The Toronto Maple Leafs struggled to find their footing in their own barn to start the season by going 3-5-0 SU at Scotiabank Arena out of the gate but have since won four in a row at home while outscoring the opposition 19-4 in that span. The Leafs will look to keep the momentum going when they play the second contest of a three-game homestand Monday against the Boston Bruins. Sportsbooks opened the Bruins as +130 road underdogs with a total of 5.5.
SHARK BITES
- The Bruins are 1-6 SU in their last seven games on the road vs the Maple Leafs.
- The total has gone UNDER in eight of the Maple Leafs’ last 10 games at home (avg. combined score: 4.8).
- The total has gone UNDER in the Bruins’ last five games (avg. combined score: 3.4).
Bruins vs Maple Leafs Game Center
Leafs are finding their groove at home
Toronto is coming off a 6-0 romp over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday when Andreas Johnsson became the eighth Maple Leaf to record a first-period hat trick, which was especially impressive considering the 24-year-old had only three points over his first 18 games. Patrick Marleau scored his second goal in 10 games vs the Flyers and tallied twice in four meetings with Boston last season. The veteran will skate in his 1,600th NHL game tonight.
The Bruins, who recorded a 5-1 triumph over the Buds on November 10, picked up a 3-2 win over Montreal on Saturday and are on a five-game point streak entering this one (3-0-2). Defenseman John Moore scored his first goal of the season vs the Habs, converting on the power play with 2:57 remaining in the third period. Jake DeBrusk also found the back of the net and now has five goals in his past six games and nine points (seven goals, two assists) in his last 10.
Bruins, Maple Leafs going UNDER in Ontario
The Bruins have had their fair share of struggles when traveling to Toronto in recent years, going 1-6 SU in their last seven road games vs the Maple Leafs. The Bruins are also 1-6 SU in their past seven as road underdogs and 2-8 SU in their previous 10 games when coming off consecutive wins.
When it comes to the total, bettors may want to consider the UNDER in this one. The UNDER is 8-2 in the past 10 meetings between the Leafs and Bruins in Toronto, with an average combined score of 4.8 goals. The UNDER is also 5-0 in Boston’s last five overall, with an average combined score of 3.4 goals.
Andersen to start in net for the Leafs
Frederik Andersen is listed as the probable starter for the Leafs in tonight's game. Andersen (12-7-0, 2.24 goals-against average, .931 save percentage) surrendered four goals on 24 shots in Toronto's 4-2 triumph over Columbus on Friday. Andersen has dropped two games in a row - his longest losing streak of the season.
Jaroslav Halak is slated to counter in between the pipes for the Bruins. Halak (8-2-2, 1.98 GAA, .939 SV%) allowed one goal on 37 shots in the Bruins' win over the Penguins on Friday and has rattled off two consecutive victories while turning aside 68 of 70 shots and is 4-2-0 with a 2.45 GAA and .931 SV% in November.
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