The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins meet at TD Garden in Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. NBC Sports Network will broadcast the game, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 11.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins Odds
Toronto (+130) is currently the underdog to Boston (-150), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under). Those O/U odds have moved after initially opening at -110 for either.
Earning moneyline bettors 1.4 units, Boston is 49-33 straight up (SU) overall in the 2018-19 season. That winning percentage, ranked third in the league in this young season, is right in line with the 50-32 record the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 82 regular season matches, 43 of its games have gone under the total, while 35 have gone over and just four have pushed. The team’s 29-12 SU at home this season.
The Bruins have converted on 25.9 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.9 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 24.7 saves per game with a .912 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (27-19-5) has been the top goalkeeper for the Bruins this season. If Boston chooses to give him a breather, however, head coach Bruce Cassidy could turn to Jaroslav Halak (22-18-18 record, .922 save percentage, 2.34 goals against average).
In the other locker room, Toronto is 46-36 straight up (SU) and has lost 13.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 82 regular season outings, 40 of its games have gone over the total, while 38 have gone under the total and just four have pushed. The Maple Leafs are 23-18 SU as the away team this season.
The Maple Leafs have scored on 21.1 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 17th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.3 percent of all penalties.
Frederik Andersen (.917 save percentage and 2.77 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Toronto. Andersen is averaging 29.9 saves per game and owns a 36-24-7 record.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their past five games.
- Two teams that have clobbered opposing nets with shots, Toronto has taken the league’s fifth-most shots on goal (33.2) while Boston has attempted the ninth-most (32.7).
- Six of Toronto’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
- Toronto skaters registered 20.8 hits per game last season, while the Bruins forced 24.3 hits per matchup.
