. He’s also a former Selke Trophy winner. Acciari is a tough, reliable fourth-liner who can kill penalties and provide plenty of truculence.
Depth down the middle is essential for playoff success, especially if you have to play the Bruins and their three-headed monster of Patrice…
