The Toronto Maple Leafs (42-19-9) play the 3rd contest of a 5-game road trip against the Florida Panthers (36-28-7) Thursday. Puck drop from FLA Live Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Maple Leafs vs. Panthers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Maple Leafs were feeling pretty good about themselves after a 5-2 win at home against the Carolina Hurricanes Friday and opened their road trip with a 5-4 shootout victory at the Ottawa Senators Saturday. However, Toronto was given a hard dose of reality in a 7-2 loss against the New York Islanders Tuesday as they headed south.
The Panthers were also feeling good about themselves, going 6-0-1 from March 4-20. However, Florida was also given a dose of reality as it was doubled up 6-3 against the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday.
These teams last met in Toronto on Jan. 17 when the Leafs skated away with a 5-4 overtime win as the Over (6.5) cashed.
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Maple Leafs at Panthers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:13 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Maple Leafs -110 (bet $105 to win $100) | Panthers -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Maple Leafs +1.5 (-250) | Panthers -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +135 | U: -170)
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Maple Leafs at Panthers projected goalies
Matt Murray (13-7-2, 2.96 GAA, .905 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (24-17-3, 2.98 GAA, .904 SV%, 1 SO)
Murray was sensational Saturday in Ottawa against his former team, stopping 48 of the 52 shots he faced in the victory. However, he has allowed exactly 4 goals in each of his past 6 starts, and he faced 35 or fewer shots in each of the other 5. That includes 4 goals allowed on just 8 shots in Toronto on Jan. 17, and he was pulled early in the 2nd period of that comeback win.
Bobrovsky allowed just 2 goals on 22 shots in a win at the Detroit Red Wings Monday, his 3rd straight start with a win. He has also started 7 straight starts without a loss in regulation, suffering only an OTL against the Winnipeg Jets at home on March 11. He is 6-1-1 with a 2.60 GAA and .903 SV% in 8 starts in March.
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Maple Leafs at Panthers picks and predictions
Prediction
Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 2
Moneyline
The PANTHERS (-110) are worth a look on home ice.
The Panthers were red-hot until the setback in Philadelphia, but that was a tough spot with a quick turnaround after playing at Detroit Monday. No rest and travel results in a difficult game the following night, especially with a backup goaltender.
Florida is still 6-2 in the past 8 games and 5-1 in the past 6 against Eastern Conference foes. It is also 19-7 in the past 26 home games against the Leafs. Look for Florida to continue its dominance in the series.
Puck line/Against the spread
The PANTHERS -1.5 (+180) are worth a shot on the puck line for a chance to nearly double up.
Florida has covered the puck line in 3 of its last 4 as a favorite, winning those 3 games by an average of 3.0 goals.
However, each of the last 3 meetings in this series has been won by the home team in overtime, so go lightly.
Over/Under
The Under 7.5 (-170) is priced a little too high for my liking. It’s rare to see a total of 7 offered, let alone 7.5.
While 6 of the past 8 meetings in this series have had a total of 8 or more goals, and both teams saw a total of 9 goals in their games on Tuesday, it’s too much risk for not enough reward.
PASS.
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