Panthers vs Leafs Game 2 Predictions, Odds & Spread (May 4)
By George Nassios in NHL Hockey
Updated: May 4, 2023 at 3:45 pm EDTPublished:
- Game 2 between the Panthers and Maple Leafs goes down on Thursday, May 2nd
- Following a 4-2 loss in Game 1, the Leafs are -180 moneyline favorites to even the series up
- Check out the rest of the Panthers vs Maple Leafs odds, plus our best bet and picks
Things couldn’t have gotten off to a much better start for Florida in their series with the Maple Leafs. As expected, Matthew Tkachuk was a force, setting up three goals, including the sixth postseason tally for defenseman Brandon Montour in a 4-2 victory.
While the next meeting isn’t necessarily a must-win, the Leafs surely don’t want to head to Florida down two games. Faceoff for Game 2 between the Panthers and Maple Leafs is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, May 4th from Scotiabank Arena. Television coverage will be provided by TNT, CBC and Sportsnet.
Have a look at the Panthers vs Maple Leafs odds for Game 2 below while we also offer up our best bet and predictions. We’ll also provide some team and player props for you to ponder.
Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 2 Odds
| Game Time (ET) | Team | Puck Line | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 4th | Florida Panthers | +1.5 (-155) | O 6.5 (-135) | +155 |
| 7:00 pm | Toronto Maple Leafs | -1.5 (+135) | U 6.5 (+115) | -180 |
Even though they were defeated in Game 1, the Leafs are even stronger moneyline favorites at -180 for Game 2. Toronto has now dropped three of four homes this postseason, while the Panthers own a 4-1 road mark.
The over/under total is once again set at 6.5 goals. Usually dynamic on offense, the Leafs have failed to score more than two goals in each of their last three games, while the Panthers have scored at least four goals in four consecutive contests.
Odds as of May 3rd at DraftKings Sportsbook.Â
Bobrovsky Turns Back The Clock
Only one active NHL goalie has captured more than one Vezina Trophy and that is Florida netminder Sergei Bobrovsky. Although the last time he was recognized as the best netminder in the league was 2017 with Columbus, he showed in Game 2 that he is far from finished.
He was sensational in the series opener, making 34 stops including massive saves late in the game with arguably none bigger than the robbery below on William Nylander.
Bob denies Nylander late in the third! đźš« pic.twitter.com/FPZkORSc02
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 3, 2023
If he can drink from the fountain of youth, the Leafs are in a world of trouble. Florida’s stars, led by Tkachuk, once again created more than enough offense. In the last four games, all victories, the Panthers have scored 19 goals. One game has shifted the Panthers vs Leafs series odds, with Florida now -125 favorites.
Leafs Offense Suddenly Sputtering
Being nominated for a Selke Trophy is all fine and dandy but the Leafs need Mitch Marner to create more offense if they want to advance to the next round in the NHL Playoff Bracket. He can tag fellow winger William Nylander as well.
Maple Leafs Scoring Slide
| Playoff Games | Goals Per Game | Power Play % |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | 4.75 | 35.3% |
| 5-7 | 2.00 | 0% |
Marner is pointless in two straight after starting the postseason with 11 points in five games, while Nylander hasn’t found the twine since Game 2 against Tampa following the first 40-goal season of his career.
Contributing to the Leafs’ offensive woes is a minor power-play drought. They are 0-for-8 dating back to Game 5 of their series against Tampa. Against the Panthers, the Leafs were provided numerous chances with the man advantage and had some tremendous looks, but just couldn’t get one past Bobrovsky.
Panthers vs Maple Leafs Prediction
No team has a longer streak of avoiding a shutout than the Maple Leafs. It dates back to last season as they didn’t put up goose eggs a single time this past year. They didn’t go more than three games all campaign without scoring at least three times in a contest.
Game two Thursday@LGCanada | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/fWEgY8bpvY
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 3, 2023
Although playoff hockey is tighter, Toronto had a ton of chances against the Panthers, but Bobrovsky was excellent.
Of his 34 saves, 13 were considered high-danger by NaturalStatTrick.com. All things considered, we feel the Leafs are poised for an offensive breakout in the NHL odds, so we’re going hard on them in our prop picks.
Panthers vs Leafs Game 2 Prop Picks
| Prop Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Maple Leafs Over 3.5 Goals | -145 |
| Mitch Marner Over 0.5 PP Points | +135 |
| William Nylander Over 0.5 Points | -180 |
During the regular season, the Leafs had the second-best power play in the league and regardless of who plays the point, Marner is the conductor. Take him to get on the scoresheet while getting the man advantage off the schneid.
As seems to be an annual playoff tradition, Leaf fans are all over Nylander again for what appears to be a lackluster effort at times. Regardless, he is still getting his chances and led players from both sides with seven shots last game.
If Game 1 is any indication of how this series will go, expect a lot of free flowing, entertaining hockey that involves goals. The Leafs’ big guns haven’t been kept quiet for long all year, so after hitting the under in the NHL betting lines three straight times, expect a breakout and the squads to combine to hit the over in Game 2.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (-135)
Sports Writer
George has had a lifelong love affair with sports and studying sports statistics since he was a kid. He graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and has worked in the sports & media industry ever since in various roles from writer to producer.
