Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 2 Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Florida Scratches off Potential Toronto Rebound

The Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs continue their series in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. 

The Panthers opened the series with a 4-2 victory, winning for the fourth consecutive time. The Maple Leafs were also roughed up 7-3 in Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and they slipped to 0-2 on home ice in series-opening games in these playoffs.

Can Florida sweep both games in the center of the hockey universe, or will Toronto bounce back before the series shifts to the States? We’ll discuss in our NHL betting picks for the Panthers vs. Maple Leafs on Thursday, May 4.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 2 odds

Panthers vs Maple Leafs series odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of May 4.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 2 predictions

The Panthers were impressive in the series opener. Nick Cousins scored to quiet the crowd midway through the first period, but the Leafs fought back. Toronto was strong in the second period, tying it up 2-2 with goals from Matthew Knies and Michael Bunting.

However, Carter Verhaeghe notched his third goal this postseason (with helpers to Anthony Duclair and Aleksander Barkov), and he became the franchise’s leader in postseason goals. The breakaway goal just before the second intermission was a killer for the home side.

Brandon Montour put a nail in the coffin at 12:24 of the third period, disappointing the home crowd. Over bettors were also disappointed, as with a total of 6.5, the Leafs were unable to score with an extra attacker with over three minutes of time, nor were the Cats able to convert the empty-net goal.

Florida’s Barkov won 70.6% of his faceoffs, while Verhaeghe notched another game-winning goal, giving him six in the playoffs since 2022. That leads all players in the NHL during the span.

The Panthers carried the play for the first and third period, while the Leafs came alive in the second period. But Toronto didn’t play a full 60 minutes, and that’s required against a Florida team playing with a lot of confidence right now.

We saw Toronto look lifeless in Game 1 against the Lightning, losing 7-3. It then bounced back in Game 2, picking up a 7-2 victory before shifting the series down to the Sunshine State. I think we see a similar situation for the Leafs in Game 2.

While I think Toronto wins, I am not confident enough to risk nearly two times my return on the money line. Instead, go with the Panthers on the puck line for a little bit better of a value.

My best bet: Panthers +1.5 (-161 at SIA)

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 2 moneyline analysis

The Panthers have not only won four in a row in these playoffs since going down 3-1 in Game 4 against the Bruins in the first round, but Florida has obviously covered the puck line in four in a row as an underdog in each of the battles.

Toronto failed to cash in Game 1 as a favorite, and the Maple Leafs are just 2-3 as a favorite in the postseason so far. The Leafs are only 1-4 on the puck line when favored, too. As such, you have to go with the visitors in Game 2 until the Leafs prove they can win in convincing fashion when favored.

The Panthers have also won four games on the road, while going 8-2 in the past 10 when following a win.

While that’s all well and good, the Panthers are still just 1-4 in the past five in the Conference Semifinals round, although that lone win was obviously in Game 1.

The Leafs are a perfect 7-0 in the past seven when playing on a day of rest, while going 59-27 in the past 86 at Scotiabank Arena. That’s good for a .686 winning percentage. The home side should win, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see a one-goal victory.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 2 Over/Under analysis

Over bettors were defeated in Game 1, as the net was empty and Toronto worked with an extra attacker for three minutes of game time, but it just couldn’t get Over bettors across the finish line.

The Under is actually 5-0 in the past five for the Panthers in the Conference Semifinals round, but the Over is 4-1 in the past five games overall for Florida. The Over is 5-2-1 in the past eight trips to Toronto, too.

The Leafs have allowed 16 goals across the past five outings, or 3.2 goals per game (GPG), while notching a total of 22 goals in the past six games, or 3.7 GPG. That has been good for plenty of Over results lately, including an Over result in Game 2 of the previous series.

We should see a lot of goal opportunities for both sides, as these teams are super-fast, with each offense playing with a lot of confidence.

Couple the Over with the Panthers on the puck line for a solid parlay opportunity. And for an extra bonus, I really like Auston Matthews as an anytime goal scorer (-135) in Game 2. He was held to just an assist in the series opener, but should be able to get one past Sergei Bobrovsky.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs betting trend to know

The road team has cashed in four straight games in this series. Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Maple Leafs.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 2 game info

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 2 injuries

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