Date: 05-09-2025 Time: 7:00 PM EST

Location: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida

Moneyline: Maple Leafs +195, Panthers -245

Series: Maple Leafs lead 2-0

The Story So Far:

The Toronto Maple Leafs have surprised many with a strong start to their series against the Florida Panthers, taking a commanding 2-0 lead. Both games were tightly contested, with the Leafs edging out the Panthers in high-scoring affairs. Toronto will look to continue their momentum and take a stranglehold on the series with a win on the road. The Panthers, on the other hand, are in a must-win situation. Returning home to a hopefully energized crowd, they need to find a way to solve Toronto’s offense and tighten up their own defense to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole.

Key Players to Watch:

• Maple Leafs: The Leafs’ offensive stars will need to continue their strong play. Keeping up the pressure on Bobrovsky and capitalizing on scoring opportunities will be crucial.
• Panthers: Sergei Bobrovsky needs to be better. The Panthers will also need their top forwards to elevate their game to match Toronto’s offensive firepower.

Analysis:

The Maple Leafs have demonstrated resilience and offensive prowess in the first two games. However, expecting them to continue scoring at the same rate against a desperate Panthers team on home ice might be optimistic. The Panthers, facing elimination (in practical terms) if they lose, will undoubtedly come out with a renewed sense of urgency. Expect a more physical and defensively sound game from Florida.

Prediction:

While the Maple Leafs have the series lead, the Panthers are a dangerous team on home ice. Given the desperation factor and the likelihood of a more focused defensive effort from Florida, I’m leaning towards a Panthers victory. However, at -245, the moneyline offers little value.

Consider: Look for the Panthers to win a close, low-scoring game.

Disclaimer: This is just a prediction, and anything can happen in the playoffs. Please gamble responsibly.

Sources:
NHL.com: Official Site of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League – Wikipedia
NHL on ESPN – Scores, Stats and Highlights
NHL (@nhl) • Instagram photos and videos
NHL
NHL (@NHL) / X
NHL – YouTube
NHL (@NHL) / X
Buy NHL 25 – Electronic Arts
NHL