Expert prediction
NHL Playoffs Game 1: Panthers vs Maple Leafs Prediction, Odds, and Picks (May 2)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- Toronto Maple Leafs have home advantage for their opening game in the second round
- Florida Panthers caused a major shock by eliminating the Boston Bruins
A huge match-up in the second round of the NHL playoffs gets underway on Tuesday, as the Toronto Maple Leafs will have home advantage for their opening game against the Florida Panthers.
How To Watch
- When: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 7:00 P.M. ET
- Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
- How To Watch: NHL TV
Odds
| Panthers | Maple Leafs |
|---|---|
Team News
A huge game in the second round of the NHL playoffs gets underway on Tuesday, as the Toronto Maple Leafs will be heavily favored to overcome the Florida Panthers. The Leafs finally overcame their curse in the opening round of the playoffs, as they ended their winless streak in the post-season with a strong six-game success against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Toronto booked their spot at this stage in dramatic fashion, as they overcame the Lightning in overtime on Saturday evening. The Leafs landed a 2-1 success at Amalie Arena, and confidence will now be high that they can achieve something very special in the playoffs this season.
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However, the Panthers have already made a mockery of the odds in the playoffs this season, as they eliminated the top seeds in the Eastern Conference in the opening round. The Panthers were huge underdogs in their series against the Boston Bruins, but they rose to the occasion at TD Garden in game seven to reach the second round.
Florida secured their spot in this round with an overtime winner, as they registered a 4-3 success against the Stanley Cup favorites. Brandon Montour was in excellent form in game seven, as he scored twice, while other goals in the dramatic win in Boston were scored by Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe.
Picks
The Panthers upset the odds to reach the second round, but they will be outsiders once again against the Maple Leafs. Toronto was excellent in their opening round series, and we see them continuing that form with a victory in game one between these sides.
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