For the fourth consecutive series, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins will battle in a winner-takes-all Game 7 from Boston, and, using the best NHL odds, here's our Maple Leafs-Bruins predictions for Saturday's sweaty-palm affair.
The Toronto Maple Leafs (46-26-10) have done it again, coming back from 3-1 to force a Game 7 against the Boston Bruins (47-20-15).
The series has followed the script from the 2018 edition, and the final chapter will take place on Saturday at TD Garden in Boston, with the puck set to drop at 8 p.m. ET.
Despite seeing their two-game lead evaporate faster than water on a sizzling hot frying pan, the Bruins are the consensus favorites to win Game 7, according to our best sports betting apps.
Though they lengthened after the Game 6 loss, Boston's Stanley Cup odds are stil l shorter than Toronto's.
Here are our best Maple Leafs vs. Bruins predictions and NHL pick (odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Over/Under prediction for Saturday
If you love going Under, like limbo enthusiasts worldwide, you'll adore this series.
A stiff cocktail of otherworldly goaltending, feeble offensive displays, players blocking shots like they're taking bullets for loved ones, and, to a lesser extent, no Auston Matthews, has led to four Unders in six contests.
Had the Bruins not scored an empty-net goal in Games 1 and 3, we'd be looking at six consecutive Unders. That fits perfectly into the Maple Leafs' recent playoff trend. They've scored more than two goals only once in their last 13 playoff encounters, which came in Game 2, a comparatively prolific three-goal outburst.
Their offensive woes can't be blamed on Matthews' absence. While he was the only reason they broke through the two-goal barrier in Game 2, Matthews played in each previous game, including an eight-game run without three goals. Nine of the last 13 Maple Leafs' playoff games hit the Under, which would increase to 12 of 13 if you exclude empty-netters.
The Bruins have just as much trouble lighting the lamp, a quandary exasperated by Joseph Woll's excellence. Six of the Bruins' 14 goals (I'm not including their two empty-net goals) in the series have come via the man advantage.
It's no wonder Sheldon Keefe has probably reintroduced corporal punishment to dissuade his players from taking penalties. The Maple Leafs took only one minor in each of the last two games, almost completely nullifying the Bruins' main offensive threat. The Maple Leafs have outscored the Bruins 9-7 in five-on-five play since Game 2, which bodes well following Toronto's newfound discipline.
Considering how much is on the line, expect a similar scenario to unfold in Boston on Saturday. Betway offers -120 for five goals or less, paying out $8.33 on a $10 winning bet.
Best odds: -120 via Betway
Up To $250 First Bet Reset
Terms and conditions apply.
Play Now
Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook betting site. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
Maple Leafs vs. Bruins moneyline prediction for Saturday
Game 7s are the embodiment of a hockey crapshoot. The Bruins have the historical advantage when these two teams meet in winner-takes-all affairs, prevailing in 2013, 2018, and 2019. However, the Bruins lost at home to the Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime in Game 7 of the first round last season and have endured the sour taste of defeat in their past three Game 7s.
Boston is 15-15 in Game 7s and 14-10 on home ice. Meanwhile, Toronto is 12-14, including a ghastly 5-11 mark in enemy rinks. Saturday is the pure, unadulterated epitome of a something-has-to-give scenario.
Momentum comes and goes in the playoffs. The best teams ride the waves like the world's best surfers, showcasing resilience during the inevitable valleys and Travis Kelce-like swagger during peaks.
The Maple Leafs appear to be the fresher, more confident team. Forced to play a brand of defensive hockey they were previously repelled by, Keefe's team has embraced its new identity, wearing the Bruins down like the world's most effective coffee grinder.
Best odds: +115 via Betway
The Maple Leafs are 2-0 in the series and 26-12 without Matthews since the start of the 2018-19 season. Though the Maple Leafs will hope he's good to go, it shouldn't derail them if he isn't.
And finally, the Bruins' -150 odds are far too short considering their recent play. Betway offers +115 odds for the Maple Leafs to win. They've won two of three in Boston thus far. A $10 winning bet pays a profit of $11.50 and has an implied probability of 46.51%.
Not intended for use in MA
Affiliate Disclosure: Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook
Bruins vs. Maple Leafs Game 7 info & odds
- When: Saturday, May 4
- Puck drop: 8 p.m. ET
- Where: TD Garden, Boston, Mass.
- How to watch: ESPN, ABC, Sportsnet
- Favorite: Bruins (-150 via Betway)
Bruins-Maple Leafs predictions made Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.
Here are our
best NHL betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUS1000 | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- BetRivers Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)