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‘Not easy’ for Leafs’ Kessel coming back to Boston

Kessel

Phil Kessel scored his first goal of the Stanley Cup playoffs and it turned out to be the winner, as the Toronto Maple Leafs earned the split with the Boston Bruins with a 4-2 victory in Game 2.

As per Mark Masters of TSN, that was Kessel’s first ever even-strength goal against the Bruins, the same team that selected Kessel in the first round, fifth overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

You’ll recall Kessel was traded from Boston to Toronto in September of 2009.

After being held without a point - and just one shot - in the series opening loss Wednesday, Kessel was much more effective Saturday. He had 30 shifts, compared to his 21 in Game 1, and was much more of an offensive presence. He not only had the goal, but four shots as well.

“We were really happy for Phil. It’s not easy for him coming into Boston,” said Kessel’s teammate Joffrey Lupul, according to a tweet from Toronto Sun reporter Rob Longley.

Prior to the beginning of this series, Kessel ducked media availability earlier in the week, before eventually speaking to reporters the next day.