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Bruins Pick to Close Out Maple Leafs in Game 6
The good news for the Boston Bruins is that they scored on 50% of their shots on goal in the first period while attempting to eliminate a Toronto Maple Leafs team that was playing without NHL goal-scoring leader Auston Matthews. The bad news is that Boston only got two shots through to Joseph Woll in his third career playoff start.
Another effort like that and the Bruins may be forced to win at home in Game 7 to advance to the second round in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The NHL betting line has Game 6 as a Pick’em, just as Games 3 and 4 were with the Maple Leafs playing at home.
Boston is 7-2 against Toronto this season and one more win will give the Bruins their seventh consecutive series win over the Maple Leafs. The last time Toronto topped Boston in a playoff series was in 1959.
The NHL odds have the Bruins at -385 to win the series despite a listless performance in Game 5. Toronto is priced at +225 to cover the -1½ puck line.
When looking at Stanley Cup odds, Boston is seventh at +1000 for the best odds to win the Stanley Cup. Toronto is 10th at +4000 in the championship odds.
Bruins vs Maple Leafs Game Information
- Game: Bruins 50-22-15 (25-9-9 on the road) vs Maple Leafs (48-29-10, 22-17-4 at home)
- Date/Time: Thursday, May 2, 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ONT
- Bruins vs Maple Leafs Live Stream: NHL.com
Bruins vs Maple Leafs Odds and Spreads
Bruins Looking to Advance
The fact that Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak combined for as many shots on goal as Trent Frederic in Game 5 speaks volumes of how things went for the Bruins, who are looking to put last year’s first-round playoff meltdown behind them.
Boston has won its last five games in Toronto after winning Games 3 and 4. The Bruins have outscored the Maple Leafs 20-9 in those games. The Bruins are hoping that their next home game will come in Game 3 against the Florida Panthers. If Boston drops Game 6 and needs to win at home in Game 7 to avoid squandering a 3-1 series lead for the second season in a row, the pressure on the Bruins will be immense.
Boston led either 2-1 or 3-1 only to lose a playoff series in four of the last five seasons so keep that in mind heading into Game 6.
No Matthews, No Problem for Maple Leafs
Toronto fans were not in a great frame of mind as it became clear that Auston Matthews was not going to be able to suit up as the Maple Leafs faced elimination against the hated Bruins.
Without the 69-goal scorer and with young goalie Joseph Woll making his first start of the series, Toronto locked things up in its most important game of the season.
Matthew Knies was the best bet for Toronto to have a point in the BetUS preview and he delivered with the game-winning goal in overtime after John Tavares overpowered Boston defenseman Matt Grzelczyk to set up the overtime goal.
Knies to be taking the series back home! pic.twitter.com/f3nUeTT890
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 1, 2024
Tavares and William Nylander combined for nine shots on goal in Game 5 while Knies had four others. More of that will be needed in Game 6 if Toronto is to stave off elimination again.
Toronto lost five of its last six elimination games with Matthews in the lineup so it remains to be seen what will happen if he is unable to play once again. Keep an eye on the updates because the Vegas NHL odds will shift one way or the other based on Matthews’ availability.
Notable Betting Trends
Boston is just 2-6 in the last seven games when having a chance to close out a series, with three of those losses coming on the road.
Here are some numbers to consider for those who bet online.
- The total went under in five of the last seven games between the Bruins and the Maple Leafs.
- The teams are a combined 75-55-19 as favorites this season and just 14-16-6 as the underdog.
- The Bruins have covered in 22 of 43 road games.
- Toronto is 14-29 against the puck line at home.
- The Maple Leafs have seen 25 of 43 home games land over the total.
- The total has gone under in 11 of Boston’s last 14 games.
Bruins vs Maple Leafs Injury Update
Boston defenseman Derek Forbort is questionable for Boston. He hasn’t played since March 2. Forward Justin Brazeau has returned for the Bruins. Defenseman Andrew Peeke is out.
Matthews is questionable for Toronto. Forward Bobby McMann is out as are defensemen John Klingberg and Jake Muzzin.
What to Look for in Game 6
In the last six games after Brad Marchand failed to register a shot on goal, he had six goals so look for more from the Boston captain in Game 6.
Toronto played under control with the Bruins only having one power play in the game and that came early in the second period. Woll only needed to make one save on that Boston power play. If the Maple Leafs can limit the man-advantage opportunities for the Bruins, perhaps this game goes to Game 7.
Toronto is 2-10 in its last 12 games against the Bruins. The Maple Leafs are 2-7 over the last nine games. Boston should be fresh because the Bruins didn’t exert much effort in Game 5.
Seven of the last 10 games went under the total. The Bruins have won six of their last seven road games. Go with the Bruins at -110 to eliminate the Maple Leafs from the playoffs once again.
Bruins vs Maple Leafs Prediction
Questions of the Day
When is the last time the Maple Leafs beat the Bruins in a playoff series?
Toronto won eight of the first 10 series against the Bruins, with the most recent playoff series win for the Maple Leafs coming in 1959.
What are good player prop options for Game 5 of the Bruins-Maple Leafs series on April 30?
Don’t expect Boston winger Brad Marchand to go without a shot for the second game in a row so take a look at the goals and point props for Marchand. John Tavares could come through yet again for the Maple Leafs.
