Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Saturday, April 21, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
Preview: Blue Jackets at Capitals
Gracenote
Apr 20, 2018
Alex Ovechkin thrilled Washington Capitals fans when his guarantee rang true of the Eastern Conference first-round series being even at two wins apiece against the Columbus Blue Jackets when it returns to the District of Columbia for Game 5 on Saturday afternoon. While Ovechkin altered the course of the series, the Capitals hope to change the narrative of the road team emerging victorious in all four contests thus far.
Washington's top line quieted Nationwide Arena in Thursday's 4-1 victory, with Evgeny Kuznetsov collecting a goal and three assists while Ovechkin notched his third straight multi-point performance by joining Tom Wilson in registering one of each to make good on his guarantee. "There was no other option," goaltender Braden Holtby said of the team's mindset to even the series. "Our goal is to win a Stanley Cup, and that's what we viewed as our best chance after losing the first two. We've been a confident group all year - I think that's been our strongest asset - so I don't think we've ever doubted ourselves." Now that doubt may shuffle over to Columbus, which saw its first series lead in franchise history erased on home ice after the team "laid an egg" in Game 4 -- in the estimation of coach John Tortorella. "It seems like the home rink isn't too kind right now in the series. Hopefully we can jump on them in their barn again," captain Nick Foligno said.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBC or NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet, TVAS
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS: Cam Atkinson and former Calder Trophy recipient Artemi Panarin saw their respective 12- and eight-game point streaks come to a halt on Thursday, with the latter looking out of sorts with two penalties after being whistled for just 26 penalty minutes in 81 contests this season. Boone Jenner scored his team's lone goal in Game 4, but the 24-year-old has lamented his team's slow starts after surrendering the first tally in each contest this series. "We want to score the first one, obviously," Jenner said. "It hasn't been like that, but I think our starts have been there. (On Thursday), I don't think it was. That first period, we didn't get much pressure on them and kind of played into their hands a little bit."
ABOUT THE CAPITALS: Defenseman John Carlson has continued his torrid pace following a career-best 68 points (15 goals, 53 assists) during the regular season with an NHL-high seven of his eight points coming on the power play. "He always raises his game in playoffs. ... Pressure doesn't affect him and that's one of his biggest assets and I think that's why we lean on him so heavy in playoffs," Holtby said of the 28-year-old, who is riding a six-game point streak (one goal, nine assists) and has logged 28:10 of ice time in the series. T.J. Oshie scored in the second period on Thursday to give Washington a power-play goal in each of its first four contests in the series and improve to 10-for-29 in the last seven games.
OVERTIME
1. Washington LW Andre Burakovsky will miss the remainder of this series after undergoing "minor surgery" for an upper-body injury sustained after a hit from Jenner in Game 2, coach Barry Trotz said.
2. Columbus C Alexander Wennberg (upper body) skated on Friday morning but is uncertain to play in Game 5.
3. Nine of the last 13 games in the all-time series between the two teams have been decided by a single goal.
PREDICTION: Capitals 3, Blue Jackets 2
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W/L Trends
Columbus
Blue Jackets are 5-0 in their last 5 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Blue Jackets are 10-2 in their last 12 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Blue Jackets are 8-2 in their last 10 road games.
Blue Jackets are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Blue Jackets are 11-3 in their last 14 vs. Eastern Conference.
Blue Jackets are 8-3 in their last 11 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Blue Jackets are 15-6 in their last 21 overall.
Blue Jackets are 39-96 in their last 135 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Blue Jackets are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Blue Jackets are 5-14 in their last 19 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Blue Jackets are 0-5 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Washington
Capitals are 6-2 in their last 8 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Capitals are 12-4 in their last 16 vs. Eastern Conference.
Capitals are 14-5 in their last 19 overall.
Capitals are 23-9 in their last 32 Saturday games.
Capitals are 5-2 in their last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Capitals are 71-29 in their last 100 games playing on 1 days rest.
Capitals are 90-38 in their last 128 home games.
Capitals are 74-32 in their last 106 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Capitals are 46-20 in their last 66 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Capitals are 9-4 in their last 13 games following a win.
Capitals are 49-24 in their last 73 vs. a team with a winning record.
OU Trends
Columbus
Over is 8-0 in Blue Jackets last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 5-1 in Blue Jackets last 6 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Blue Jackets last 6 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 8-2 in Blue Jackets last 10 overall.
Under is 8-2 in Blue Jackets last 10 following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Over is 16-5 in Blue Jackets last 21 road games.
Over is 6-2 in Blue Jackets last 8 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 5-2 in Blue Jackets last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Washington
Over is 4-0 in Capitals last 4 home games.
Over is 6-1 in Capitals last 7 Saturday games.
Under is 5-1-1 in Capitals last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Capitals last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 19-7-1 in Capitals last 27 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Capitals last 7 overall.
Over is 15-6-2 in Capitals last 23 games following a win.
Over is 5-2 in Capitals last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Head to Head
Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Washington.
Blue Jackets are 4-10 in the last 14 meetings in Washington.
Blue Jackets are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings.
Road team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Preview: Devils at Lightning
Gracenote
Apr 20, 2018
The Tampa Bay Lightning would like to match their defensive performance from last time out and close out the visiting New Jersey Devils when the teams meet for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round series Saturday afternoon. The Lightning held the Devils to a 5-on-3 power-play goal and limited the opportunities for Hart Trophy candidate Taylor Hall in a 3-1 victory Wednesday that gave them a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov recorded a pair of goals to go along with an assist Wednesday, pushing his point total to nine for the series, and the Lightning hope to continue getting major contributions from their top players to end the Devils’ season. “They’re going to put up a great fight,” Tampa Bay defenseman Dan Girardi said Friday. “We need to be ready for their intensity at the start. It’s not a wait and see game. We have to make sure we dictate the play the first five (minutes), get our crowd behind us and create some energy from it.” New Jersey needs to find a spark offensively as Hall (six) and rookie defenseman Will Butcher (three) are the only players with more than two points in the first four games, but the Devils have thrived in the underdog role this season and a road win Saturday would apply plenty of pressure. “I’ve got a lot of competitors in that room,” New Jersey coach John Hynes told the Star Ledger. “I got guys with a lot of pride, guys that have had that pushback all year long - guys that have been counted out and they always respond.”
TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBC or NBC Sports Network, TVA 2
ABOUT THE DEVILS: New Jersey has had plenty of chances on the power play, especially in the last two games, but is 3-for-18 with the man advantage in the series and two of their goals came with a 5-on-3 skater advantage. “Just couldn’t find some lanes. I think we were fighting it a little bit,” Devils center Travis Zajac told reporters after Game 4. “We’ll bounce back. We’ve got some good players on (the power play), and it will be a factor next game for us.” Defenseman Sami Vatanen, who averaged more than 23 minutes of ice time in the first three games, did not travel with the team after suffering an upper-body injury in Game 4 - but has not been ruled out for Saturday.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING: Kucherov also became a physical force in Wednesday’s win as his hit knocked Vatanen out of the game and he avoided a suspension when the league deemed the first contract was to the shoulder. “Kuch (Wednesday) flexed his muscles,” coach Jon Cooper told reporters. “... When you’re playing both sides of the puck, you’re contributing offensively, defensively, you’re physical, you’re engaged, it does nothing but lift our team.” Vezina Trophy finalist Andrei Vasilevskiy has been outstanding in the series, stopping 133 of the 142 shots he has faced for a .937 save percentage and 2.26 goals-against average.
OVERTIME
1. Hall was held to one shot on net in Game 4 after collecting 17 in the first three contests of the series and impressive rookie C Nico Hischier also had one.
2. Kucherov is slated to play his 50th playoff game Saturday and needs one point to tie Vincent Lecavalier (52) for second in franchise history for postseason scoring.
3. Tampa Bay RW Ryan Callahan (upper-body), who missed the last two contests, practiced fully Friday and is a game-time decision for Saturday.
PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Devils 1
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W/L Trends
New Jersey
Devils are 4-0 in their last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.
Devils are 6-2 in their last 8 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Devils are 6-2 in their last 8 Saturday games.
Devils are 2-5 in their last 7 road games.
Devils are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Devils are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.
Devils are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Tampa Bay
Lightning are 5-1 in their last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Lightning are 39-13 in their last 52 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Lightning are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Lightning are 11-4 in their last 15 vs. Metropolitan.
Lightning are 36-15 in their last 51 games playing on 2 days rest.
Lightning are 42-18 in their last 60 home games.
Lightning are 45-20 in their last 65 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Lightning are 36-17 in their last 53 vs. a team with a winning record.
Lightning are 65-31 in their last 96 overall.
Lightning are 35-17 in their last 52 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
OU Trends
New Jersey
Over is 5-0 in Devils last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 7-0 in Devils last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Devils last 7 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Devils last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Devils last 5 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Devils last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 4-1 in Devils last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 3-1-2 in Devils last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Tampa Bay
Over is 5-0-2 in Lightning last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
Over is 12-2 in Lightning last 14 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Lightning last 5 Saturday games.
Over is 21-6 in Lightning last 27 games following a win.
Over is 21-7-1 in Lightning last 29 vs. Metropolitan.
Over is 21-8-2 in Lightning last 31 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 10-4 in Lightning last 14 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 11-5-2 in Lightning last 18 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 30-14-2 in Lightning last 46 overall.
Head to Head
Over is 3-0-2 in the last 5 meetings in Tampa Bay.
Home team is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
Over is 5-2-1 in the last 8 meetings.
Devils are 1-6 in the last 7 meetings in Tampa Bay.
Preview: Maple Leafs at Bruins
Gracenote
Apr 20, 2018
The last time Original Six rivals Boston and Toronto met in the postseason, the Bruins needed a miraculous comeback in the final minutes of Game 7 before ousting the Maple Leafs in overtime. Five years later, Toronto is in position of needing a miracle comeback of its own, trailing the Eastern Conference best-of-seven series 3-1 heading into Saturday's Game 5 at Boston's TD Garden.
The Maple Leafs can look to the past for inspiration -- they also trailed the series 3-1 in 2013 before blowing a two-goal lead in the final 90 seconds of Game 7 -- but they are lamenting a missed opportunity in Thursday's 3-1 setback against a Bruins team missing its top-line center. "When (Patrice) Bergeron didn’t play tonight, you’re set up pretty good," Toronto coach Mike Babcock said. "You’ve got to find a way to win. This is in our building. You’ve got to win." Bergeron skated on his own Friday, which was called a "positive" by coach Bruce Cassidy, who said he will make a decision on the four-time Selke Trophy winner's status at Saturday's morning skate. Bergeron's line accounted for 20 points in the first two games at TD Garden as Boston steamrolled Toronto by a combined 12-4 margin.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS (Toronto)
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS: Toronto will receive a boost with the return of center Nazem Kadri, a 32-goal scorer during the regular season who received a three-game suspension for a dangerous hit on Boston's Tommy Wingels in the series opener. “It’s exciting to get back in,” Kadri said. “I’ve been champing at the bit the last couple of games here. It has been hard to watch knowing you could be out there trying to help and trying to make an impact. I’m just happy the time has come.” Kadri's return will mean a demotion for Tomas Plekanec, who scored the team's only goal Thursday -- his first since he was acquired from Montreal.
ABOUT THE BRUINS: Bergeron, who is up for his fifth Selke Trophy as the game's best defensive forward, collected five assists in the first two games, but with Riley Nash taking his place, Brad Marchand scored a goal and David Pastrnak continued his brilliant play with two assists to bump his series point total up to 11. Goaltender Tuukka Rask has been overshadowed by the offensive exploits through much of the series but he answered the bell in Game 4 by turning aside 31 of 32 shots in what Marchand termed a "phenomenal game. He’s one of the best goalies in the world and he gives us an opportunity to win every night.”
OVERTIME
1. Maple Leafs F Auston Matthews has been held off the scoresheet in three of the four games.
2. Marchand has four goals and 10 points in seven matchups versus Toronto this season.
3. Maple Leafs F Leo Komarov skated Thursday but has missed the past two games.
PREDICTION: Bruins 4, Maple Leafs 2
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W/L Trends
Toronto
Maple Leafs are 16-5 in their last 21 games playing on 1 days rest.
Maple Leafs are 8-3 in their last 11 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Maple Leafs are 3-8 in their last 11 road games.
Maple Leafs are 16-44 in their last 60 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Maple Leafs are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Maple Leafs are 1-6 in their last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Boston
Bruins are 21-5 in their last 26 home games.
Bruins are 24-8 in their last 32 games playing on 1 days rest.
Bruins are 21-8 in their last 29 vs. Atlantic.
Bruins are 25-10 in their last 35 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Bruins are 36-15 in their last 51 vs. Eastern Conference.
Bruins are 73-33 in their last 106 Saturday games.
Bruins are 26-12 in their last 38 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Bruins are 47-22 in their last 69 overall.
Bruins are 36-17 in their last 53 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Bruins are 3-7 in their last 10 games following a win.
OU Trends
Toronto
Over is 6-0-1 in Maple Leafs last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 9-1 in Maple Leafs last 10 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 9-1-1 in Maple Leafs last 11 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 7-1-1 in Maple Leafs last 9 road games.
Over is 14-3-1 in Maple Leafs last 18 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 13-3-1 in Maple Leafs last 17 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-1-2 in Maple Leafs last 7 vs. Atlantic.
Over is 18-7-3 in Maple Leafs last 28 Saturday games.
Over is 18-7-2 in Maple Leafs last 27 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 20-8-2 in Maple Leafs last 30 overall.
Boston
Over is 3-0-2 in Bruins last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-0-2 in Bruins last 6 games following a win.
Over is 4-0-4 in Bruins last 8 home games.
Over is 8-1-3 in Bruins last 12 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 3-1-2 in Bruins last 6 overall.
Over is 6-2-1 in Bruins last 9 Saturday games.
Over is 3-1-2 in Bruins last 6 vs. Atlantic.
Over is 3-1-2 in Bruins last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
Over is 11-4-2 in Bruins last 17 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Head to Head
Home team is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings.
NHL
Long Sheet
Saturday, April 21
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NEW JERSEY (45-32-0-9, 99 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (57-24-0-5, 119 pts.) - 4/21/2018, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 58-29 ATS (+97.1 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 227-233 ATS (+536.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 46-41 ATS (+91.4 Units) in all games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 14-9 ATS (+24.3 Units) on Saturday games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 10-4 ATS (+14.2 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
NEW JERSEY is 26-23 ATS (+52.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
NEW JERSEY is 8-5 ATS (+16.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 8-5 (+0.6 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 8-5-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.6 Units)
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TORONTO (50-29-0-7, 107 pts.) at BOSTON (53-21-0-12, 118 pts.) - 4/21/2018, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 273-234 ATS (-155.5 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
BOSTON is 24-27 ATS (-25.9 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 41-42 ATS (-7.8 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 9-8 (+2.7 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 9-8-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.5 Units)
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COLUMBUS (47-31-0-8, 102 pts.) at WASHINGTON (51-26-0-9, 111 pts.) - 4/21/2018, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 52-35 ATS (+87.0 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 14-4 ATS (+8.8 Units) on Saturday games this season.
WASHINGTON is 32-11 ATS (+11.7 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 28-17 ATS (+6.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
COLUMBUS is 16-7 ATS (+7.1 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game this season.
WASHINGTON is 7-12 ATS (-14.9 Units) in home games in April games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 11-6 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 11-6-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.4 Units)
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NHL
Saturday, April 21
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Trend Report
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New Jersey Devils
New Jersey is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
New Jersey is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games
New Jersey is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
New Jersey is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New Jersey's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Jersey's last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay
New Jersey is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
New Jersey is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Tampa Bay is 8-16 ATS in its last 24 games at home
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games when playing New Jersey
Tampa Bay is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Jersey
Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against New Jersey
Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Columbus is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games
Columbus is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Columbus's last 10 games
Columbus is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Columbus is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Columbus's last 5 games on the road
Columbus is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games when playing Washington
Columbus is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
Columbus is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington Capitals
Washington is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games
Washington is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Washington is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games at home
Washington is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Columbus
Washington is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus
Washington is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Toronto's last 24 games
Toronto is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto's last 9 games on the road
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Toronto is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing Boston
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Boston Bruins
Boston is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Boston is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games at home
Boston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Boston is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing Toronto
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