The Florida Panthers (22-16-3) and Toronto Maple Leafs (19-15-7) meet Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT / HBO Max). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Panthers vs. Maple Leafs and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Maple Leafs lead 1-0
Toronto won 4-1 as a moderate underdog (+145) as the Under (6.5) cashed in the first meeting Dec. 2 in Sunrise. The Leafs had 4 even-strength goals from the different scorers, including an empty-net goal from C John Tavares.
Toronto lost 4-3 in overtime at the New York Islanders Saturday as slight favorites (-115) as the Over (5.5) cashed. The Leafs have still picked up at least 1 point in 6 in a row, going 4-0-2 in the span, with the Over going 5-2-1 in the past 8 outings.
Florida lost the Winter Classic outdoor game at Loan Depot Park in Miami on Friday, falling 5-1, but it rebounded with an impressive 2-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche at Amerant Bank Arena Monday, handing the Avs just their third regulation loss. C Sam Bennett and D Aaron Ekblad has the goals, while G Daniil Tarasov made 27 saves.
The Panthers are 2-1-1 in the past 4 games, and 7-3-1 in the past 11 games. The Over has hit in 6 of the past 8 outings.
Panthers at Maple Leafs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 7:04 am. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Panthers -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Maple Leafs +105 (bet $100 to win $105)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Panthers -1.5 (+190) | Maple Leafs +1.5 (-235)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)Panthers at Maple Leafs projected goalies
Daniil Tarasov (5-6-2, 2.81 GAA, .904 SV%) vs. Joseph Woll (8-4-2, 2.81 GAA, .909 SV%, 1 SO)
Tarasov kicked aside 27-of-28 shots in Sunday’s 2-1 win over the Avalanche, dealing Colorado just its third regulation loss. Tarasov cooled a bit in December, going 2-2-1 with a 3.39 GAA and .888 SV% in 5 December starts, so the win over the Avs to kick off January is promising.
Woll was shaky in Saturday’s loss on the Island, allowing 4 goals on 25 shots in the 4-3 OTL against the Islanders, and he is 0-0-1 with a 5.36 GAA and .810 SV% in 2 January starts, and he was pulled from Thursday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Panthers at Maple Leafs picks and predictionsPrediction
Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 3
PANTHERS (-125) are worth a look as road favorites, as the champs look for revenge after losing to the Maple Leafs in Florida in the first meeting last month.
The Leafs just haven’t been hitting on all cylinders, while the Panthers served notice that they’re still an elite-level team after the quality victory over the Avalanche.
The Maple Leafs +1.5 (-235) will set you back nearly 2 1/2 time your potential return, if you require a little insurance, and want the goal and a half.
Playing the underdog on the puck line is risky behavior anyway, but it’s especially so when it’s a team not playing very well.
AVOID.
OVER 6 (-110) is the lean, so go with just a half-unit play at best.
Woll has been a sieve in the crease, so if he does, in fact, get the nod, go high, and don’t think twice.
Tarasov has also tailed off for the Panthers lately, although his victory over the Avalanche was an Under result. Still, the Over is 6-2 in the past 8 games for the Panthers.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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