Bruins vs Maple Leafs Odds, Prediction: Wednesday NHL Betting Preview (Feb. 1)

Bruins vs Maple Leafs Odds

After an eye popping first 47 games, it seems as if the Boston Bruins have hit a bump in the road. The B’s head to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Wednesday and they’re looking vulnerable, after falling to defeat three times in a row.

Toronto’s luck has been completely opposite to its opponents. The Maple Leafs have gone 5-1-1 in their last seven games, including a 5-1 thrashing against the Capitals.

Here’s a look at our odds, as well as our prediction for the Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs.

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Boston Bruins

The Bruins have probably the deepest team in the NHL, and it shows in the stats. They have nine (almost 10) players with 30+ points. David Pastrnak is on pace for a career year with 71 points in 50 games, with Brad Marchand averaging a point per game as well. Both David Krecji and Patrice Bergeron are also having exceptional seasons.

When you’re as high in the standings as the Bruins are, the charts are going to reflect nicely. They’re second in expected goals with a 55.31 xGF% and average nearly 10 and a half high danger chances per game.

Defensively, they’re otherworldly by only allowing 2.12 goals which is the best by a mile. Not only that, but are third in expected goals allowed.

Linus Ullmark is playing out of his mind this year. The Swedish netminder is having a career year playing to a league leading +28.7 goals saved above expected (GSAx) and .936 SV%.

Him and Jeremy Swayman have been an extraordinary pairing, but I see Ullmark starting tonight.

Toronto Maple Leafs

For the past few years, the Maple Leafs have always been recognized as one of the more talented teams. They currently have four players averaging over a point per game in Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Auston Matthews and captain John Tavares.

The Leafs aren’t far behind the B’s in expected goals. They stand at sixth with a 53.82 xGF% and average a little over 11 high danger chances.

The back end has always been a bit of a struggle for years, but it seems as if they’re getting the hang of it. Toronto only allows 2.65 goals per game and is eighth in expected goals allowed.

With Matt Murray out with injury, the Maple Leafs have turned to Ilya Samsonov and it’s worked seamlessly. Since the turn of the calendar year, Samsonov has posted a .937 SV% along with a legitimate +12.7 GSAx over the course of the season. It seems as if Toronto has found its No. 1 netminder.

Bruins vs. Maple Leafs Pick

Circle this one game on the schedule because we have the top two teams in the NHL squaring off. The Bruins are playing uncharacteristically poor hockey with three straight losses, but I don’t foresee that streak continuing. These teams have faced off twice already with both teams each coming out on top, and have both been one goal games.

The Maple Leafs are not a team to count out. They’re loaded with depth and high-end stars, but the defense and goaltending are finally coming to fruition. It’ll also be interesting to see given that both are top 10 scoring teams with top 10 defenses, which makes me wary of targeting the total.

I really like both teams' chances in this game, but I truly think this goes to Boston. We’ve seen a historic start from the B’s that the three-game losing streak they’re on is simply an aberration. I’m backing the Bruins to send the Maple Leafs faithful home unhappy.

Pick: Bruins -122 or Better

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