Total of the Week NHL 10*
(NHL) Toronto vs. Tampa Bay, 04/29/2023 7:00 PM, Score: 2 - 1
Total: 6.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Win
#11/12 ASA TOP PLAY ON 10* UNDER 6.5 Goals - Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning, Saturday at 7 PM ET - The Maple Leafs have lost 10 straight times when they have a chance to eliminate an opponent in the post-season.  The run continued now in this series with the Game 5 loss to the Lightning which has extended this series to Game 6 down in Tampa Bay.  However, though that may seem like it would warrant a play on the Bolts here, we like the total so much more.  In fact, we love this total.  That's because this season's Toronto team was different.  They won a lot of tight low-scoring games in the regular season.  As for this veteran Lighting team with multiple championships, they certainly know plenty about winning tight low-scoring games.  So this one absolutely has the look and feel of a tight low-scoring game.  Keep in mind that Game 5 was the first potential elimination game in this series and it was just a 2-1 game in the 3rd period before a Leafs player bumped into his own netminder and that led to the Lightning goal that gave them a 3-1 lead.  Then, if not for an empty netter, the game would have ended at a 3-2 final.  Of course the 4-2 final we saw Thursday suits our purposes here just fine but the point is that the game could have easily been a 2-1 or 3-2 type final and we are looking for a real grinder here.  If Tampa Bay was able to get the kind of game they wanted in Toronto's barn in Game 5 you know they certainly are going to be able to the same down in their own arena tonight.  That said, this will be a game all about protecting leads and playing a safe and measured game.  It is an elimination game and we saw a real change in the way Game 5 flowed compared to the earlier games in the series.  The Lightning eliminated Toronto from the post-season last year so they know how to slow them down and create the game flow they want.  That is not to say that it is easy but this Lightning team has proven more than capable on more than one occasion.  Tampa is so well coached too.  Also, the Maple Leafs are playing with so much pressure to end their playoff series' losing streak.  They'll be squeezing the sticks a little too tight again tonight as a result and this one should be quite the low-scoring battle.  Because of the current trending of this series, prior to Game 5, the number is just too big here and so we love the value with the total of 6.5 set on this game as that is also based on long-term reputation rather than the current way these teams are playing!  Under is our play here.