Panthers vs Maple Leafs Predictions

[SBR Andy]

The Florida Panthers square off against the Toronto Maple Leafs in a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

Series Odds via DraftKings: Panthers -170 / Maple Leafs +145

Can the Leafs finally get the monkey off their back and knock off Florida or are the Panthers poised for another Cup run? Share your series and game predictions in this thread!

[slewfan]

One of Canada's 3 representatives this year in second round. Although WinniethePeg is not there yet. So maybe only 2 reps.

I'll take Florida in this series vs the Maplelaughs. Even though I get the feeling that the Canadian teams are playing with "hate for America" as their mantra.

The overs have been spectacular in this years playoffs. Anyone have a theory on why this is happening.

[takethepnts]

Leafs knock out a 2nd Tkachuk brother and get revenge for last season . Let's go T.O . LEAFS in 7 , on our way to Stanley Cup Heaven ! Lol

Don't bet with your heart they say? But law of averages . Last time the Leafs won the cup in 1967 ... two original 6 teams missed the playoffs - Boston and Detroit.

This year low and behold - No Bruins or Red Wings in the playoffs.

Go Laughs ( cough cough) - GO LEAFS GO!!!

[jim]

Leafs knock out a 2nd Tkachuk brother and get revenge for last season . Let's go T.O . LEAFS in 7 , on our way to Stanley Cup Heaven ! Lol

Don't bet with your heart they say? But law of averages . Last time the Leafs won the cup in 1967 ... two original 6 teams missed the playoffs - Boston and Detroit.

This year low and behold - No Bruins or Red Wings in the playoffs.

Go Laughs ( cough cough) - GO LEAFS GO!!!

another tidbit - nickname of captain George Armstrong and coach Berube = ''Chief''

[takethepnts]

another tidbit - nickname of captain George Armstrong and coach Berube = ''Chief''

Thank you sir. Great added info. We are destined to win this chip

[SBR Andy]

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 1 prediction from SBR's Gary Pearson:

Under 5.5 goals (-120 bet365)

"I have no doubt Anthony Stolarz will be focused and ready to shut the door against the defending champs.

The only way the Buds can upset the Cats is for their No. 1 goaltender to play almost unerring hockey throughout. One weak goal will be enough for a Panthers team with more experience and pedigree than Bo Nix at the collegiate level.

Stolarz allowed more than two goals in one of six first-round games. He's allowed three or more goals in just two of his previous 13 starts and is 11-2 in that timeframe. In the playoffs thus far, he has a 2.21 goals-against average.

Sergei Bobrovsky enjoyed a good first round, all things considered. He allowed two goals or fewer in three of five starts, including a shutout, against a Tampa Bay Lightning team with the most goals per game during the regular season.

Three of four regular-season meetings ended with five goals or fewer, with the lone exception pushing through the 5.5-goal barrier thanks to a Sam Bennett empty-netter.

The Under trend preceded the regular season, with four of five the last time these teams met in the playoffs hitting the Under. The anomaly had six goals, with Floria's fourth scored with under eight minutes to play.

All of those Unders occurred with a Maple Leafs team that was far inferior defensively to Berube's current version, which has allowed the fewest goals per 60 minutes 5-on-5 (1.48) thus far in the postseason.

With Aaron Ekblad's absence and the Maple Leafs' recent home-ice swagger, I also expect the Maple Leafs to snatch Game 1, 3-2."

[SBR Andy]

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 1 player prop picks from SBR's Gary Pearson:

Sam Bennett Over 0.5 points (+100 via DraftKings)

"Bennett was one of the Panthers' most effective players in the first round, making his presence felt physically and on the scoresheet. He scored at least one point in four of five games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, finishing the series with five.

The other reason to back him is his recent exploits against the Maple Leafs, against whom he's bagged a point in five straight regular-season games, amassing eight overall.

He had two points in Game 1 in the second round of the 2022-23 playoffs, the last time these teams met in the dance.

While we're at it, I'd also take Bennett to fire at least three shots on goal. He accomplished that feat in four of five games against the Maple Leafs in that same playoff series and hit the Over on the same ratio of games in the first round against the Lightning. Those odds can be found at a longer -135."


Bobby McMann Over 1.5 shots (-130 via bet365)

"McMann hit the Over in three of the last four games against the Ottawa Senators and had at least two shots against in two of his previous three meetings with the Cats. The Panthers were one of the best shot suppression teams on the road in the regular season, allowing the fourth-fewest (26.3).

With that in mind, a lower shot total is even more appealing. Game 1 feels like a contest fit for a role player of McMann's physical stature to bulldoze his way to cashing the Over."


John Tavares Over 2.5 shots (+100 via BetMGM)

"Tavares let me down in Game 6 against the Sens, failing to hit the Over for the second time in six opening-round contests. That's okay, though, as it was the first time this prop didn't cash in recent memory.

He's been a consistent producer and a profitable option. He's also been productive against the Cats, hitting the Over in six of 10 previous regular-season meetings and four of five games last time they squared off in the playoffs."


Matthew Tkachuk Over 0.5 assists (+130 via bet365)

"Tkachuk is at his irritating best against the Maple Leafs, and I can't see that changing for Game 1. He scored at least one helper in the last three regular-season meetings with Toronto and amassed four in the first two games of the 2022-23 second-round playoff series.

He's also used to hitting the Over on his shots prop against the Buds, but I'm going with the higher-value assists option."

[Mike Huntertz]

The Panthers are bullies and will push around the Laffs. If Toronto's power play is working the series could get interesting. Otherwise the Blue Bellies will get smacked around and lose in 6.
In the past when the going gets tough the Leafs run and hide. They are better this year but not quite there yet.

[SBR Andy]

The Leafs take Game 1 by a score of 5-4 but lose goalie Anthony Stolarz to injury.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Maple Leafs -125 / Panthers +105

[ByeShea]

Panthers +105

Free money.

[ProSportsEdge]

One of Canada's 3 representatives this year in second round. Although WinniethePeg is not there yet. So maybe only 2 reps.

I'll take Florida in this series vs the Maplelaughs. Even though I get the feeling that the Canadian teams are playing with "hate for America" as their mantra.

The overs have been spectacular in this years playoffs. Anyone have a theory on why this is happening.

Florida looks sharper, I’m with you there. And yeah, these overs have been crazy—no idea what’s going on with the defenses.

[SBR Andy]

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 2 prediction from SBR's Gary Pearson:

Panthers ML (-130 DraftKings)

"The Maple Leafs can't play much better than they did in the opening 40 minutes of Game 1, demonstrating the speed and ruthlessness of a Stanley Cup odds contender.

There was more to like than a five-star all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas. William Nylander scored two goals in the opening 12:52, making it four for him in the last two games.

Morgan Rielly scored his 14th postseason goal, a franchise record for Maple Leafs' defensemen, and the team's third near the end of the first.

Not only did it put the team up by two, but it was just the third time in the previous 16 meetings with the Panthers in which Toronto scored more than two goals.

And then there is Stolarz, who could have been on track for another two-goal or less performance.

Unfortunately, we'll never know, as the Buds' No. 1 left the game after vomiting into Toronto's bench. It had concussion symptoms written all over it. Joseph Woll stepped in, colder than a January blizzard in Toronto.

He allowed two goals on the first eight shots, providing the Panthers with oxygen - not only in the game but the series, too.

The Panthers scored three goals in the third period, making life about as uncomfortable for the home team as camping without facilities. Toronto also struggled to put the game away on the power play, finishing 0-for-5. That makes it 1-for-13 since Game 5 against the Ottawa Senators.

I expect the Panthers' gained momentum to extend into Game 2 regardless of who is between the pipes for the Maple Leafs.

Considering the gravity of Monday's sequence of events, I'd be surprised to see Stolarz start. Either way, I'm banking on the defending Stanley Cup champions showcasing their top-notch bounce-back prowess."

[SBR Andy]

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 2 player prop picks from SBR's Gary Pearson:

Brad Marchand Over 0.5 points (+130 via bet365)

"Marchand more than makes up for his lack of speed with top-notch hockey IQ and crafty positioning. I'm not touching his shot prop, as Marchand's release gets incrementally slower. However, there is heaps of value in backing Mighty Mouse, or the pestiferous vermin from a Maple Leafs' perspective, to notch at least one point.

Marchand has found his best form with the Panthers, which is unsurprising given his elite pedigree and playoff history. He has five points in the last three games, including two against Toronto in Game 1. Marchand also represents a recurring nightmare for the Buds, as he's scored at least one point in five of the last seven meetings.

He scored eight points in the first four games of last season's first-round series while still the Bruins' captain."


Sam Bennett Over 0.5 points (-110 via BetMGM)

"I'm sure Maple Leafs fans have a lot to say about Bennett. And I have an inkling much of it isn't appropriate for print. That elevated antipathy aside, Bennett is incredibly productive against the Buds. He has at least one point in six straight against Toronto, amassing nine points.

And he's been impactful thus far in the postseason, securing at least one point in five of six games. Bennett's shot prop is worth a look, too.

However, our best NHL betting sites increased the total from 2.5 to 3.5 shots. Finally, Bennett is the type of player who will feed off the Scotiabank Arena anger. It will only make him more aggressive and motivated, like creatine for a gym buff."


John Tavares Over 2.5 shots (-105 via DraftKings)

"Tavares continues to put money in the pocket of anyone who has tailed this pick. Tavares is dominant physically, a force to be reckoned with in front of the net. With at least three shots in five of seven games, Tavares has proven his ability to hit the Over consistently.

If he hits it again, I wouldn't be surprised to see oddsmakers increase the total to 3.5. He has at least three shots in 10 of the previous 14 playoff games, averaging 3.07 shots. He had four shots in Game 1 and seven shot attempts."

[ProSportsEdge]

One of Canada's 3 representatives this year in second round. Although WinniethePeg is not there yet. So maybe only 2 reps.

I'll take Florida in this series vs the Maplelaughs. Even though I get the feeling that the Canadian teams are playing with "hate for America" as their mantra.

The overs have been spectacular in this years playoffs. Anyone have a theory on why this is happening.

Florida looks like the tougher, deeper team—agree on that pick. As for the overs, seems like teams are trading chances more and tightening up less than usual. Goalie fatigue might be playing a role too.

[ByeShea]

Florida looks sharper, I’m with you there. And yeah, these overs have been crazy—no idea what’s going on with the defenses.

Do you think the sharps were on the EDM/LV under last night?

A guy at work not only bet the over 6.5 (@ $5k, I think) but he offered to buy Friday's lunch for anyone betting $100 or more on it if it didn't hit. For that reason alone, I wanted no part of the bet.

I don't know who or where he tapped into that info, but he was calling it bet of the year. Amazing.