The Boston Bruins needed a road victory in game four to even this series, and that’s exactly what they got. Boston will now return home to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in a pivotal game five with both teams tied at a game a piece. Toronto won the series opener in Boston by a score of 4-1, and they won’t be afraid of the raucous Bruin fans.
Boston and Toronto were battling all season long for the number two seed in the Atlantic Division, and the Bruins were able to just edge out the Maple Leafs. Boston finished the regular season with 107 points, and the Maple Leafs came in with 100. Most experts thought that this would be one of the best first round series, and it has been. Boston is -150 over the Maple Leafs in game five.
Toronto Can Really Score
The Toronto Maple Leafs average 3.49 goals per game during the regular season, and they have a ton of offensive weapons. Center Auston Matthews leads the team with three goals so far this postseason, and John Tavares and Mitch Marner have each chipped in with four points. The Maple Leafs want to speed this game up and create scoring chances against a Boston team that refuses to allow goals.
Goaltender Frederik Andersen has been terrific in net for the Maple Leafs in this series, but he needs some help from his defense. Andersen has stopped better than 91 percent of the shots he has faced, but the Maple Leafs are allowing too many shots on goal. Toronto allowed 3.04 goals per game during the regular season, and their defense might cost them against the Bruins.
Rask Continues to Shut Down Opponents
Boston is almost the exact opposite of Toronto, and they have been one of the toughest teams to score on all season long. The Bruins allowed just 2.59 goals per game during the regular season, and they are close to that mark in this series. Tuukka Rask is one of the best goaltenders in the entire NHL and is stopping better than 92 percent of the shots he has faced. Boston knows how to slow a game down to limit opportunities for their opponent.
David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand were the offensive stars for the Bruins in the regular season, and that trend has continued in this series. Pastrnak got his first two goals of the series in game four, and Marchand leads the team with four assists and two goals. Boston wants to win games with their defense and goaltending, but these two players have the potential to have a big night.
Boston Takes Series Lead
The Toronto Maple Leafs missed a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in game four, and it is going to end up costing them. Boston has a ton of momentum heading into game five, and they are going to use that to their advantage. Look for the Bruins to get enough offense and stellar goaltending to take a 3-2 series lead. Bet the Boston Bruins -150 over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
