In this article we will formulate a Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, April 27th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the prediction for game four in this series.
Can Toronto Bounce Back?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are down two games to one in this series and this is just about a must win game, as they don’t want to go to Boston down 3-1. Toronto won game two in Boston by a score of 3-2, which tied the series at one, but they lost 4-2 in game three. Toronto tied the game two in the third period, but allowed the go ahead goal just 28 seconds later. Toronto recorded 30 shots on goal and went 0-5 on the power play in game three. The Maple Leafs have played decently well in this series, but they need to find more offense.
Toronto has lost six of their last seven games, which includes four straight losses to Tampa Bay, Florida, Detroit, and New Jersey to end the regular season. The Maple Leafs are scoring 2.00 goals per game, while going 9.1% on the power play and 50% on the penalty kill. Toronto’s special teams have been very poor in the first three games and they need to clean it up. Auston Matthews and Max Domi have led Toronto with three points in the series.
Boston Looks to Go Up 3-1
The Boston Bruins will look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead with a win here, after they won games one and three by scores of 4-2 and 5-1. Boston dominated game one at home, but games two and three have been much closer. The Bruins got three third period goals from DeBrusk and Marchand (2) to pull away for the 4-2 win. Boston recorded 34 shots on goal and went 2-3 on the power play in game three.
Boston also struggled to finish the regular season, as they lost three of their last four games, but that hasn’t stopped them in this series. The Bruins are scoring 3.67 goals per game, while going 50% on the power play and 90.9% on the penalty kill. Brad Marchand has led Boston with two goals, four assists, and 12 shots on goal in this series. Jake DeBrusk has added three goals, two assists, and seven shots on goal.
Starting Goalies
The projected starting goalie for Toronto is Ilya Samsonov, who has a 3.05 goals against average and an .895 save percentage. Samsonov has been up and down this season, and he definitely leaves a lot to be desired in net for Toronto. The projected starting goalie for Boston is Jeremy Swayman, who is 2-0-0 with a 1.51 goals against average and a .955 save percentage. The Bruins could go with Linus Ullmark, as they have said they are going to alternate, but Swayman has been GREAT in his first two starts.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins Prediction
Boston comes into this game with plenty of momentum, as they are looking to take a 3-1 series lead back to Boston. The Maple Leafs were one of the higher scoring teams in the NHL this season, but they have not found their offense in this series. Toronto needs to improve their power play and penalty kill, or they are not going to win this game. Boston definitely has the advantage with either goalie they decide to start, but I think Toronto is going to come out strong and I expect them to score four goals here. My Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins prediction is a Maple Leafs win.