Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers: NHL Best Bets (5/16)

We are back down in the Sunshine State as the Florida Panthers host the Toronto Maple Leafs once again, as the team from up north faces elimination in this series. If I’m a Leafs fan, I am absolutely terrified for tonight’s game, for several reasons.

Number one being this team looks lifeless. They were up 2-0 after winning both contests in Toronto to begin this series, and even held a 3-1 lead in Game 3 late in the second period. But then something happened, the tides turned, and Florida has taken over in dominant fashion.

The Panthers battled back at home in Game 3 to force OT and eventually get the much needed victory. Then in Game 4, their defense showed up at the perfect time. Florida contained Toronto to just 23 SOGs compared to their 37. Joseph Woll had a great game, saving nearly 95% of pucks that came his way, but Sergei Bobrovsky pitched a shutout, and the Ice Cats tied things up at two games apiece.

At this point, Florida had all of the momentum, and it showed in Game 5 in Toronto. It took 15 minutes to get the scoring started, but then all hell broke loose. The Panthers led just 1-0 after the first, but turned that into a four goal lead after adding three more in the second. Two additional goals in the third extended things to an ugly 6-0 lead before the Maple Leafs netted one way too late to avoid the shutout, losing 6-1 on their home ice.

Can Toronto pick themselves up and try to extend their season? Or will the Panthers win a fourth straight game and advance to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals?

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Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers: Game 6

Matchup Information – Leafs vs. Panthers

• Venue & Location: Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, FL)
• Date: Friday, May 16, 2025
• Puck Drop: 8:00 p.m. Eastern
• Broadcast: TNT/truTV

Betting Odds

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Puck Line

• Leafs +1.5 (-135)
• Panthers -1.5 (+115)

Moneyline

• Leafs +197
• Panthers -223

Total

• Over 5.5 (-116)
• Under 5.5 (+100)

It’s over for the Leafs. They have lost all confidence, motivation, and the Panthers have all the momentum in the world. After giving up a two goal lead in Game 3, and having a chance to hold on for a 3-0 series lead, the Leafs have melted down in classic Toronto fashion. I have no faith in them to turn things around, and I think it could get ugly.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers Best Bets

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Prediction: Panthers Win, Over 5.5

Best Bets: Panthers -1.5 (+115) BetOnline

Give me the Ice Cats. We won’t need an empty netter, but you better believe we will have the opportunity if it comes down to it. All series long, Florida has shot more pucks on the net (a good thing), they’ve contained their opponent’s attack (also a good thing), and they’ve taken better advantage of their power play opportunities (duh, it’s a good thing).

I will continue to bet on teams that do these three things consistently in the postseason, but I’ll have some decisions to make next series as I believe the Canes have been doing a great job at this as well. However, tonight, I am riding with the team with all the momentum on their side.

The humane thing for the Ice Cats to do would be to take the Leafs behind the barn and put them out of their misery before playing 60 minutes on the ice. However, that’s not how things work, and instead we get to see the Panthers put the final nail in the Maple Leafs’ coffin by absolutely obliterating them one more time. Come on, Florida.

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