Expert prediction
NHL Playoffs Game 5: Lightning vs Maple Leafs Prediction, Odds, and Picks (Apr 27)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- Toronto Maple Leafs within one victory of securing their spot in the next round
- Tampa Bay Lightning must win to keep hopes of progression alive
The long wait for a Toronto Maple Leafs series victory in the playoffs may come to an end on Thursday evening. Toronto is within one victory of reaching the next round after claiming a pulsating victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in game four.
How To Watch
- When: Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 7:00 p.m ET
- Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
- How To Watch: NHL TV
Odds
| Lightning | Maple Leafs |
|---|---|
Team News
It has been a long time since Leafs Nation has been able to celebrate a series success in the playoffs, but that wait could come to an end on Thursday. The Maple Leafs are within one win of reaching the next round, and gaining revenge on the Tampa Bay Lightning, who beat Toronto in seven games last season.
It is a credit to the character of this team that they were able to bounce back from a humbling defeat in game one. That bouncebackability was evident once again in game four, as Toronto stormed back from 4-1 down at the end of the second. Toronto scored three in the final period to force overtime, before Alexander Kerfoot netted a dramatic winner.
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The Tampa Bay Lightning may have believed that they were cruising to success in game four. However, the Maple Leafs comeback stunned Tampa, and they must now pick themselves up from that huge disappointment at Amalie Arena. Their future in the series hinges on game five, with a victory handing them home advantage to level the series and force a game seven.
For two periods, the Lighting was excellent. They were fully deserving of their healthy advantage, with the goals in the quick start coming from Alex Killorn, Mikhail Sergachev, and Steven Stamkos. But, there was a certain sense that the momentum had firmly swung in Toronto’s favor.
Picks
Game four could turn out to be crucial in this series, as the advantage is very much with the Maple Leafs coming into game five. We expect a packed out Scotiabank Arena to enjoy a famous night on Thursday, with the Leafs gaining to win that they require to reach the next round.
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