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NY Post
New York Post
22 Apr 2024


NextImg:Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Game 2 odds, prediction: NHL playoffs best bets for Monday

The Toronto Maple Leafs got caught up in the moment in Game 1 against the Boston Bruins.

All season long, the Leafs seem hellbent on proving they wouldn’t be physically pushed around in the playoffs, but that seemed to backfire Saturday as Toronto took careless penalties and spent most of the night running around.

A better, more-detailed effort is expected from the Leafs in Game 2. But will it be enough?

(7 p.m. ET, ESPN)

One of the big concerns going into this series was that Toronto’s blueline didn’t have enough puck-movers to beat Boston’s forecheck and get things moving in the right direction.

That flaw showed Saturday night as the Leafs had no rhythm to their game until the third period when Boston was happy to sit back with a 4-0 lead. 

The Bruins won’t want to change too much from Game 1.

Boston was in control from the drop of the puck and was able to keep Toronto’s top players quiet all night long.

Auston Matthews had a couple of good looks, but aside from that it was a pretty pedestrian performance from Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

William Nylander missed Game 1 with an injury and is questionable for Game 2. 

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 20: Boston Bruins left wing Pavel Zacha (18) drills a shot during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 20, 2024, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Boston Bruins left wing Pavel Zacha (18) drills a shot during Game 1 Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

On paper, these two teams seem pretty even.

The Leafs were an offensive dynamo all season, while the Bruins have an elite blueline and, arguably, the best goaltending tandem in the NHL.

It was supposed to be a strength vs. strength matchup.

The issue in Game 1 was that Toronto’s biggest flaws, a mish-mash blueline and inconsistent goaltending, proved to be fatal.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are all about making adjustments and for the Maple Leafs that means playing a much tidier, composed defensive game.

Game 2 will be chippy as the Maple Leafs look to prove they won't be pushed around.
Game 2 will be chippy as the Maple Leafs look to prove they won’t be pushed around. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

I’d expect Toronto to come out looking to keep things quiet in their own end and limit mistakes, allowing its star players to have a chance to be the difference Monday night.

The Bruins will have no issue with that either.

The Bet:  Under 5.5 (+104, FanDuel)