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Andrew Rogers
Boston Bruins vs. Maple Leafs: Game 6 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
Toronto took a step in the right direction with an elimination-avoiding win Saturday in Boston, but are still considered the underdog as they return home for Game 6 on Monday night. Not only are the Bruins favored in this one, they’re at an overwhelming -588 to prevail in the series.
Bruins vs Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
Series deficit aside, recent history suggests that Toronto is a strong play in its quest to return to TD Garden for Game 7. The Maple Leafs have won five of the previous six meetings with the rival Bruins at Air Canada Centre, and have prevailed in 22 of their previous 30 home games overall. Boston has also lost five of its past six road games dating back to the end of the regular season, and the home team has won five of the last seven meetings between the teams.
The total for this open should hold steady at 6, with the over at +100 and the under at -120. The Bruins have four overs and a pair of pushes in their previous seven games overall, but are just 3-8 O/U in their last 11 away from TD Garden. Toronto, on the other hand, has 21 overs in its previous 31 games but has gone below the number three times with one push in its past four games following a victory. Over is 4-1-1 in the past six meetings between the teams.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins might have dropped Game 5, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort: They outshot Toronto 45-21, marking the third time in the series they have produced 40 or more shots. Strangely, they’re just 1-2 in those games. Power-play struggles were their undoing Saturday night, as they converted just one of their six-man advantage opportunities. Boston is now just 1-for-7 on the power play since scoring five man-advantage goals in the first two games of the series.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs find themselves at the crossroads of two significant trends. A day off between games has been the perfect tonic for Toronto, which has won 17 of its previous 22 games on one day of rest. But the Leafs have had all sorts of trouble creating positive momentum of late, losing each of their last four games following a victory. Toronto will also need to even up the power-play time a bit, having enjoyed just 10 PPs compared to Boston’s 17.
