Odds provided by Sports Interaction.
Maple Leafs vs Panthers Game 3 Odds
The Panthers are a heavy -235 favorite at NHL sportsbooks. The Leafs come back as a +190 underdog. Both games have been extremely close so far, finishing with 5-4 and 4-3 scorelines.
Maple Leafs vs Panthers Analysis
The Leafs remember when the Panthers knocked them out of the playoffs two years ago and they’ve clearly used that as motivation this time around. Yes, it’s been a close series, but the reality is Toronto is up 2-0 heading on the road. That’s a phenomenal position to be in for the Atlantic Division winners. While losing netminder Anthony Stolarz to injury in Game 1 was far from ideal, Joseph Woll held it down in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Woll made 25 saves on 28 shots and the big guns stepped up for the Maple Leafs. Both William Nylander and Mitch Marner found the back of the net, while Auston Matthews had an assist. Morgan Reilly also added two helpers. Toronto has been producing a lot of goals against Sergei Bobrovsky, one of the best in the world at his craft. The Leafs have to remain at their best however because the Panthers are going to be playing with serious intensity with their backs up against the wall. Toronto must stay prepared.
The Cats are in an unfamiliar position being down two games in a series, but we’re talking about the defending Stanley Cup champions here. Florida is no stranger to adversity and they’re well aware that returning to Amerant Bank Arena is going to provide them with a major boost with the home crowd behind them. It’s truly been such a tight series and with one or two bounces going the Panthers’ way, they could either be tied or up 2-0 themselves.
Florida outshot Toronto 28-20 in Game 2 and it went right down to the wire, with the two tied 3-3 heading into the final minutes of the third before Marner broke the deadlock. Aleksander Barkov, Brad Marchand, and Anton Lundell all scored for the visitors. The Panthers have only had two games in the playoffs on home ice and they’ve gone 1-1. However, Paul Maurice’s group was 27-12-2 at home during the regular season. They will be confident and as you can see, the sportsbooks are evidently expecting the Cats to win.
Maple Leafs vs Panthers Game 3 Picks
My take isn’t complicated – the Panthers are too good of a team to lose another here. This is still going to be a long series and Florida will punch back in Game 3. Put some money down on the hosts to grab a crucial victory in this Eastern Conference semifinal.
Pick: Panthers -235 /Sports Interaction
