The Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins are slated for a Game 7 on Tuesday night back in Boston. There is no better entertainment in sports than a deciding seventh game, and this should be an absolute thriller between two teams that are extremely close. Neither team has won two straight games in this series, and the Toronto Maple Leafs hope that this trend continues.
The Maple Leafs had a chance to close out this series at home in Game 6, but they fell to the Bruins by a score of 4-2. This has been a relatively low-scoring series up to this point, and this series will likely be decided by one goal. The Maple Leafs will try to turn this game into a track meet, while the Bruins are going to try to slow down the pace. The Boston Bruins are -145 over the Toronto Maple Leafs in this game.
Marchand Looks To Carry Bruins
Left winger Brad Marchand was able to reach 100 points during the regular season, and he has carried that momentum into this postseason. Marchand leads the Bruins with four goals and nine points so far against the Maple Leafs, and he looks determined to move Boston into the second round. David Pastrnak has chipped in on the offensive end as well, scoring two goals and chipping in with four assists. Marchand and Pastrnak are the keys to the Bruins offense going forward.
The Bruins allowed less than 2.6 goals per game during the regular season, and they want to win this game with their defense. Goaltender Tuukka Rask has allowed 2.54 goals per game but has also stopped 92 percent of the shots that he has faced. The Bruins are a terrific team on special teams, and they will do all that they can to limit the chances of the Maple Leafs in this game.
Andersen Solid In Net
The Maple Leafs have gotten terrific work from Frederik Andersen in net in this series, but he is going to need some help at some point. Andersen has stopped 93 percent of the shots that he has faced, but the Maple Leafs continue to put him in a tough position. The Maple Leafs have allowed more than 210 shots on net so far in this series, and that just won’t get it done moving forward. Look for Toronto to try to shore up their defense for this decisive Game 7.
Auston Matthews has been touted as the up-and-coming star in the NHL, and he has carried this Maple Leafs team in the postseason. Matthews is leading the team with five goals and six points and will need to be great if the Maple Leafs are going to advance to the second round. Veteran John Tavares has chipped in with four points in this series and can carry his line as well. The Maple Leafs have enough offense to steal this road game in Boston.
Boston Wins Series
This has been a wildly exciting series up to this point, and that should continue in Game 7. Boston will try to slow this game down, while the Maple Leafs are going to try to take some chances. Look for Tuukka Rask and the Bruins to keep this game close, and the Bruins will find enough offense to advance. Bet the Boston Bruins -145 over the Toronto Maple Leafs.