Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/1/2023

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON

Where to watch: TVAS, SN, NESN

DraftKings: Bruins -120, Maple Leafs +100

FanDuel: Bruins -130, Maple Leafs +108

BetMGM: Bruins -120, Maple Leafs +100

Caesars: Bruins -125, Maple Leafs +105

Bruins: 38-7-5

Maple Leafs: 31-12-8

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

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.

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

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