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NHL Free Pick: Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Betting Lines & Preview

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Toronto Maple Leafs taking on the Boston Bruins December 31 at TD Garden. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

Bitter Atlantic Division rivals do battle on the last day of 2014 when the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs visit the underwhelming Boston Bruins.

Daily NHL Hockey Odds

Toronto (20-14-2-1) at Boston (19-15-1-2)
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Broadcast: TVA, SN, NESN
Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds: +1½ -205 +156
Bruins NHL Betting Odds: -1½ +175 -173
NHL Over/Under Betting Odds: 5½
***2014 NHL BONUSES***
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Click here to view today’s… NHL Matchup Angles | NHL Insider Gambling Preview

Boston is starting to come on a little bit after floundering the majority of the season with three wins in their last four games while the Leafs have dropped five of their last six games.

The Leafs currently sit just two points ahead of the Bruins in the Atlantic Division standings.

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For Leafs fans, the recent play of their team is eerily reminiscent of the form that the team displayed during their late season collapse last year. Lack of attention to detail, an inability to hold leads and a habit of giving up too many shots and too many scoring opportunities has the critics out in full force once again.

In Toronto’s last two games – both in Florida, they have held two goal leads only to cough them up and lose. The Leafs have allowed 24 goals in their last six games and have been outshot in each – they have surrendered an astounding 39 shots per game over that span.

Defensive responsibility is certainly lacking in Toronto – it’s a good thing for a solid offense.

The Leafs are averaging 2.97 goals per game – not too bad.

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It looks as though it will be up to the offense the rest of the way – the defense isn’t going to suddenly transform itself. James van Reimsdyk has been one of the most productive players in the game the last month – he has five points in his last three games, Phil Kessel has eight points in seven games and Joffrey Lupul has three points in his last two games.

Some secondary help would be nice however.

Despite scoring Monday night Mike Santorelli has two points in seven games, Cody Franson has one point in four games and David Booth is pointless in his last six games overall.

After a two game absence expect Jonathan Bernier to return to the Toronto net – he is 5-2-0 in his last seven starts with a 2.35 GAA and .941 save percentage despite facing an average of over 38 shots per game over that span. He is 2-3-0 with 3.83 GAA in six career starts against Boston – one of those wins coming earlier this year.

The Boston Bruins are finally starting to resemble the team that most thought would contend for the Eastern Conference crown this year. Last time out was arguably their most impressive win this year – a 5-2 triumph over Detroit – without Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic who sat out but could return to action Wednesday.

The offense has come alive for Boston – Carl Soderberg has seven points in the past six games, Loui Eriksson has eight points over that span after getting two assists Tuesday and Chris Kelly has eight points in the last seven games.

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If the top two scorers Bergeron and Lucic indeed return to action the Bruins should be in good shape against the defensively challenged Leafs.

Expect Tuukka Rask to be between the pipes looking for his fourth straight win. He, like the team is heating up but is still just 4-4-2 with a 3.00 GAA this month.

Rask is 10-3-0 with a 1.85 GAA in his career against Toronto but allowed four goals in the last meeting in just 24 minutes of play.

NHL Gambling Trends

• Over is 18-7-4 in TOR last 29 Wed. games.
• TOR are 7-3 in their last 10 vs. Atlantic.
• TOR are 17-36 in their last 53 road games.
• Over is 6-1-4 in BOS last 11 overall.
• BOS are 43-17 in their last 60 home games.
• TOR are 5-14 in the last 19 meetings in Boston.
• Over is 15-6-1 in the last 22 meetings in Boston.

Boston should win this game – Toronto is in some sort of funk! But there is little value in taking the Bruins on the Moneyline.

Defense has also been an issue for both clubs.

NHL Betting 4* Free Play

Instead take a look at the Over – 5 1/2 goals.

The Over – 5 1/2 goals

The Over is 15-6-1 in the last 22 meetings in Boston – these teams can and will score some goals.

CappersPicks.com NHL Betting and gambling site provides the BEST Online hockey predictions for you to bet on for the NHL hockey season! Stick with us all season long!

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.