by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Where to watch: TVAS, SN, NESN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Bruins -120, Maple Leafs +100
FanDuel: Bruins -130, Maple Leafs +108
BetMGM: Bruins -120, Maple Leafs +100
Caesars: Bruins -125, Maple Leafs +105
Season record
Bruins: 38-7-5
Maple Leafs: 31-12-8
We’ve hit the halfway mark in the NHL season. Yes, you read that right. We’re really hit that halfway mark that quickly. If you blinked, you probably missed a lot of good things happen in the hockey world. And with football about to be out of the way, look for our champion handicappers to get back on the rink. Oskeim Sports is on a 13-5-0 run in the NHL over the last 30 days, as is Will Rogers. Sean Murphy has also cashed in with a 16-10-0 run in the last month. Make sure you’re following our champion handicappers at bigal.com to get on this winning action!
Bruins - Maple Leafs preview, prediction and analysis
Recent results
Bruins: lost 4-1 at Hurricanes
Maple Leafs: won 5-1 vs. Capitals
The Boston Bruins will be playing the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, February 1 in Toronto.
The Boston Bruins lost against the Carolina Hurricanes last Sunday, January 29 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina with a score of 4-1. The Boston Bruins currently rank 1st in the Atlantic Division.
Taylor Hall scored, and Linus Ullmark made 32 saves for the Bruins (38-7-5), who have lost a season-long three straight games.
Boston was coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
"I think it was their work ethic and how hard they were to play against that led to us being tired, because we didn't have the puck a lot," Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. "We were chasing it a lot because they checked us really well, and then they protected it well in the offensive zone."
The Hurricanes second shot, Paul Stastny made it 2-0 with a power-play goal at 12:05 of the second period. He scored with a backhand from near the right post after Martin Necas' shot from the top of the left circle caromed to him off the end boards.
"I overplayed the shot on that one," Ullmark said. "I thought it was going to pop up on the same side. [Stastny] made a good shot, right in between the gloves.
"On a back to back like this, you've got to rely on your goaltender to make enough saves. Unfortunately, I didn't do that today."
The Hurricanes finished the game 1-for-4 on the power play. The Bruins were 0-for-6.
"We can't say we liked what we saw," Montgomery said. "We didn't generate chances."
Hall cut the Hurricanes lead to 3-1 at 3:22 with a deflection of Pavel Zacha's shot, but Staal scored a short-handed empty-net goal at 15:40 for the 4-1 final.
The Boston Bruins have won six of their last 10 games.
The Toronto Maple Leafs won against the Washington Capitals last Sunday, January 29 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto with a score of [score]. The Toronto Maple Leafs currently rank 2nd in the Atlantic Division.
John Tavares had two assists for Toronto in his 1,000th NHL game. Tavares was honored before the game in a ceremony at center ice that included his parents, wife, and two sons.
"It was something I tried to obviously be aware of, but just tried to be where my feet were all day long and stick to the preparation with some added bonus with the ceremony with my family out on the ice, which was really special," Tavares said. "Just tried to get into the game and keep it simple early and get myself moving. Tried to execute and keep the game simple in front of me and just build from there, but overall, it was a great night from the group."
Michael Bunting had a goal and an assist, and Ilya Samsonov made 23 saves for the Maple Leafs (31-12-8), who are 3-1-0 on a five game homestand that will conclude on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins.
"We play today more for Johnny, yeah," Samsonov said. "A thousand games, this is amazing. ... It's unbelievable, we're so happy for him, and it was a really nice win against my ex-team. I enjoy it."
Toronto was coming off a 6-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Friday.
"It was good, we wanted to respond," Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said. "We weren't very proud of ourselves when we were leaving here after that game against Ottawa. It was a good day of practice yesterday, a good day with our Easter Seals skate, and then to come out and perform well, that was good."
Morgan Rielly put Toronto ahead 2-1 at 7:00 when he collected a loose puck in the slot after Bunting put it in front from behind the net. It was Rielly's first goal this season (36th game).
"Just relief. It felt good," Rielly said.
Tavares said Rielly had not let the goal drought affect his demeanor around the team.
"I don't know if I've ever played with a better professional than Morgan," Tavares said. "The way he carries himself, you'd never know (he hadn't scored). I think he is a world-class player, person and leader, and when the puck hasn't been going in, it's never easy especially between the ears. ... You don't see him hanging his head or sinking his shoulders."
The Toronto Maple Leafs have won six of their last 10 games.
Prediction
The Maple Leafs found a way to win without Auston Matthews. Do it again, it might be something. Maple Leafs 3, Bruins 2
The Boston Bruins will be playing the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, February 1 in Toronto.
The Boston Bruins lost against the Carolina Hurricanes last Sunday, January 29 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina with a score of 4-1. The Boston Bruins currently rank 1st in the Atlantic Division.
Taylor Hall scored, and Linus Ullmark made 32 saves for the Bruins (38-7-5), who have lost a season-long three straight games.
Boston was coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
"I think it was their work ethic and how hard they were to play against that led to us being tired, because we didn't have the puck a lot," Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. "We were chasing it a lot because they checked us really well, and then they protected it well in the offensive zone."
The Hurricanes second shot, Paul Stastny made it 2-0 with a power-play goal at 12:05 of the second period. He scored with a backhand from near the right post after Martin Necas' shot from the top of the left circle caromed to him off the end boards.
"I overplayed the shot on that one," Ullmark said. "I thought it was going to pop up on the same side. [Stastny] made a good shot, right in between the gloves.
"On a back to back like this, you've got to rely on your goaltender to make enough saves. Unfortunately, I didn't do that today."
The Hurricanes finished the game 1-for-4 on the power play. The Bruins were 0-for-6.
"We can't say we liked what we saw," Montgomery said. "We didn't generate chances."
Hall cut the Hurricanes lead to 3-1 at 3:22 with a deflection of Pavel Zacha's shot, but Staal scored a short-handed empty-net goal at 15:40 for the 4-1 final.
The Boston Bruins have won six of their last 10 games.
The Toronto Maple Leafs won against the Washington Capitals last Sunday, January 29 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto with a score of [score]. The Toronto Maple Leafs currently rank 2nd in the Atlantic Division.
John Tavares had two assists for Toronto in his 1,000th NHL game. Tavares was honored before the game in a ceremony at center ice that included his parents, wife, and two sons.
"It was something I tried to obviously be aware of, but just tried to be where my feet were all day long and stick to the preparation with some added bonus with the ceremony with my family out on the ice, which was really special," Tavares said. "Just tried to get into the game and keep it simple early and get myself moving. Tried to execute and keep the game simple in front of me and just build from there, but overall, it was a great night from the group."
Michael Bunting had a goal and an assist, and Ilya Samsonov made 23 saves for the Maple Leafs (31-12-8), who are 3-1-0 on a five game homestand that will conclude on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins.
"We play today more for Johnny, yeah," Samsonov said. "A thousand games, this is amazing. ... It's unbelievable, we're so happy for him, and it was a really nice win against my ex-team. I enjoy it."
Toronto was coming off a 6-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Friday.
"It was good, we wanted to respond," Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said. "We weren't very proud of ourselves when we were leaving here after that game against Ottawa. It was a good day of practice yesterday, a good day with our Easter Seals skate, and then to come out and perform well, that was good."
Morgan Rielly put Toronto ahead 2-1 at 7:00 when he collected a loose puck in the slot after Bunting put it in front from behind the net. It was Rielly's first goal this season (36th game).
"Just relief. It felt good," Rielly said.
Tavares said Rielly had not let the goal drought affect his demeanor around the team.
"I don't know if I've ever played with a better professional than Morgan," Tavares said. "The way he carries himself, you'd never know (he hadn't scored). I think he is a world-class player, person and leader, and when the puck hasn't been going in, it's never easy especially between the ears. ... You don't see him hanging his head or sinking his shoulders."
The Toronto Maple Leafs have won six of their last 10 games.
Prediction
The Maple Leafs found a way to win without Auston Matthews. Do it again, it might be something. Maple Leafs 3, Bruins 2
Betting trends
Bruins are 27-14 off a road loss the last 3 seasons.
Bruins are 9-2 off a loss this season.
Maple Leafs are 10-3 revenging a road loss this season.
Projected lines
Bruins:
Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- Taylor Hall
Pavel Zacha -- David Krejci -- David Pastrnak
Trent Frederic -- Charlie Coyle -- Craig Smith
Nick Foligno -- Marc McLaughlin -- A.J. Greer
Matt Grzelcyk -- Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm -- Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort -- Connor Clifton
Linus Ullmark
Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- Taylor Hall
Pavel Zacha -- David Krejci -- David Pastrnak
Trent Frederic -- Charlie Coyle -- Craig Smith
Nick Foligno -- Marc McLaughlin -- A.J. Greer
Matt Grzelcyk -- Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm -- Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort -- Connor Clifton
Linus Ullmark
Maple Leafs:
Michael Bunting -- John Tavares -- Mitchell Marner
Calle Jarnkrok -- Alexander Kerfoot -- William Nylander
Pierre Engvall -- David Kampf -- Joey Anderson
Zach Aston-Reese -- Pontus Holmberg -- Wayne Simmonds
Morgan Rielly -- TJ Brodie
Mark Giordano -- Justin Holl
Rasmus Sandin -- Timothy Liljegren
Ilya Samsonov
Michael Bunting -- John Tavares -- Mitchell Marner
Calle Jarnkrok -- Alexander Kerfoot -- William Nylander
Pierre Engvall -- David Kampf -- Joey Anderson
Zach Aston-Reese -- Pontus Holmberg -- Wayne Simmonds
Morgan Rielly -- TJ Brodie
Mark Giordano -- Justin Holl
Rasmus Sandin -- Timothy Liljegren
Ilya Samsonov
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert hockey picks today. And if you enjoyed this Boston Bruins - Toronto Maple Leafs prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NHL projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
