Stanley Cup Playoffs: Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 1 Odds, Analysis, & Picks

The stage is set in the Eastern Conference semifinals for a heavyweight matchup between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Game 1 is scheduled for Monday evening at Scotiabank Arena, with puck drop at 7:10 PM EDT. The defending champions find themselves in the second round after taking down the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games in the conference quarterfinals, while the Leafs eliminated the Ottawa Senators in six games in the Battle of Ontario.

Odds provided by Sports Interaction.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 1 Odds

The Panthers are a clear -125 road favorite at NHL sportsbooks. The Maple Leafs return at +105 on the moneyline. The total sits at 5.5.

There were four meetings between these two in the regular season, with Florida going 3-1. They also beat Toronto in the 2023 playoffs in five games. Regardless, it should be a very entertaining series.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Analysis

The defending champions certainly look the part of a title contender again. Paul Maurice’s squad might’ve been the third seed out of the Atlantic Division, but they breezed past the Bolts in Round One. Florida managed to shut down the top offense in the NHL, limiting Tampa to just two goals through the first two games of the series. The Cats won the series clincher 6-3 on Wednesday on the road.

The Panthers' core is phenomenal, and they’ve all contributed. Sam Reinhart has led the way in these playoffs with six points, while Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Aleksander Barkov, Anton Lundell, and Eetu Luostarinen all have five points apiece as well. Florida has had lots of success against Toronto in the past, but their blue line must find a way to slow down the likes of Auston Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner, among others. That will be one of the biggest keys to victory in the series.

The Leafs won the Atlantic Division in 2024-25 and did play relatively well in the first round, although they did nearly blow a 3-0 series lead. The Sens won two straight before Toronto thankfully closed things out in Game 6 on Thursday. Nylander led the way with two goals and an assist. The Swede has been their best player in the postseason, scoring three and assisting six. Marner, Matthews, and Tavares are racking up the points, too.

Toronto is looking to finally get over the playoff hump and make a Stanley Cup run and to be honest, the Panthers represent the biggest challenge to them out East. Florida has their number from previous years and even this season, but something feels different about the Leafs this time. They should keep this series very competitive, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it went seven games. These are two uber-talented teams.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game 1 Picks

The Cats are a solid road group and went 3-0 in the first round away from Amerant Bank Arena. As for the Leafs, they were just 2-1 at home and looked shaky at times against Ottawa. I’ll take Florida to start the series off with a bang and secure a Game 1 win.

Pick: Panthers -125 /Sports Interaction