Maple Leafs vs Bruins Prediction NHL Picks 3/7/24
The Toronto Maple Leafs will play the Boston Bruins on Thursday night at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Toronto has won three of their last four games, while Boston has alternated wins and losses over their last five games. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Maple Leafs vs Bruins prediction.
Maple Leafs Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 36-18-8 this season after they defeated Buffalo in overtime by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Toronto allowed Buffalo to tie the game at one in the second period, but was able to get a goal from Auston Matthews in overtime to win it. The Maple Leafs out shot Buffalo by a total of 27-25 and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Toronto lost to Boston by a score of 4-1 in the game prior to Buffalo, but did beat the Rangers and Coyotes before that. The Maple Leafs are scoring 3.61 goals per game and they are allowing 3.16 goals against per game, while going 27.7% on the power play and 77.7% on the penalty kill. William Nylander has led Toronto with 33 goals, 50 assists, and 248 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Toronto is Joseph Woll, who is 9-6-1 this season with a 2.83 goals against average and a .914 save percentage.
Bruins Preview
The Boston Bruins are 36-13-15 this year after they lost to Edmonton in overtime by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Boston led 1-0 late in the third period, but they allowed Edmonton to tie the game with 1:20 left and lost in overtime. The Bruins recorded 26 shots on goal and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Boston defeated Toronto by a score of 4-1 in the game prior to Edmonton, but lost to the Islanders before that. The Bruins are scoring 3.28 goals per game and they are allowing 2.72 goals against per game, while going 23.3% on the power play and 81.9% on the penalty kill. David Pastrnak has led Boston with 38 goals, 52 assists, and 313 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Boston is Jeremy Swayman, who is 20-6-8 this year with a 2.49 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.
Boston Bruins Team Facts
- The Bruins have lost each of their last three games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Bruins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last nine games as favorites.
- The Bruins have won the first period in six of their last seven night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 2' market has hit in each of the Bruins' last seven home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Toronto Maple Leafs Team Facts
- The Maple Leafs have won four of their last five games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in 21 of their last 22 night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Maple Leafs have lost the third period in each of their last five night games at TD Garden following a home win.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 2' market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs' last 11 Thursday games.
Boston Bruins Player Prop Facts
- David Pastrnak has scored a goal in five of the Bruins' last six games as favorites against the Maple Leafs.
- Charlie McAvoy has recorded at least one point in each of the Bruins' last six games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- David Pastrnak has recorded at least one assist in each of the Bruins' last seven games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Jake DeBrusk has scored two goals against the Maple Leafs this season - equal-most against any opponent.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- Morgan Rielly has recorded an assist in each of his last six appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Auston Matthews has scored at least one goal in each of the Maple Leafs' last seven Thursday night games.
- Max Domi has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances with his team as an underdog against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Auston Matthews ranks 1st in the league for multi-goal games (15) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Boston Bruins rank 8th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (81.90%).
- The Boston Bruins rank 2nd in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (3).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 1st in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (1.32).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of only three teams with two players to record at least 80 points this season (Auston Matthews, William Nylander).
Maple Leafs vs Bruins Betting Prediction
Boston comes into this game after a disappointing loss to the Oilers in their last game. The Bruins were able to stop Edmonton’s potent offense for most of the game, but allowed a late goal on a weird bounce and lost in overtime. The Bruins have been slightly inconsistent since the All-Star break, but they are 19-7-6 at home. Toronto is on the second game of a back to back after playing Buffalo on Wednesday and they just lost to this Boston team by a score of 4-1 at home on Monday. The Leafs are a very good road team, but I don’t think this is a great spot for them after facing a pesky Sabres team. Take the Bruins at home.
