Bruins Underdogs in Bid to Claim Third Straight Regular Season Win Over Maple Leafs

• Boston Bruins arrive in Toronto as +105 underdogs after earning points in six of their first seven games
• David Pastrnak has fueled the Bruins offense, potting a team-leading eight goals and five assists
• The Maple Leafs are -120 favorites, but have earned wins in just four of 12 regular-season home dates

The Boston Bruins will be aiming to extend their recent domination of the Toronto Maple Leafs when they visit their Original Six rivals on Saturday as +105 underdogs.

Bruins vs Maple Leafs Odds

Odds taken 10/19/19.

Bruins Steadily Picking Up Points

The Bruins travel to Toronto after falling 4-3 to the defending Atlantic Division champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, but have earned at least a point in six of seven outings this season going into Saturday night’s Bruins vs Maple Leafs matchup at Scotiabank Arena.

Brayden Point talks about his goal to tie the game, the @TBLightning competing against Boston, and how they caused the Bruins problems in the 1st period. #GoBolts

Keep up with all the Lightning action on FOX Sports Sun or on FOX Sports Go here: https://t.co/3jYI5u3cRF pic.twitter.com/zTTaLWTmaX

— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) October 17, 2019

The club played steady defense during a four-game road trip to open the schedule, surrendering just two goals per game while earning three victories. The Bruins also picked up wins by multi-goal margins in two of three dates on their first home stand of the season.

Pastrnak, Marchand Fueling Bruins Attack

Secondary scoring has emerged as a massive concern for Boston. The Bruins rank a distant 22nd in team scoring after potting just 19 goals through seven outings, with the duo of David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand accounting for 12 of those markers.

In addition, just 11 of the club’s 19 goals on the season have come in five-on-five situations. However, Pastrnak racked up five goals and seven total points in five regular-season and playoff visits to Toronto last season, and has racked up seven points in impressive performances over the past two games.

Here’s a positive:
David Pastrnak is averaging a hat trick over the last two games.

That’s fantastic!

Here’s a negative:
However.. the rest of the team is averaging half a goal.

Not great!

— x – Alex (@bigbadbruins73) October 18, 2019

The Bruins have posted wins in eight of 12 meetings with the Maple Leafs, including victories in three of their past four visits to Scotiabank Arena.

The two Bruins stars, along with regular linemate Patrice Bergeron, have been largely responsible for Boston’s recent domination of the Maple Leafs. Overall, the Bruins have posted wins in eight of 12 meetings with the Maple Leafs, including victories in three of their past four visits to Scotiabank Arena. The memory of last spring’s first-round playoff matchup also remains fresh for both clubs.

The Bruins overcame a 3-2 series deficit to knock off Toronto with a Game 7 win for the third time in as many postseason meetings. That series featured a pair of decisive Bruins victories by two-goal margins in Toronto, followed by a series-clinching 5-1 rout in Boston.

Inconsistent Leafs Pegged as Slim Chalk

The Maple Leafs get set to take on Boston perched as narrow -120 favorites on the Bruins vs Maple Leafs odds. Toronto has struggled with inconsistency in the early going of the new campaign, which continued with a 4-3 loss in Washington last time out on Wednesday night.

What went wrong for the Leafs in the loss to the Capitals? @MarkHMasters joins #JayAndDan to discuss. pic.twitter.com/7RNwfZAqsy

— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) October 17, 2019

The club has taken home decisive wins in four of eight outings to date, claiming victory by two or more goals in each of those contests. However, those wins have come against largely inferior opposition, including Ottawa, Columbus, Detroit, and Minnesota. Things have not gone as well against tougher foes, or in recent regular-season contests on home ice.

Last Season’s Home Ice Struggles Continue

In addition to this week’s loss to the Capitals, the Maple Leafs have been blown out by the Lightning and dropped one-goal decisions to St. Louis and Montreal, all on home ice. Those home struggles extend a trend of futility dating back to last season that has seen Toronto go 4-6-2 with no consecutive victories in 12 regular-season home games since early March.

Tavares Injury an Opportunity for Matthews

Further complicating matters for the Maple Leafs is the loss of John Tavares to a hand injury that is expected to sideline him for at least two weeks. Announced as the Maple Leafs new captain on opening night, Tavares had been showing signs of ramping up his play with goals in three of four outings prior to his injury.

Off the top of the show today, @HayesTSN on why he believes John Tavares’ injury could be a blessing in disguise for the Leafs pic.twitter.com/XdpMgADfBx

— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) October 17, 2019

With Tavares sidelined, the responsibility to spark the Maple Leafs offense lies with Auston Matthews. The 22-year-old has cooled off since opening the season with five goals in three games, but emerged a bigger producer late in last spring’s playoff clash with the Bruins, potting five goals and an assist over the final five games of the series.

Picks: Bruins to win (+105), Under 6.5 (-120)