The Florida Panthers face the Toronto Maple Leafs with both teams looking to secure the best record in the Atlantic Division. The Panthers have a 40-22-3 record and with eight wins in their last 10 games, they have the best record in the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs are 39-22-3 and in second place in the division. Who will win this game? Check out our Panthers vs Maple Leafs prediction!
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Panthers are led by a remarkable defense
The Panthers are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.25 goals per game. Sam Reinhart and Aleksander Barkov have combined for 49 goals and 79 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, and Anton Lundell have combined for 52 goals and 76 assists while defensemen Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad have added 12 goals and 43 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has carried the Panthers, allowing only 2.69 goals per game with only four goals in the last five games. Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad have combined for 18.4 defensive point shares while Niko Mikkola and Dmitry Kulikov have combined for 15.5 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been great with a .907 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average on 1135 shots with 6.2 goals saved above average.
Toronto has looked great on both ends of the ice
The Maple Leafs are having a great season with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.20 goals per game. Mitch Marner and William Nylander have scored 57 goals and 89 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. John Tavares, Auston Matthews, and Matthew Knies have combined for 73 goals and 81 assists while defensemen Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson have added 11 goals and 47 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has also been great, allowing only 2.95 goals per game. Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson have combined for 16.5 defensive point shares while Morgan Rielly and Jake McCabe have combined for 14.3 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Anthony Stolarz has stepped up with a .921 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average on 685 shots with 13.7 goals saved above average.
Best Bets for Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
This will be a great game between two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The Maple Leafs look to step up on their home ice but the Panthers look to bounce back from a rough loss and control this game. The Panthers, who average 3.25 goals per game, should constantly find the back of the net with Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Panthers, who allow only 2.69 goals per game, should limit the Maple Leafs offense with Gustav Forsling, Aaron Ekblad, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to make plenty of big saves. The Panthers should win the game with a strong performance on the road.
Take the Panthers money line as road Favorites.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Both teams have great defenses that look to take over this game from the first period. The Maple Leafs, who allow only 2.95 goals per game, should limit the Panthers' offense with Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Anthony Stolarz to make plenty of big saves. The Panthers, who have allowed only four goals in the last five games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Maple Leafs with Gustav Forsling, Aaron Ekblad, Niko Mikkola, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game controlled by both defenses.
Take the Under on 5.5 goals.
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