The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs meet Saturday in NHL action at the Scotiabank Arena. Here’s a Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Prediction. This article will include a Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Pick.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers lost to the Senators and Habs and play the Rangers next. The Panthers have lost 7 of their last 9 games.
The Florida Panthers are averaging 2.9 goals per game and are scoring on 19.4 percent of their power-play opportunities. Sam Reinhart leads Florida with 29 goals, Sam Bennett has 32 assists, and Carter Verhaeghe has 187 shots on goal. Defensively, the Florida Panthers are allowing 3.41 goals per game and are killing 80.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed 154 goals on 1,252 shots faced, while Daniil Tarasov has given up 92 goals on 853 shots.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Capitals and Islanders and play the Stars next. The Maple Leafs have lost 8 of their last 11 games.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are averaging 3.09 goals per game and are scoring 20.8 percent of their power-play opportunities. John Tavares leads Toronto with 30 goals, William Nylander has 47 assists, and Auston Matthews has 227 shots on goal. Defensively, the Toronto Maple Leafs are allowing 3.54 goals per game and are killing 82 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Joseph Woll has allowed 120 goals on 1,197 shots faced, while Dennis Hildeby has given up 46 goals on 511 shots.
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs will win
- The home team has won each of the Panthers’ last eight games.
- The Panthers have lost each of their last seven road games.
- The home team has covered the puck line in eight of the Panthers’ last nine games.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven road games.
- The Maple Leafs have won the third period in seven of their last eight games as home favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
Why the Florida Panthers will win
- The Maple Leafs have lost eight of their last nine games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Panthers have won five of their last six games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 games as underdogs against the Maple Leafs.
- The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last nine games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Maple Leafs have lost the first period in each of their last four night games.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Panthers’ last four games against opponents on a losing streak has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the Maple Leafs’ last six games against the Panthers following a road loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last nine games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last eight games as home favorites.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last 10 road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- William Nylander has scored at least one goal in each of his last four appearances with the Maple Leafs as home favorites.
- William Nylander has recorded at least one assist in 13 of his last 15 appearances with the Maple Leafs as home favorites.
- Troy Stecher has recorded two assists against the Panthers this season—most against any opponent.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Nolan Foote has scored at least one goal in three of his last four appearances with his team as a road underdog against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Matthew Tkachuk has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight Saturday night appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Mackie Samoskevich has recorded 10 hits against the Maple Leafs this season—most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 30th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.54).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 4th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (81.98%).
- The Florida Panthers rank 28th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.41).
- The Florida Panthers rank 32nd in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (0.81).
Maple Leafs vs Panthers Prediction
I’m not excited to get involved in this game between two talented teams having a down year and having nothing to play for at this stage. In a game like this, usually id want the plus money; however, I’m looking at the over instead. The Panthers’ draft position improves with each loss and defense has gone out the window over the last two weeks.
The over is 6-3-1 in the Maple Leafs’ last 10 games and they’ve allowed 4 or more goals in each of their last 6 games. We’re toward the end of the season; both teams have vacations booked already, it’s hard to find effort this time of year when there are no stakes. Expect goals. Give me the over.