Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Prediction: Game 2 Odds & Expert Picks

Toronto got the better of Florida at home in Game 1 as we offer our Panthers vs. Maple Leafs prediction for Wednesday's Game 2 at Scotiabank Arena.

Gary Pearson

Last updated: May 6, 2025 5:07 PM EDT • 4 min read

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Prediction — Pictured: Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz reacts after being hit by Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett. Photo by John E. Sokolowski / Imagn.

Circumstances can change instantly during playoff hockey. Just ask the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche, and our Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 2 prediction and NHL picks focus on that reality.

We could be able to throw the Toronto Maple Leafs into the mix depending on what happens with Anthony Stolarz, who was injured in the second period of Game 1 after a puck and then Sam Bennett's forearm hit him in the head.

The Panthers enter Wednesday's Game 2 at Scotiabank Arena (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) as the favorites at our best sports betting sites.

💰 Panthers vs. Maple Leafs expert picks for Game 2

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✅ Against the spread pick: Panthers -1.5 (+195 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Panthers (-130 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Over 5.5 goals (-114 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐

🏒 Game 2 prediction & best bet

🎯 Score prediction: Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 2

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.

Stolarz incident impacted the Maple Leafs

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.

✅ Best bet: Panthers ML (-130 via DraftKings)

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📈 Panthers vs. Maple Leafs odds

Live updated odds from our best sports betting apps.

🪧 Game 2 opening odds

Opening odds via BetMGM.

Puck line: Panthers -1.5 (+195) | Maple Leafs +1.5 (-235)
Moneyline: Panthers -125 | Maple Leafs +105
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-118) | Under 5.5 (-102)

🚑 Panthers vs. Maple Leafs injury report

📈 Panthers vs. Maple Leafs betting insights

Here are some betting insights from BetMGM:

The Panthers are getting a larger share of the moneyline attention while drawing 57% of the action
Bettors are overwhelming favoring the Over on 5.5 goals, as that's getting 65% of the action
Florida began as the moneyline favorite, and its odds have lengthened slightly while moving from -125 to -135

📡 How to watch Panthers vs. Maple Leafs live tonight (Game 2)

📅 Wednesday, May 7
🕗 7 p.m. ET
📍 Scotiabank Arena (Toronto)
📺 ESPN, Sportsnet | 🛜 ESPN+, Sportsnet+

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Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Written By:
Gary Pearson

Gary Pearson has written professionally since 2010, focusing on sports betting since 2014. Before entering the sports betting space, he contributed to the Canadian Press, FanSided, the Hockey Writers, the Calgary Herald, and other publications. His work has also been featured in Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report. Gary, who consumes sports like a blue whale devours plankton, has a penchant for writing predictions and analyses across several sports, including hockey, soccer, football, tennis, and more. He bets regularly, preferring single-game picks, props, and live betting. While there isn't a sport he has yet to dabble in, Gary prefers betting on soccer, hockey, and football. He studied at various post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Griffith University, located in Brisbane, Australia. Gary has a marketing degree and completed his bachelor's degree in journalism at Griffith University. He feels strongly that life experience is as essential as post-secondary education, helping formulate more accurate predictions and analyses. Gary believes that competing at a high level of amateur sports during his formative years helped him better understand an athlete's psyche and the nuances and complexities of a team's dynamic, both on and off the playing surface. He feels that knowledge is immeasurably important when offering his analytical expertise. He has lived on five continents and currently resides in Canada.