The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to avoid elimination at TD Garden in Game 5 of the postseason’s first round. The opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 21, and fans at home can catch it live on NBC.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins Odds
Boston enters the contest as the obvious favorite with a moneyline of -185. The line for Toronto sits at +160 and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Netting 6.1 units for moneyline bettors, the Bruins are 53-33 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the league in this young season, is an improvement over the 44-38 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Out of its 86 regular season matches, 43 of them have gone under the total, while 38 have gone over and just five have pushed. This year, the team is 30-13 SU at home.
Boston’s offense attempted 32.9 shots per game in the regular season, leading to 3.3 goals per contest (ranked sixth overall in the NHL). In the postseason, the team is attempting an average of 32.8 shots on goal and up to 4.3 goals per game.
Following a regular season where they scored on 24.5 percent of all power-play opportunities (the fourth-best), the Bruins have been able to score on 45.5 percent of their postseason power play opportunities.
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .918 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (37 wins, 21 losses, and five OT losses) has been the best goalkeeper for the Bruins this season. If they, however, decide to give him a rest, Boston could go with Anton Khudobin (16-15-15 record, .913 save percentage, 2.56 goals against average).
The Bruins will continue looking for offensive production from Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. Marchand (92 points) has tallied 36 goals and 56 assists and has recorded two or more points 29 times this year. Pastrnak has 39 goals and 52 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 57 contests.
Toronto is 50-36 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 4.4 units this year. Through 86 regular season contests, 44 of its games have gone over the total, while 36 have gone under and just six have pushed. As a road team, Toronto is 20-23 SU.
Toronto enters the matchup with the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 24.8 percent of its extra-man advantages in 2017-18. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully defended 80.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Toronto’s players have been penalized only 3.2 times per game in total this season, and 4.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Frederik Andersen (30.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Toronto. Andersen owns a 41-29-5 record, while registering a .916 save percentage and 2.87 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Maple Leafs, the offense will be coordinated by Mitchell Marner, who’s got 51 assists and 23 goals this year.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Toronto has managed 30.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Boston has been attempting 35.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
Eight of Boston’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals, and the club is 5-3 overall in those games.
The Bruins this season have handed the eighth-most hits per game (23.8).
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