Nobody is going to look good in the plus-minus department after a 5-1 loss, but there has been vocal criticism of Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner who shares a team-worst -3 in Toronto’s Game 7 to the Bruins.
After the game, his fellow D-man Morgan Rielly (-2 on the night) offered an impassioned defense of his teammate, emphasizing that he wants Gardiner back for next season.
Gardiner will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, so it remains to be seen if the Leafs will have him back on their blueline next season. He originally signed a five-year, $20.25 million contract in the 2014 offseason.
This isn’t the first time that Gardiner has heard it from Leafs fans, either. In January, he was the target of boos from the home crowd at Scotiabank Arena during a loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
However, his fellow teammates were quick to lend their support to Gardiner then, and Gardiner acknowledged the frustration of passionate fans who want to see their team win games.
