Matthews, Leafs Look To Take Control vs Bruins
The Bruins vs Leafs odds have pivotal Game 3 as a Pick'em
Now We Have a Series After Toronto Stole Game 2 in Boston
After a quiet Game 1, Auston Matthews took control with three points including the eventual game-winning goal in the third period to give the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs a massive win to even the series.
The Bruins vs Leafs betting odds have the game as a Pick’em.
Boston had won the first five games this hockey season against the Maple Leafs including the series opener. Four of those games went under the total.
Toronto has lost its last two playoff games following a win and is 2-6 following its last eight wins.
The Bruins have won five consecutive series against the Maple Leafs. The Bruins beat the Maple Leafs in 2013, 2018 and 2019, with the series going the full seven games each time. Boston won all four games during the regular season, and three of them landed under the total.
The NHL betting lines have both teams priced at -110 to win the game. The series odds are also at -110 for both teams. Toronto is at +225 to cover at -1.5 in the puck line, with the Bruins at -265 at +1.5.
When looking at Stanley Cup odds, Boston is eighth at +1200 for the best odds to win the Stanley Cup. Toronto is 11th at +1800 in the championship odds.
Bruins vs Maple Leafs 
Day/Time:
Records: Bruins (1-1 in the playoffs)/Maple Leafs (1-1 in the playoffs)
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ONT
Streaming: ESPN, NESN
Too Little, Too Late For the Bruins
Boston had the last five shots on goal in Game 2, but up until that point, the visiting Maple Leafs were dominating in the shots-on-goal department.
Boston had a chance to head to Toronto up 2-0 in the series but now will need to win at least one road NHL game to beat Toronto in a playoff series for the fifth consecutive time. Keep that in mind when looking at the Bruins vs Leafs betting odds.
After being burned a couple of times by putting Boston on the power play, Toronto put Boston on the power play twice in Game 2. If that trend continues, the Bruins will need to show more when playing 5-on-5 in the next two games to avoid facing an elimination game the next time they play at home.
The total went under in nine of Boston’s last 11 games,
Toronto’s Centers of Attention Come Through
Toronto has one of the best 1-2 punches at center in the NHL with a pair of former No. 1 overall picks in Auston Matthews and John Tavares to call upon.
Matthews had a part of all three goals in Game 2 as he assisted on goals by Max Domi and John Tavares.
It was the third playoff game with three points and the Maple Leafs are 9-3 in the playoffs when Matthews has at least two points. That could factor into the Bruins vs Leafs betting odds.
Tavares scored after having just one goal in his previous 10 playoff games. Tavares and Matthews combined for 10 shots on goal in the win, and it will be hard for the Bruins to win if that continues in this series.
The total went over in six of Toronto’s last seven games.
Bruins vs Maple Leafs Injury Update
Defenseman Derek Forbort, who hasn’t played for the Bruins since March 2, returned to practice.
Forward William Nylander is questionable after missing the first two games due to illness for Toronto while forward Bobby McMann is questionable as well. Defensemen John Klingberg and Jake Muzzin are out.
Bruins vs Maple Leafs Betting Preview
All the eyes will be on Toronto’s Auston Matthews and to see if Boston can slow down the player who led by hockey player stats with 69 goals during the regular season.
It is harder with Patrice Bergeron, one of the top defensive centers in NHL history, retired. Also, as the home team, the Maple Leafs have the last change so Matthews can be thrown out there against favorable matchups.
When looking at the NHL team standings, Boston’s nine regulation losses on the road were the fewest in the NHL during the regular season while Toronto was 24-11-6 at home.
When looking at the NHL expert picks, keep an eye on the odds as the teams have a .575 points percentage as the favorite while both the Bruins and the Maple Leafs have losing records as the underdog.
Toronto is just 14-27 against the spread on home ice although 25 of those games went over the total. Boston is 20-21 ATS on the road.
Boston has seen eight of its 10 eight matchups with Eastern Conference teams go under the total.
The total went over in six of Toronto’s last eight games against Eastern Conference teams.
Five of Boston’s last seven games against Toronto went under the total, as have nine of the Bruins’ last 12 games against Atlantic Division NHL teams. Game 3 could go over the total after Game 2 fell just short of the 5.5-goal total and the total is also at 5.5 for this game.
For NHL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
