Yes, the weekend beckons and maybe the end of the second round in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs! The hope is for some excellent hockey and maybe one Game 7. At least, there is hockey guaranteed for Friday and Saturday. From here on out, the slates are only one game, and eventually, some days off are coming.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are it on the NHL Playoff calendar.
Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Betting Pick
Bettors Doubtful On Anthony Stolarz And Toronto
The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs were awaiting Anthony Stolarz’s status. It is clear that Stolarz represents Toronto’s best chance to win Game 6 and potentially Game 7. As of press time, the chances of Stolarz making a trip to Florida were doubtful. Therefore, Joseph Woll expects to suit up in goal against Sergei Bobrovsky.
Sergei Bobrovsky stepped up in the last two games and showed what Bobrovsky can do. Woll is what he is. Florida had him figured out last year, and there is a distinct feeling of deja vu here. One thing is clear: the moneyline keeps going out. It stands at -245 currently and might even go past -250.
At the very beginning of this series, most prognosticators had Florida in six games, and it is likely. However, one never fully knows. Realistically, the moneyline is not the best option. That is obvious. So, what wagers are?
The numbers shifted dramatically in this series, and the spread of 1.5 games was plus money (+110) at the start and +175 after two games. Yes, timing is everything, and the best Maple Leafs fans and backers can hope for is a Game 7. Woll did play very well in Game 4, stopping 35 of 37 shots.
The problem is that Florida has kept possession tilted around 60-40 all series. That puts pressure on Toronto to generate goals and chances with limited opportunities. Toronto was cashing in on those chances, and now they are not. Goals might be more challenging to come by in this one.
Game 6 Best Bets: Joseph Woll over 27.5 saves (-110) via DraftKings
Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs under 5.5 goals (-105) via DraftKings
More Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers Game 1 Picks
Naturally, the inevitable result feels like a Florida win and an early week start to the Eastern Conference Final (maybe as soon as Monday). If the space is limited and Toronto tries to keep scoring down again, then Christopher Tanev may block more shots. In Games 1 and 2, he blocked five shots in both. Games 3-5 saw him deflect a combined seven shots.
After blocks, the eyes turn to other categories for players. Player props can be pretty fickle this time of year. It is funny that the Sam’s do not have a goal in the same game. Sam Bennett has scored a goal in each of the past two games. Meanwhile, Sam Reinhart got a goal in Game 3, but not Bennett.
Also, Game 2 is the only time in the series that neither player ended up on the goal side of the ledger. Reinhart has been shooting the puck (19 shots in the last three games) and active near the net. It is a bit of a long shot, but Reinhart is now +310 to get 5+ shots on goal Friday night. Tack on the anytime goal, too.
Prime Picks: Christopher Tanev over 2.5 blocks (-145 via Caesars).
Sam Reinhart (+310 for 5+ shots and +175 for anytime goal via BetMGM).
A Final Parting Shot
Sadly, these picks get even more scarce because of fewer games.
While the exact score was tempting and the margin of victory is too, the idea was to research something different for Friday night again.
If Toronto comes out with any urgency or forces overtime, Sergei Bobrovsky will likely make 25+ saves with ease. He has done so in three of the five games in this series. Four out of six is not unreasonable here. Florida could relax a bit at times, allowing Toronto a few more chances.
Pick: Sergei Bobrovsky to make 25+ saves Friday night (+178 via FanDuel)
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