Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins: Predictions and Odds

Where: TD Garden – Boston, MA.

When: Thursday, April 11, 7PM EST

How (TV/Radio): NBC Sports, CBC, Sportsnet, TVA | WFAN, FAN590

Toronto Maple Leafs (Away)

Head Coach: Mike Babcock {All-Time 691-408-19-160 TOR, DET, ANA}

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ first season with superstar forward John Tavares saw them finish third in the Atlantic division. They ended the regular season with a record of 46-28-8 and went 3-4-3 in their last ten games – ending on a three-game losing streak.

The Leafs ended the season in the top-10 of each major offensive stat. They ranked fourth in both goals and shots for, eighth on the powerplay, second in faceoff percentage, and sixth in shooting percentage. They were also first in the league for averaging the fewest penalty minutes but the rest of their defensive numbers leave much to be desired – especially when going head-to-head against a team like the Boston Bruins.

One big X-factor for the Leafs is whether or not defenseman Jake Muzzin will get the nod for game one in Boston. Muzzin is currently listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

Goaltender Frederik Andersen, who ended the regular season with a record of 36-16-7, should get the game one start. Andersen’s goals against average were 2.77 and his save percentage was .917. He had one shutout during the season.

Boston Bruins (Home)

Head Coach: Bruce Cassidy {All-Time 164-98-9-29 BOS, WSH}

The Boston Bruins finished second in the Atlantic division and was the second team this season to hit the 100 point plateau. The team finished with a 49-24-9 record, going 6-4-0 in their last ten games. It’s also important to note that as games one and two will take place in Boston, the Bruins went 28-7-3 at home during the regular season.

Boston’s more notable stats this season were their ninth overall for shots on goal, third for powerplay percentage, third in goals allowed, and sixth in shots allowed. The Maple Leafs will have a hard time getting through the Bruins defense. And then, should they find a way to do so, they still have to go up against Tuukka Rask.

Bruins mainstay Tuukka Rask is expected to start the series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rask ended the season with a 27-13-5 record, a 2,48 goals against average, a.912 save percentage, and four shutouts.

These two teams last met in the regular season on January 12, 2019. Boston came out victorious with a 3-2 win over Toronto. Boston is favored, once again, to beat the Leafs in the first round.

Questions to answer

Will Toronto’s post-season play be any different this year compared to Last year with the additions of John Tavares and Jake Muzzin? Can they avenge last season’s heartbreak?

Can Toronto manage to get enough shots to the net to stifle goalie Tuukka Rask or will Boston’s defensive play be Toronto’s downfall?

Can the Bruins keep up with the speedy offense of the Leafs? Can they contain Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Patrick Marleau, among others, all game for several games?

Toronto Maple Leafs Injury Report

D Jake Muzzin – day-to-day (undisclosed)

F Nathan Horton – IR (back)

Boston Bruins Injury Report

D Kevan Miller – day-to-day (lower-body)

D John Moore – day-to-day (upper-body)

F Sean Kuraly – day-to-day (fractured right hand)

D Urho Vaakanainen – IR (concussion)

Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins Predictions and Odds

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