The Toronto Maple Leafs managed to force a Game 6 in their series against the Boston Bruins despite regular season leading goalscorer Auston Matthews missing Game 5 for the Leafs.
But Toronto still remains on the brink of elimination despite the win. Let's get into our picks and predictions for Thursday night's game.
Flashback to just a season ago - the Bruins blew a 3-1 first-round series lead to the Florida Panthers after a record-setting regular season. At the same time, the Maple Leafs won their first playoff series in 19 years.
After losing Tuesday’s potential close-out Game 5, that bittersweet end to last year has to be on Boston’s mind.
That should have them as motivated as ever, and while they won’t be in the confines of TD Garden this time, perhaps leaving the pressures of the city behind could end up benefiting David Pastrnak and company.
Bruins fans should hope that Jeremy Swayman will still be back in net, as he has owned the Leafs in this series with a .952 save percentage.
Tuesday's Game 5 was his first loss to Toronto, and it was a tight 2-1 overtime contest. Let’s also not forget the dominance in the regular season - Boston won all four meetings with the Leafs.
That includes two games in Toronto, with the most recent of those victories coming by a three-goal margin. Even in their two losses in this series, Boston was the superior team on the ice. It will also benefit them if Auston Matthews is still not 100% healthy.
Things can certainly be labeled as panic mode for Boston if this series does go to a Game 7, but we’re anticipating that the Bruins will close out the series tonight.
As for the player prop markets, we’re going to stick with the Boston side of things, and specifically, their new captain. Long-time captain Patrice Bergeron retired this past offseason, and Marchand hasn’t missed a beat taking over the role.
Like Swayman, he has dominated Toronto this season.
Marchand posted five total points in four contests in the regular season. We’re focused on his assist prop as four of those five points were helpers.
Marchand has recorded an incredible eight points throughout this series, and that’s even after being held pointless in Tuesday’s Game 5. Of those eight points, five have been assists, and that has been his primary role with a volume shooter like David Pastrnak alongside him.
He may be known as a pest to the opposition, but for Boston fans, he is simply a great leader.
Read more betting picks and predictions for the NHL on site.
Boston Bruins | -120 ML |
Toronto Maple Leafs | +100 ML |
Spread | BOS Bruins -1.5 |
Total Goals | O/U 5.5 |
David Pastrnak (BOS) | +105 |
William Nylander (TOR) | +120 |
John Tavares (TOR) | +145 |
Mitch Marner (TOR) | +165 |
Brad Marchand (BOS) | +200 |
Tyler Bertuzzi (TOR) | +220 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.