Fireworks started early in the playoff series between Boston and Toronto. Nazem Kadri was suspended after game one for the Maple Leafs. Kadri left his feet on a head shot hit that is no longer tolerated in today’s NHL. Forced to sit for three games his suspension adds to the intrigue. Yet his absence may help Toronto with the Stanley Cup Playoff Odds. Now at home for game three motivation will certainly be on their side. Head coach Mike Babcock is acclaimed as the best in the game. Game three is a golden opportunity for his Toronto team to prove it.
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Date and Time: Monday, April 16, 2018, 7 p.m. ET
Location: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NHL Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bruins | +1½ (-310) | 5½ (-120) |  |
| Maple Leafs | -1½ (+255) | 5½ (EV) | |
| |||
Bruins vs. Maple Leafs: NBCSN
Boston Dominating
Boston dominated the Stanley Cup Playoff Odds in games one and two. Game one was a 5-1 Bruins cover. Game two was an even more impressive 7-3 Boston payout. Toronto has had no answers thus far. Young Bruce Cassidy is outcoaching Babcock. The Bruins coach has schooled the Leafs mentor on line changes and tactics. Nothing is more of a surprise in this matchup. Most alarming of all has been Toronto’s helpless goaltending. But on their home ice the Leafs can regain the initiative. An old adage still applies. You aren’t in playoff trouble until you lose at home.
Bruins Showing great Balance
Few teams had better balance than the Bruins. Cassidy’s team plays the full 200 feet of ice. Ranked sixth for goal scoring they were an even better fourth for goals against. Left wing David Pastrnak has been on fire so far. Four goals in two playoff games puts him atop the leader board. Center David Krejci has added two more goals. Krejci is also a plus four. Defenseman Zdeno Chara is a plus two and looking prime. Goaltender Tuukka Rask has posted a .933 save percentage to open the post season. Machine like precision play has impressed all.
Toronto’s Misery
Toronto’s misery begins between the pipes. Number one goalie Frederik Andersen has a .822 save percentage. Andersen’s goals against average is an absurd 6.65. Backup Curtis McElhinney has been nearly as bad. McElhinney has posted a .826 save percentage in relief. And his goals against is 5.07. Offensively the Maple Leafs have not been able to keep up. They have literally been steamrolled by the Boston waves. Star phenom Auston Matthews has been shutout in two games.
Team vs. Team
Toronto has won seven of their last ten sportsbook matchups with the Bruins. Only two of the last seven in this series went over the total. Boston has lost four games in a row at Air Canada Centre. Just one of the last five between these teams at TO have gone over the total.
Matchup to Watch
Mike Babcock is universally acclaimed as God’s Gift to coaching. With a Stanley Cup and a couple of Gold Medals the resume is impressive. But so far Cassidy has gotten the better of Canada’s favorite son. Air Canada Center should breathe new life into the Leafs. The public has soured on Toronto’s Stanley Cup Playoff Odds chances. That brings the potential for enhanced value.
Bruins vs. Maple Leafs Playoff Odds Picks
Look for Toronto to storm back into the series on their home ice.
NHL Betting Online Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL Betting Online Score Prediction: Maple Leafs 3, Bruins 1