Bruins vs. Maple Leafs Game 4 Prediction: NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
-
Andrew Rogers
Toronto might be one of the most prolific teams in the NHL, but it knows that it will only go as far in the Stanley Cup playoffs as the defence and goaltending carries it. And to that end, the Maple Leafs have to be mostly pleased with how they’ve fared as they carry a 2-1 series lead into Wednesday night’s home encounter with the Boston Bruins. Frederik Andersen turned aside 34 shots as Toronto prevailed 3-2 in an entertaining Game 3 at home.
Bruins vs Maple Leafs Betting Analysis
Boston’s Game 3 loss dropped the Bruins to 2-8 straight up in their previous 10 visits to Toronto – and they’ve struggled to score in those contests, producing two or fewer goals seven times over that stretch. But the Maple Leafs remain only a slight favourite, likely due at least in part to their struggles putting together back-to-back solid efforts. Toronto enters Game 4 having lost seven consecutive times when coming off a victory, including a 4-1 defeat in Game 2.
The first three games of this best-of-seven series have produced exactly five goals each, which will undoubtedly lead to a lot of action on the under 6 play (the game actually opened as high as 6.5 in some spots.) And as proof, 71 percent of Sports Interaction bettors are leaning toward the under. But if you’re looking for a reason to be contrarian in this spot, consider that the Bruins have gone 7-3 to the over in their previous 10 games against Eastern Conference foes.
Boston Bruins
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy suggested he might shake up his forward lines following Monday’s narrow loss in Toronto, but the trio of David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand were back together at Tuesday’s practice. And while Cassidy said things might still change before game-time, it’s reasonable to expect that triumvirate – which has produced just six points through three games – to skate together in Game 4.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Was it a simple stick switch that helped Auston Matthews snap out of his lengthy goal slump? It’s hard to say – but after swapping out his Bauer for a Warrior stick and promptly scoring his first goal of the playoffs, you can expect Matthews to stick with the lucky lumber Wednesday night. Matthews had gone six games without a goal prior to Monday – a relative eternity for the superstar centre, who has 117 goals through his first 228 career games.
BOS
TOR