NHL Preview and Free Pick: Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Boston Bruins are on the road tonight to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 3 of their first-
round NHL Playoff series. The hosts hold a 2-1 series lead after picking up a home win on Monday night,
rebounding from a game two defeat.
Date/Time/TV: Weds. April 17, 7:00 PM EST, NBCSN
Money Line: Boston Bruins +100, Toronto Maple Leafs -120
Total: 6
Bruins vs. Maple Leafs Preview
After dropping game one of the series at home to Toronto, the Bruins bounced back with a 4-1
victory in the second game. The Maple Leafs took control of the series back with a 3-2 win on
Monday. Boston enters tonight’s game having dropped three of their last four.
Toronto closed out the regular season by dropping their final three games, including a 6-5 road
shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens in the finale. The club has looked much better in the
playoffs, outscoring the Bruins by a total margin of 8-7 thus far.
Boston Bruins
Boston was in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference at the close of the regular season with 107 points.
Over the last 10 games, the club is 4-6 (5-5 O/U). The Bruins were pretty good on the road this
season with a record of 20-15-6.
Tuukka Rask is expected to get the start tonight. He was 27-13-5 during the season with a .912 save
percentage and 2.48 GAA. Through three playoff games, Rask has allowed seven goals. Patrice
Bergeron and Charlie Coyle have two goals apiece in the playoffs. Brad Marchand is among three
players with two assists thus far.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto ended the year in 5th place in the east with 100 points. The club dropped five of its last six –
including two shootout losses – but they have turned it around for the playoffs. At home this year, the
Maple Leafs were 23-16-2.
Frederik Anderson is the projected starter for this evening’s game. He was 36-16-7 this year with a
2.77 GAA and .917 save percentage. In the playoffs, Andersen has given up seven goals. Mitch
Marner leads the team in postseason scoring with two goals and three points. John Tavares is tops
with two assists.
Bruins vs. Maple Leafs Prediction
During the regular season, the Bruins held a 3-1 edge over the Maple Leafs. Totals were 2-1-1 over
that span, while all three playoff games have been Under. For the last 10 meetings overall, the teams
are deadlocked at five apiece with totals checking in at 4-5-1.
The Bruins knocked the Maple Leafs out of last year’s playoffs with a Game 7 victory in the first-
round. The rematch has been close and competitive, but the Maple Leafs have looked like the
stronger squad overall. We’ll take the hosts to get the win and to take further control of the series.
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs -120
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