Bruins forward David Pastrnak acknowledges what team felt going into playoffs versus Maple Leafs

During the NHL's European media tour, the Bruins forward gave his candid thoughts on a multitude of topics such as the Bruins additions in the offseason, his preparation for the regular season, and their recent playoff successes.

It was the latter that caused Pastrnak to admit that the Bruins believed they were the lesser team and Toronto were the better team overall.

While it's admirable for Pastrnak to be so humble, Boston's team was filled with playoff successful veterans and people who are ready for that grind. The Leafs were full of firepower but they didn't necessarily fire on all cylinders.

A nagging eye injury to William Nylander didn't help; but it doesn't excuse the lack of production from all the other pieces. It's a miracle they pushed it to Game 7 thanks to Joseph Woll's heroics, but his injury in the literal last second of Game 6 was the nail in the coffin.

However, one Toronto-based journalist thinks that Pastrnak is not exactly telling the whole story.

Also, I wouldn't say you're underdogs against a team you've consistently beaten in the playoffs regardless of stars being injured or not; lest we forget the 2013 debacle. Whether or not Boston was the underdog isn't the point; the point being Toronto can't beat them when it counts and that needs to change.

Source: 32 Thoughts
32 Thoughts: A collection of late off-season notes