In this article we will formulate a Panthers vs Maple Leafs prediction for this NHL game on Friday, May 16th at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers are up 3-2 in the series after they won game five by a score of 6-1 in their last game. Florida led 1-0 after the first period and they added three goals in the second to pull away with the easy win. The Panthers recorded 32 shots on goal, won 52.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Florida got goals from Bennett, Boqvist, Greer, Ekblad, Kulikov, and Mikkola, while Gadjovich led the team with nine hits in the win. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 31 out of 32 shots in the game, which was a .969 save percentage.
Prior to that win, the Panthers lost the first two games of the series by scores of 5-4 and 4-3, but they did win games three and four by scores of 5-4 and 2-0. In the first round, Florida defeated Tampa Bay in five games, but did lose game three at home by a score of 5-1. Florida has scored 3.00 goals per game and they have allowed 2.72 goals against per game, while also going 23.5% on the power play and 80.7% on the penalty kill this season. Sam Reinhart has led Florida with three goals, seven hits, and 39 shots on goal, while Lundell, Bennett, Marchand, Tkachuk, and Luostarinen have all added nine points each. Sergei Bobrovsky is 7-3 with a 2.46 goals against average and an .899 save percentage in the postseason.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing elimination in this game and they have lost three games in a row in the series. In their game five loss, Toronto played with very little energy and they were severely outplayed, but they were able to score late in the game to avoid the shutout. The Maple Leafs recorded 32 shots on goal, won 47.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Toronto got their lone goal from Robertson, while McMann and Pacioretty both had eight hits in the win. Joseph Woll stopped 20 out of 25 shots in the game, while Matt Murray stopped six out of seven in relief.
Prior to this series, the Maple Leafs defeated the Senators in six games. Toronto led 3-0 in that series, but they lost games four and five, before eliminating Ottawa with a win in game six. Toronto has scored 3.26 goals per game and they have allowed 2.79 goals against per game, while also going 24.8% on the power play and 77.9% on the penalty kill this season. William Nylander has led Toronto with six goals, nine assists, and 34 shots on goal, while Mitch Marner has added two goals, 10 assists, and 14 shots on goal. Joseph Woll is 2-3 with a 4.02 goals against average and an .877 save percentage this postseason.
Why the Maple Leafs will beat the Panthers
- The Panthers have lost each of their last three games as favorites following a road win.
- The Maple Leafs have won 12 of their last 16 games as underdogs following a home loss.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games as favorites following a road win.
- The Maple Leafs have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Maple Leafs have won the second period in each of their last four games at Amerant Bank Arena when tied after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Panthers’ last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Maple Leafs’ last eight games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the last seven games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Maple Leafs’ last nine games as road underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Panthers’ last six games following a road win.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Carter Verhaeghe has scored a goal in each of his last six appearances in night games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- Aaron Ekblad has recorded at least one assist in nine of his last 10 appearances in night games.
- Aleksander Barkov has recorded at least one point in each of his last 11 appearances in night games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- Aleksander Barkov ranks T1st in the league for shootout goals (4) this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- Auston Matthews has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances in Game 6s of a playoff series.
- Mitch Marner has recorded at least one assist in six of the Maple Leafs’ last seven games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Mitch Marner has recorded at least one point in 15 of the Maple Leafs’ last 17 road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- William Nylander ranks T1st in the league for multi-goal games (10) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Florida Panthers rank 7th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.72).
- The Florida Panthers rank 1st in the league in penalty minutes this season (843).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank T7th in the league for goals per game this season (3.26).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of seven teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
Panthers vs Maple Leafs Prediction
Toronto looked like the better team in this series for about the first three games, but they have played very poorly in the last two. The Maple Leafs have scored a grand total of one goal in their last two games and their defense was pathetic in game five. Florida was shaky to start the series, especially in net, but Bobrovsky is locked in now. This Toronto team has looked awful over the last two games, but I still think they have a ton of value, especially at this price. Take the Leafs here, as they fight off elimination.