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Andrew Rogers
Maple Leafs vs. Bruins: Game 5 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
The Toronto Maple Leafs squandered their best chance of getting back into their best-of-seven series with Boston – and now they sit a loss away from a first-round exit as they visit the Bruins in Game 5 on Saturday night. Boston had to do without star center Patrice Bergeron in Game 4, but escaped Toronto with a 3-1 victory – and is now an overwhelming -2,500 favorite to knock off the Maple Leafs and advance to the second round.
Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
The Bruins are heavily favored to end this series in this NHL matchup, with or without Bergeron in the lineup. And with good reason: Boston has reeled off 21 victories in its past 26 games at TD Garden, including back-to-back four-goal routs of the Maple Leafs to open the series. And the home team has prevailed in five of the last six head-to-head encounters. Toronto, on the other hand, has dropped five of six against teams with winning records.
The teams have combined to average 6.5 goals through the opening four games, and have maintained strong over trends that began well before the postseason. Toronto has gone above the number seven times with a push over its previous nine road games and is 20-8-2 O/U in its last 30 contests overall. Boston has gone over eight times with three pushes in its past 12 home games against teams with losing road records.
Toronto Maple Leafs
This edition of the Maple Leafs has fans and bettors excited, but the results haven’t been there yet; Toronto has dropped six of its past seven conference quarterfinal games going back to last year, and is on the verge of yet another first-round exit. Toronto is installed at +700 to rally from a 3-1 hole to win the series – something they very nearly did five years ago in the first round vs. the Bruins, only to blow a 4-1 lead in the third period en route to a 5-4 loss in Game 7.
Boston Bruins
Boston has been sensational in the middle period throughout the series, outscoring Toronto 6-4; the Bruins are +400 to win the second period 1-0, +725 to win 2-0, and +900 for a 2-1 period victory. If you believe that Boston has one more home rout left against the rival Maple Leafs, you’ll get +280 on the Bruins -2.5; Boston’s last four home victories dating back to the end of the regular season have all come by at least three goals.
