The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to even the series up at TD Garden in Game 2 of the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The action will get going at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 14, and it’s being shown live on NBC.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins Odds
Boston (-175) is currently favored over Toronto (+155), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -105 for the over and -115 on the under.
The Bruins are 51-32 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 5.1 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the NHL in this young season, is an improvement over the 44-38 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Through 83 regular season contests, 42 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 36 have gone over and just five have pushed. The team is 29-13 SU at home this year.
Boston’s been able to convert on 24.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.9 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Beantown has been penalized 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over its last five contests. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 7.9 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .918 save percentage and 25.7 saves per game, Tuukka Rask (35-20-5) has been the best option in goal for the Bruins this year. If they choose to give him the night off, however, the team may go with Anton Khudobin (16-15-15 record, .913 save percentage, 2.56 goals against average).
Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Bruins. Marchand (87 points) has tallied 35 goals and 52 assists and has recorded two or more points on 27 different occasions this year. Pastrnak has 36 goals and 47 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 55 contests.
Toronto is 49-34 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 83 regular season contests, 42 of its games have gone over the total, while 35 have gone under and just six have pushed. As a road team, Toronto is 20-22 SU.
Toronto currently has the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 24.6 percent of its extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Toronto’s skaters have been called for penalties only 3.3 times per game in total this season, and 4.0 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Frederik Andersen (.917 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Toronto. Andersen is averaging 30.8 saves per game and has 40 wins, 27 losses, and five overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Maple Leafs, the offense will be facilitated through Mitchell Marner (22 goals, 47 assists) and Auston Matthews (34 goals, 29 assists).
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins Betting Predictions
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Toronto has managed 29.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Boston is averaging 36.2 shots per game over its last five home outings.
The Maple Leafs are 18-12 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 36-31 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
Boston has averaged 8.3 takeaways per game (ranked 7th in the league).
Toronto is ranked sixth with 8.4 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher recently, as the team has averaged 10.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 9.8 takeaways over its last five.
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