Boston vs Toronto Prediction 30 April 2024

On May 1st, the fifth game of the Stanley Cup playoffs ⅛ final series between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs will take place. It could also be the last one, as the hosts are leading with a score of 3-1. Will the "bears" finish what they started on the ice of their home arena, TD Garden?

Boston unexpectedly stumbled in the second game of the series, but the away games turned out to be successful for Jim Montgomery's team. They secured two wins and are now a step away from advancing to the second round. The fate of the previous meeting was decided by the "bears" within 40 minutes, scoring three unanswered goals, after which they confidently led the game to victory.

As for Toronto, the team looked frankly bad in the fourth game of the series. There was a sense of desperation in the "leafs'" actions. Samsonov showed an uncertain game and was replaced after the second period, while Matthews did not take to the ice in the third period due to health issues. Coming back from 0-3 without the lead attacker is almost an impossible task.

Projected lineups:

Boston: Swayman - Lorei, McAvoy - DeBrusk, Zaha, Heinen

Toronto: Samsonov - Lyubushkin, Brodie - Marner, Matthews, Bertuzzi

The hosts will be without Brazo, Poitras, and Carlo – not the most significant losses. The visitors have been unable to count on Klingberg for a long time. The participation of Liljegren and McMann in the match is also in question.

Boston has not won the third period in 8 out of their last 9 games, while Toronto, on the contrary, has not lost in 13 out of 14. Trusting the statistics, we'll bet that the "leafs" will not lose in the final 20 minutes.