Now, that was a weekend of hockey! The hope is that bettors and fans alike exhaled after what was seen over the past 48 hours. At least, the second round is now set. We hop back in with Game 1 between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs.
This is the only game tonight on the NHL Playoff calendar.
Florida And Toronto Come Off Ample Rest
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The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs have not played in a while. Florida’s last game was on Wednesday, and Toronto’s was on Thursday night. Could there be some potential rust with the two teams?
While we know what Sergei Bobrovsky can do in the regular season and playoffs, Anthony Stolarz is still somewhat unknown. The New Jersey native has not faced many shots, but made enough saves when it counted in Game 6 versus Ottawa.
Here is where things are a little different. I was asked about the series itself, and this is where it gets strange. Florida played Toronto two years ago after dispatching Tampa Bay in Round 1. Now, the Panthers took care of the Lightning again last week. That Panthers-Maple Leafs series went five games.
The numbers set up the same in some ways this time around. Every game was close, and two contests went to overtime. Florida played better in the big moments as Bobrovsky outdueled Joseph Woll, who was incredible in Games 4 and 5. Can Stolarz match that?
The problem with the series is that Florida is set up to face a team like Toronto. After all, look at how the Panthers played the Lightning in Round 1. The games were mainly close until a few breaking points occurred. It may be the same with Toronto. Expect the Maple Leafs to at least take one, if not two, games. That explains our slight “hedge” in the series predictions.
Series Bets: Florida Panthers in five games (+500) via DraftKings, Florida Panthers -1.5 Games (+110) via DraftKings
Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Game 1 Predictions
Naturally, the rest versus rust boils to the surface. Expect Florida and Toronto to get reintroduced to each other. Florida plays better on the road and arguably smarter without Aaron Ekblad (suspended for Game 1).
As much as the home win for Toronto is possible, people forget how well the Florida Panthers know Stolarz. After all, he was a member of the Panthers in 2023-24. Yes, he knows Florida’s tendencies as well. However, the Panthers are a different team. Florida concentrates more on quality than shot quantity. It was highly evident against Tampa Bay in Round 1.
Also, Florida and Tampa Bay contests were decided by 2+ goals in all five games, while Toronto and Ottawa were not. For those with more resolve and daring, Florida, at -1.5 goals, is now +196 via Caesars and could get to +200 or even +210. Instead, I like the slightly more conservative 60-minute option for Monday night.
Best Pick: Florida Panthers in 60 minutes (+115 via Caesars)
Game 1 Shot From The Red Line
Sadly, I was one game off on the Jordan Kyrou first goal. I apologize for that. Things got mixed up between the two weekend games. Undaunted, we move on. It is a case of mostly right results with very unexpected endings.
Which Sam scores on Toronto in Game 1? That is one question, err, bet, to consider. While everyone focuses on Florida players like Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, that first-period anytime goal from Sam Reinhart comes in at +650 via FanDuel.
Reinhart is made for moments like this. He finds the right areas to score, whether it is the regular season or the playoffs.
Pick: Sam Reinhart anytime first-period goal scored (+650 via FanDuel)
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