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Murph’s Lock April 14: Game 3: Boston Bruins @ Toronto Maple Leafs (7 PM ET, NBCSN)
In Game 1, the Boston Bruins tried to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Leafs’ speed game and Toronto not only beat them there, but they beat the Bruins at their game, which is a combo of skill and brute physical force. The result was a 4-1 Leafs win and a 1-0 series lead that they looked to make 2-0 in Game 2. The Bruins, however, learned their lesson and that was that they needed to simply be themselves to beat the highly skilled and fast Maple Leafs. Setting a physical tempo from the get-go, the Bruins outmuscled the Leafs and also got under their skin, forcing them – specifically Nazem Kadri – to lose their cool in a 4-1 loss of their own. Now the series heads back to Toronto, and as the Leafs did in the first game in Boston, the Bruins will win the first game in Toronto.
Even as a third line center, Kadri doing what he did and putting himself first when he cross-checked Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk in the face, put the Leafs in a bad position and lost their advantage up the middle. That will be huge going forward unless William Nylander, now playing in Kadri’s spot, finally recovers from the holdout that saw him miss half the season. That edge plus a renewed physical game will once again help the Bruins win as they take a 2-1 series lead.
Pick: Bruins in Regulation (+180)
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Here’s my other Stanley Cup playoffs opening night picks and series picks for each:
Game 3: Washington Capitals @ Carolina Hurricanes (7 PM ET, CNBC)
Pick: Capitals in Regulation (+180)
Game 3: Nashville Predators @ Dallas Stars (9:30 PM ET, NBCSN)
Pick: Predators (+107)
Game 3: Calgary Flames @ Colorado Avalanche (10 PM ET, CNBC)
Pick: Avalanche (+104)
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