Odds Favor Leafs-Bruins First-Round Series Being Tied After Game 4

• Boston has a dominant first line with David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron
• Toronto has added two big pieces in John Tavares and Jake Muzzin to counter teams like Boston
• Is adding Tavares enough to push the Leafs over the top against the Bruins?

The 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs start this week and one series to watch will be the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. Leafs’ fans remember 2013 well when the Bruins upset Toronto in Game 7 in overtime.

Let’s take a look at the odds for the series result for the Leafs versus Bruins after both Game 3 and 4.

Series Result After Game 3

Odds taken on 04/09/19.

2018 saw the Leafs lose 4-3 to Boston. These teams have met several times in the playoffs with the Bruins currently holding the longest playoff hex over Toronto — five series wins going back to 1969.

With the signing of John Tavares and the addition of Jake Muzzin among others, are the Leafs’ fortunes going to change in 2019?

Series Result After Game 4

Leafs Offense Big Key to Playoff Success

Tavares and Muzzin should make a difference for the Leafs against the Bruins this year. Toronto’s explosive offense is well-known to a lot of people and they will look to goal scoring as a way to go far in the playoffs.

To the Bruins’ defense and physical play, they offer the opposite, a high-octane offense with an improved defense from 2018.

"I think with our ability to create opportunities and be able to use time and space, I think that’s the biggest thing. You have to go out there and earn every inch, every foot of ice you can get."@91Tavares on crafting chances in the upcoming series. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/go0gTo6cXI

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 8, 2019

The Leafs roll not one or two, but three good lines with Tavares on the top line with Mitchell Marner and Zach Hyman.

Followed by Auston Matthews between Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen on the second and Nazem Kadri, Patrick Marleau and William Nylander on line three.

https://twitter.com/mapleleaf_fanly/status/1113994836745555968

Their goaltending is in good hands with Frederik Andersen, although he did not play well against Boston last year. He has to be better this post-season.

Breaking Down the Big Bad Bruins

Boston has a great first line with David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. They are also tough defensively and have a physical presense that can intimidate teams.

The Bruins second line of Jake DeBrusk, David Krejci and Chris Wagner is a good one as well. After that their depth drops off at the forward position.

🎥 #NHLBruins head coach Bruce Cassidy chats about the game plan, the injured guys and the possible lineup for the upcoming series against the Maple Leafs: pic.twitter.com/Kffw4DOLgD

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 8, 2019

Their defense isn’t what it used to be from the glory years of 2011 and 2013, though. It often works against them as they get caught against teams with lots of speed like Toronto. Their coverage is poor at times as well.

#NHLBruins practice lines:

Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
DeBrusk – Krejci – Kuhlman
Johansson – Coyle – Heinen
Nordstrom – Acciari – Wagner
Backes

Chara – McAvoy
Krug – Carlo
Grzelcyk – Kampfer/Clifton

Rask
Halak

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 8, 2019

Tuukka Raask is a proven playoff goaltender who is backed up by Jaroslav Halak, another playoff hero. They’ll have to be sharp against the Leafs.

Bet on a 2-2 series after four games between the Leafs versus Bruins given the way these teams match up. The longer the series goes the odds do favor Boston based on their style of play being suited to the playoffs.