Panthers vs Maple Leafs Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for NHL Playoffs Game 2 (Toronto Leans on Power Play to Win)

The 2022-23 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs continue on Wednesday, May 3 with Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Maple Leafs vs Panthers Game Info

• Toronto Maple Leafs (50-21-11) vs. Florida Panthers (42-32-8)
• Date: Thursday, May 4, 2023
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Venue: Scotiabank Arena -- Toronto, Ontario
• Coverage: TNT

The Panthers have yet to lose momentum following their first-round comeback against the Boston Bruins. Florida took care of business on the road in Game 1 on Tuesday night, emerging victorious by a score of 4-2. Matthew Tkachuk made his presence felt with 3 assists, while goalie Sergei Bobrovsky racked up 34 saves.

Maple Leafs vs Panthers Odds & Spread

• All NHL betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: TOR: (-188) | FLA: (+155)
• Spread: TOR: -1.5 (+125) | FLA: +1.5 (-150)
• Total: 6.5 -- Over: (-134) | Under: (+110)

The Maple Leafs enter this contest as home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This playoff clash also features an over/under of 6.5 goals with the over being favored at -134 odds.

Favorite	Underdog	Total	Spread
Maple Leafs (-184)	Panthers (+152)	6.5	Maple Leafs (-1.5)

Maple Leafs vs Panthers Betting Trends

• Toronto is 9-3 straight up in its last 12 home games against Florida.
• The total has hit the over in five of Toronto's last seven games in May.
• Florida is 8-1 straight up in its last nine away games.
• The total has hit the under in four of Florida's last six games against Toronto.

Maple Leafs vs Panthers Prediction & Pick

Game 1 of this series has an eerily similar feeling to Game 1 of the first-round series between the Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning came into Toronto and won by a score of 7-3 before the Maple Leafs made the necessary adjustments in order to win four of the next five games.

I expect that to happen again here, at least in Game 2. Toronto tallied 4 power play opportunities in Game 1 and Florida only logged 1, which is notable considering the Panthers finished the regular season ranked 21st in power play kill percentage (76.0%). The Maple Leafs have a chance to cash in.

Keep in mind the Maple Leafs finished the season ranked second in power play percentage (26%). The extra man advantage opportunities on the ice will decide this game on Thursday night. Look for Toronto to bounce back as it has won nine of its last 12 home games against Florida.

Final Score Prediction: Maple Leafs: 4 | Panthers: 3

Maple Leafs vs Panthers Best Bet

Momentum is on the side of the Panthers, but the advantage of home ice goes to the Maple Leafs. That should result in another close battle, so the idea of backing this game to go to overtime remains enticing. After all, Florida and Toronto have combined to play in five overtime contests so far this postseason. Three of the five meetings between these teams this season have gone to overtime, too, so expect the score to be tied at the end of regulation.

Bet: Will There Be Overtime? Yes (+390)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.