NHL Odds: Bruins Host Leafs in First Round Opener

The Boston Bruins just missed out on the top seed in the Eastern Conference – and they could end up paying for it. Boston will face the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs, starting this Thursday at the Garden. NBCSN has the coverage at 7 PM ET; the B’s have opened as –155 home favorites for Game 1, or –1.5 (+190) on the puck line.


The Bruins (50-20-12) were on fire during the second half of the regular season, vaulting themselves into second place on the Stanley Cup futures market at +550. However, by losing their last game and finishing one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning in the East, Boston wound up playing the Leafs (+1100) instead of a Wild Card team. Toronto finished the regular season with a goal differential of plus-45, fifth overall in the NHL. The Bruins tied with the Nashville Predators for third at plus-56.
Toronto (49-26-7) also goes into this series with a distinct health advantage. Everyone who started the regular season for the Leafs is available for the playoffs, while the B’s have five players on the injured list – although LW Rick Nash (concussion) is expected to play Thursday.

NHL Odds: Bruins Draw Leafs in Difficult Opening Round

After losing the last game of the regular season, the Boston Bruins (50-20-12) find themselves in a tough first-round matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs (49-26-7). Game I is Thursday at 7 PM ET on NBCSN, with Boston pegged as a –155 home favorite.

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Boston would have faced an easier opponent had they won Sunday’s finale against the Florida Panthers; instead, they finished the regular season one point behind Tampa Bay for first in the Eastern Conference. The B’s also have several injured players, but LW Rick Nash (concussion) is expected to play Thursday after missing the last dozen games.