The Toronto Maple Leafs attempt to stave off elimination in Game 5 against the Boston Bruins.

The pregame narrative: Toronto embarrassingly lost, 3-1, to Boston in Game 4 and now has its back firmly against the wall. A loss will send the Maple Leafs packing without a playoff series win for the 18th time in 19 seasons. A victory, however, will spur a Game 6 back at Scotiabank Arena.

Check out our Maple Leafs vs. Bruins odds for Game 5 below.

Maple Leafs vs. Bruins odds

There aren't many positives for Toronto to point at with its season on the line.

The list of issues surrounding the Maple Leafs is long, starting with their top talents. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares have suited up in every game of the series and the trio has six total points for their efforts.

William Nylander returned in Game 4 and didn't make much of an impact. He finished with zero points and took a penalty while playing over 22 minutes.

The collective offensive struggles of the group are best exemplified on the man advantage. Toronto has the second-worst power-play percentage of any team in the playoffs (7.1%), going 1-for-14 on the PP.

Jeremy Swayman has been an unsolvable problem, too, allowing just eight goals in six games against Toronto.

Nylander's health was a focal point of the series but now those concerns have shifted to Matthews, who exited Game 4 due to an illness.

Maple Leafs Game 5 player props

The Maple Leafs will only go as far as Matthews takes them.

His illness impacted his play in Game 4, but Matthews' recent playoff results are equally problematic. The sniper only has one goal in his last nine playoff games dating back to the second round of last year's postseason.

Marner has been a tough watch for most of this series.

The speedy winger only has two points through four games but did finish strong with a pretty goal in Game 4. Maybe something clicked for Marner, who has quickly become the team's newest scapegoat.

Expectations should've been tempered for Nylander in his first game back.

But whatever was plaguing him earlier in the series seems to be in the past. He logged 22:24 in ice time in Game 4, a clear sign that he's good to go.

Then there's the captain.

Tavares has been flat for most of this series. He has one goal and has been a complete non-factor in most outings.

Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi are other contributors who have stepped up at certain points.

Bertuzzi is tied for the team lead in points with three. He's notched one in each of his last three outings.

Domi is also tied with Bertuzzi and Matthews for the team lead in points. He was held off the score sheet in Game 4, however, with Toronto only scoring one goal in the contest.

Bruins Game 5 player props

Boston's top players, however, have risen to the occasion.

Brad Marchand has led by example for the Bruins through four games. He paces the series with eight points and took over both games in Toronto, scoring the game-winning goal in each contest.

David Pastrnak has quietly put together a productive series.

He has two goals and a point in all four games. He's tickled twine in four of eight meetings against the Maple Leafs this season.

Jake DeBrusk is once again putting on a show against Toronto.

He's second on Boston in points (five) and tied with Marchand for first in goals (three).