The Florida Panthers (36-31-7) visit the Toronto Maple Leafs (44-20-9) Wednesday. Puck drop from Scotiabank Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Panthers vs. Maple Leafs odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Panthers currently sit 3 points out of the final Wild-Card spot in the Eastern Conference thanks to a 4-game losing streak. Florida has been outscored 21-10 during the skid. The Over is 3-0-2 in the last 5 games overall.
The Maple Leafs picked up a 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators Sunday, rebounding from a 5-3 setback against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh Saturday. The Under in the Music City snapped a 5-0 Over run for the Leafs.
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Panthers at Maple Leafs odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:04 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Panthers +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Maple Leafs -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Panthers +1.5 (-180) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -160 | U: +122)
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Panthers at Maple Leafs projected goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky (24-20-3, 3.07 GAA, .901 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Ilya Samsonov (24-9-3, 2.46 GAA, .914 SV%, 3 SO)
Bobrovsky allowed 4 goals on just 26 shots in Ottawa Monday, and he has dropped 3 straight starts while allowing 4 or more goals in each of the outings.
Bob allowed 5 goals on 26 shots in a 6-2 loss against the Leafs in Sunrise last Thursday, the most goals he has allowed since Jan. 17, which was also against the Leafs, a 5-4 OT loss in Toronto.
Samsonov was smashed for 6 goals on just 28 shots last Tuesday on the road against the Islanders. He came on in a relief effort in his most recent appearance against the Panthers Jan. 17, turning aside all 11 of the shots he faced in an OT win.
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Panthers at Maple Leafs picks and predictions
Prediction
Maple Leafs 6, Panthers 4
Moneyline
The MAPLE LEAFS (-150) are worth playing, mostly because the Panthers (+130) are so ice-cold lately.
The Cats have dropped 4 in a row, including 4 straight against Eastern Conference foes.
The Leafs are 4-1 in the last 5 games inside the Atlantic Division. In addition, Toronto has won 17 of the lst 21 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Puck line/Against the spread
The MAPLE LEAFS -1.5 (+140) are worth a look on the puck line against the skidding Panthers +1.5 (-180).
Toronto won and covered as a favorite in its most recent home game against Carolina on March 17, while Florida has lost 3 of the last 4 games by 3 or more goals.
Over/Under
The OVER 6.5 (-160) is rather costly for a total play, but we should see plenty of goals in Hogtown.
The Over is 3-0-2 in the last 5 games for the Panthers, while going 5-1-1 in the last 7 games on the road.
The Over is 5-1 in the last 6 games overall for the Leafs, while cashing at a 7-0-1 clip in the last 8 against Eastern Conference foes.
In addition, the Over is 7-1-1 in the last 9 meetings in this series, while going 5-0-1 in the previoust 6 meetings in Toronto.
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