The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs kick off their best-of-7 first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series on Saturday night (8 p.m. ET, TBS).
The Bruins finished second in the Atlantic Division with 109 points and a +42 goal differential (not including the shootout).
The Maple Leafs trailed the B’s all year, but only finished seven points back of Boston. Toronto boasted a +37 goal differential on the campaign.
Boston is a -125 favorite to win the series and -130 to take Game 1.
Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Game 1 odds
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Leafs | +110 | +1.5 (-230) | o5.5 (-125) |
| Bruins | -130 | -1.5 (+190) | u5.5 (+105) |
Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Game 1 prediction
(8 p.m. ET.)
The Maple Leafs and Bruins are both elite at very different things. While Toronto relies on its dynamic offensive stars to be difference-makers, Boston’s goaltending and splendid blueline are what sets it apart.
Over the years, we’ve grown used to the Bruins playing a structured, defensively sound game that focuses on limiting scoring chances. But this season has been different.
The B’s are playing a more back-and-forth style at five-on-five, creating a decent amount of chances, but they’re giving up just as many and hoping that their stalwart goaltenders and elite finishers can produce.
It’s a system that has worked just fine to date.
Although they don’t have Patrice Bergeron or David Krejci any longer, the Bruins have plenty of offensive punch with David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle.
The supporting cast plays a big role, too, as Boston had eight players with at least 17 goals on the season.
And it’s also important to note that the Bruins are not going to be asked to put up crooked numbers offensively in order to win.
The goaltending tandem of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark has been all-world for two seasons now and should give Boston a chance to win on most nights, even if they’re struggling to get on the board.
That said, I don’t think Boston will have much trouble getting on the board in this series.
Toronto’s blueline has been a mish-mash all season, and while there have been some bright spots, it is a weakness that will get exposed in a best-of-7 against a team as good as Boston.
Shutting down Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander is no small task, but the Bruins’ blueline, goaltenders and two-way forwards should have a chance of forcing Toronto’s depth players to get them over the line.
Betting on the NHL?
Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Game 1 pick
The goaltending edge could end up being massive in this series, and I’m happy to play into that being the case in Game 1.
I think there’s value on the Bruins to take Game 1 in a rout.