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The Toronto Maple Leafs (2-1-0) and Florida Panthers (1-2-0) meet Thursday at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Maple Leafs vs. Panthers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Maple Leafs lost 4-1 on home ice against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. After scoring 13 goals in the 1st 2 games, including a pair of hat tricks by C Auston Matthews, Toronto had a power outage against the Blackhawks.
The Panthers opened with a 2-0 road loss against the Minnesota Wild last Thursday, and followed that up with a wild 6-4 road loss against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. The Panthers scratched out their 1st win on Monday, 4-3 at New Jersey Devils. This will be the home opener for Florida.
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Maple Leafs at Panthers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:58 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Maple Leafs -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Panthers +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Maple Leafs -1.5 (+170) | Panthers +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: +105 | U: -125)
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Maple Leafs at Panthers projected goalies
Ilya Samsonov (2-0-0, 4.42 GAA, .839 SV%) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (1-2-0, 3.42 GAA, .888 SV%)
Samsonov is confirmed to start Thursday’s game, looking to rain on the parade of the home opener for the Panthers. While he has won his 1st 2 starts, he coughed up 9 goals on 56 shots in those outings, bailed out by Toronto’s outstanding offense.
Bobrovsky allowed just 2 goals in his best showing of the season last Thursday in Minnesota, and he lost. He allowed 3 goals on 34 shots last time out in New Jersey, and he won. Bob has allowed 3 or more goals twice in 3 outings.
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Maple Leafs at Panthers picks and predictions
Prediction
Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 3
The PANTHERS (+115) are a solid value as short ‘dogs in the team’s home opener. Florida has had the number of the Maple Leafs (-135) in recent seasons, winning 9 of the past 13 meetings in Sunrise, while going 4-1 in the past 5 meetings overall. The underdog has cashed 7 of the past 8 meetings in this series, too.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Panthers +1.5 (-210) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not nearly enough reward if you require a little bit of insurance. Florida has dominated this series in recent years, so just play the Cats straight up if you like it.
PASS.
Over/Under
Over/Under 7 is a risky play, as I think the total comes right down on the number.
The Under has cashed in each of the past 7 meetings, while going 4-1 in the past 5 skates in South Florida. If anything, buying a half goal would be the way to go, but at Under 7.5 (-190), it’s still a lot of risk for not enough reward.
AVOID.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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