The Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs meet in Game 2 of their best-of-7, Eastern Conference semifinals series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday. Puck drop at Scotiabank Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Panthers vs. Maple Leafs odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Playoff series: Maple Leafs lead 1-0

The Panthers might have won the Stanley Cup last season, but the Maple Leafs weren’t impressed … at least in Game 1 of this series Monday as Toronto took the opener 5-4 as a +113 road underdog with the Over (5.5) cashing.

Toronto picked up a goal from RW William Nylander just 33 seconds into the game, and the Leafs were off and running … well, skating. At 12:51 of the first period, it was Nylander 2, Panthers 0, as he scored a second goal before Florida D Seth Jones answered on the power play.

The Leafs scored the next 2 goals to make it 4-1 with 12:10 to go in the second period, but then disaster struck. Florida’s C Sam Bennett made contact with G Anthony Stolarz, who became ill and was forced to leave the game. He was hospitalized after the game, although there are reports he could be available for Game 2. G Joseph Woll stopped 17 of 20 shots as the Maple Leafs hung on for the 1-goal win.

This is the second postseason series between the 2 organizations since 2023. The first series was a second-rounder and saw Florida dispatch Toronto in 5 games enroute to a Stanley Cup Final appearance where they lost to the Vegas Golden Knights that season. The Atlantic Division winner Maple Leafs picked up just their second victory in the second round since 2004.

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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 at 2:50 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Panthers -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Maple Leafs +118 (bet $100 to win $118)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Panthers -1.5 (+180) | Maple Leafs +1.5 (-220)Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -118 | U: -102)Panthers at Maple Leafs projected goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky (4-2-0, 2.69 GAA, .886 SV%, 1 SO — postseason) vs. Joseph Woll (27-14-1, 2.73 GAA, .909 SV%, 1 SO — regular season)

Bobrovsky got off to a rough start, allowing 3 first-period goals before settling down and yielding just 2 goals in the final 2 periods. His 5 goals on 30 shots in the Game 1 loss were the most he has allowed in the postseason since coughing up 6 goals on 32 shots in Game 4 at Tampa Bay in the first round last season.

Woll came in ice-cold off the bench for the ill Stolarz, and he was a bit shaky to start. He allowed 3 goals on 20 shots, but ended up hanging on for the equivalent of a save in baseball. He preserved the victory and is likely to get the starting nod for Game 2 if Stolarz is unable to go.

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Panthers at Maple Leafs picks and predictionsPrediction

Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 3

The PANTHERS (-140) are a good play as moderate favorites in Game 2, especially if Woll gets the starting nod. The Maple Leafs hung on for dear life in the series opener, getting off to a strong start in the first period.

Toronto should be unable to get off to such a hot start against Bobrovsky Wednesday as he rarely has back-to-back poor outings in the postseason. He has been instrumental in Florida’s deep runs the past 2 seasons, and that shouldn’t change this year.

If you’re a bit more bold as a bettor, forget the moneyline and back PANTHERS -1.5 (+180) for the chance to nearly double up.

The Panthers offense has been on fire lately, averaging 4.7 goals per game in the past 3 postseason contests. The Maple Leafs offense has been good for 3 or more goals in 6 of their 7 playoff games. So, it won’t be easy for Florida, but look for the Cats to tap into their championship mettle, dig down deep, and gain the road split before heading back home in Game 3.

The OVER 5.5 (-118) is worth a play.

We had a total of 9 goals in Game 1. While we should see defense and checking tighten up, and goaltending to be much better as the series goes deeper, expect more wide-open play — yet again — in Game 2 in “The 6ix.”

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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