Leafs vs Bruins Free Pick April 12, 2018 – Jesse Schule
Leafs vs Bruins Free Pick April 12, 2018
The Boston Bruins are just a slight favorite at home in Game 1 of the first round of the NHL Playoffs. Boston was the hottest team in the NHL through the second half of the season, and the Bruins are stacked with veteran talent and proven playoff performers. The Leafs won the season series, but the last time these two teams met in the post-season, the results were catastrophic for Toronto. The series went to seven games, and the Leafs appeared to have punched their ticket to the second round, leading by a score of 4-1 halfway through the third period in Game 7. Boston rallied, scoring twice in the final two minutes and went on to win by a score of 5-4 in overtime. The Bruins would go on to face Chicago in the Stanley Cup Finals, losing in six games. Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Zedno Chara and Tukka Rask were all part of that 2013 squad, giving the bruins a huge edge in experience. Boston also has the edge on special teams, ranking in the Top 5 in the league both on the power-play as well as the penalty kill. Tukka Rask was 21-6-3 with a 2.26 GAA at home during the regular season, and he has been historically dependable in the playoffs. I like Boston to win Game 1 on home ice.
Take BOS.
GL,
Jesse Schule