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Maple Leafs vs Bruins 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Game 1 Analysis.

Maple Leafs vs Bruins 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Game 1 Analysis

Written by on April 11, 2019

NHL Betting News

Hockey fans have long argued that the Stanley Cup playoffs is the most exciting event that the sports world has to offer. If the rest of the 2019 postseason is anything like what we saw on opening night, then it’s going to be tough to make an argument against that claim. We saw the best team in the league, the Tampa Bay Lightning, blow a 3-goal lead to lose Game 1 on home ice, while the Penguins and Islanders played in an OT thriller. We also had the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues post surprising wins on the road.

How are we supposed to follow all of that? How about the start of a series that features a pair of Original 6 teams, not to mention division rivals? The Toronto Maple Leafs will head to Boston for the opening two games of the first-round series, with very few people giving them much chance to move on. The Bruins are coming into Game 1 favored by 1 ½, with the goal total for this game set at 6. Which of these two bitter rivals will get the jump start on the other?

Maple Leafs vs Bruins 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Game 1 Analysis

Hurricanes vs Capitals 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Game 1 Pick

Why bet on the Toronto Maple Leafs?

The Maple Leafs made it into the postseason courtesy of a top 3 finish in the Atlantic Division, ending things up with an even 100 points. That is, no matter how you look at it, a very impressive season, especially when you consider that Toronto plays in the same division as the Lightning, who ran away with the best record this season.

Despite all of that, there are not a lot of people who think that this young Maple Leafs team has a shot against Boston. They are surrendering home ice to the Bruins and only managed to beat Boston once in 4 attempts in the regular season. Let’s not forget that the Leafs also lost to the Bruins 4-3 in a 7-game series in last year’s playoffs.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Goals: 3.49
  • Shots: 33.35
  • PP/PK Percentage: 21.33

Defense

  • Goals: 3.06
  • Shots: 33.12
  • PP/PK Percentage: 20.10

Why bet on the Boston Bruins?

This is a somewhat similar situation to the one that we saw last season in the playoffs, with the Boston Bruins coming in with home-ice advantage and as a favorite against the Maple Leafs. That series went the distance, and it was home ice that proved to be the deal-breaker then, with the Bruins winning 3 of 4 at home while stealing one in Toronto.

Maple Leafs vs Bruins should be an easy victory for Boston.

The Bruins actually look like a better team to me this season, to the point where I think they are a legitimate threat to win the Stanley Cup. They were a very impressive 29-9-3 on home ice this season, which is going to make it tough for the Leafs to get any joy in the Garden. They are 6-1 SU and ATS in their last 7 home meetings with Toronto.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Goals: 3.16
  • Shots: 32.68
  • PP/PK Percentage: 25.90

Defense

  • Goals: 2.62
  • Shots: 29.46
  • PP/PK Percentage: 20.08

Blue Jackets vs Lightning 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Lines & Game 2 Preview

Maple Leafs vs Bruins 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Trends

  • Toronto is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
  • Toronto is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto’s last 6 games on the road
  • Boston is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
  • Boston is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston’s last 9 games

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Bruins vs Maple Leafs

This may end up being a longer series, but I really do feel that Boston are just too strong. I think they will come out and flex their muscles a little in Game 1, getting that all important first win and covering the spread in the process.

Score: Toronto Maple Leafs 1 – Boston Bruins 4

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