Jake Muzzin knows about closing out series in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Maple Leafs defenceman won a Stanley Cup as a member of the L.A. Kings in 2014 and is one of just four players in TorontoB次元官网网址檚 room to play past the first round in the post-season.

MuzzinB次元官网网址檚 message to his teammates ahead of SundayB次元官网网址檚 Game 6 against Boston was simple: donB次元官网网址檛 be tentative.

B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 sit back, thatB次元官网网址檚 for sure. You go after it,B次元官网网址� he said Saturday after an optional skate at Scotiabank Arena. B次元官网网址淵ou go after it and itB次元官网网址檚 the toughest game to win because theyB次元官网网址檙e desperate alright. So we have to be just as desperate and hungry. We canB次元官网网址檛 sit back and let them take the game to us.

B次元官网网址淲e have to go out and play our game and use home ice tomorrow as our advantage.B次元官网网址�

The Maple Leafs edged the hometown Bruins 2-1 on Friday night to take a 3-2 series lead. Toronto is one win away from advancing to the second round for the first time since 2004.

Muzzin, Ron Hainsey, Patrick Marleau and John Tavares are the only members of the current Leafs roster with previous experience winning that elusive fourth game in a best-of-seven series. The Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are the only teams in the salary-cap era who have not advanced to the second round.

In 2016, Tavares helped the New York Islanders close out the Florida Panthers in six games. The Islanders needed double overtime in Games 5 and 6 to advance.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 such a fine line, but thatB次元官网网址檚 all you keep focusing on: that next shift and the next opportunity,B次元官网网址� said Tavares. B次元官网网址淵ou never quit, you never stop competing until itB次元官网网址檚 over. When I was in that situation, we tied it late and won it in overtime.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a good experience to draw on and go out there and focus and prepare as best you can.B次元官网网址�

For Leafs coach Mike Babcock, closing out the series against the Bruins would be the next step in the maturation process for his group.

B次元官网网址淔or sure, but itB次元官网网址檚 always the hardest,B次元官网网址� Babcock said. B次元官网网址淵ou know, there hasnB次元官网网址檛 been a whole lot of momentum carried in the series. ThereB次元官网网址檚 actually been none. So I think itB次元官网网址檚 important we understand how we have to play and get prepared to do that and then play.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 important to enjoy the crowd and the atmosphere and all that, but weB次元官网网址檝e got to get down to business and take care of the puck.B次元官网网址�

Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. on Sunday. ItB次元官网网址檚 TorontoB次元官网网址檚 earliest start since a Jan. 2 game against the Minnesota Wild, which the Maple Leafs lost 4-3. Boston, meanwhile, played 12 afternoon games in the regular season.

Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews said the start time doesnB次元官网网址檛 change much when it comes to pre-game preparation.

B次元官网网址淚 guess no nap, but thatB次元官网网址檚 about it,B次元官网网址� he said.

Notes: Marleau and Zach Hyman were the lone Maple Leafs not to take part in the optional skate. Babcock said both were expected to play Sunday. B次元官网网址� TorontoB次元官网网址檚 last series win was a seven-game victory over the Ottawa Senators in 2004.

Dhiren Mahiban, The Canadian Press

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