Forecasting the Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 1 in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, along with betting odds and suggested pick.
Rewritten Article:
Get ready for a gripping start to the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Florida Panthers take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 1. This high-octane clash goes down at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night. Let's jump into our Panthers-Maple Leafs Game 1 prediction and pick, continuing our playoffs series analyses.
The Panthers and Maple Leafs each secured their spots in the Second Round, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators, respectively. The Panthers won their series in five games, with three victories at home, while the Maple Leafs finished off the Senators in six games, taking the series victory at Canada Tire Centre.
Notably, the Panthers swept the season series against the Maple Leafs 3-1, and they've already bagged a win at Scotiabank Arena this season, defeating them 3-2 on March 13. In the 2023 Playoffs, the Panthers dispatched the Maple Leafs 4-1, sending them packing early. So, what's in store for Game 1?
Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds: Panthers-Maple Leafs Game 1 Odds
Here are the Panthers-Maple Leafs Game 1 Stanley Cup Playoffs odds, courtesy of FanDuel:
- Florida Panthers: -1.5 (+198)
- Moneyline: -125
- Toronto Maple Leafs: +1.5 (-250)
- Moneyline: +104
- Over: 5.5 (-104)
How To Watch Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 1 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Time: 8 PM ET/5 PM PTTV: ESPN, SportsNet, CBC, and TVAS
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Why the Panthers Will Cover the Spread/Win
The Panthers have been playing at an elite level. Despite their shaky entry into the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, they've since proven that they are indeed the contenders everyone thought they were. Starting on the road for the Second Round, the Panthers are still the preferred choice, as most remain skeptical of the Maple Leafs until they genuinely prove their worth.
Matthew Tkachuk returned for the Playoffs, tallying three goals and two assists in the First Round for the Panthers. Sam Reinhart added two goals and four assists. Aleksander Barkov had one goal and four assists. Brad Marchand chipped in four assists, while Sam Bennett scored three goals and two assists.
Exceptional secondary scoring played a significant role in the Panthers' First Round victory, with Eetu Luostarinen leading the team with four points in their decisive Game 5 win over the Lightning. Carter Verhaeghe also contributed with two goals and one assist.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky posted a 4-1 record, 2.21 goals-against average, and a .901 save percentage in the series. While he wasn't flawless, his defense kept opponents at bay, allowing Bobrovsky to make key saves and help secure wins.
The Panthers will cover the spread as long as their four lines keep moving the puck and generating high-quality scoring chances. The defense must remain solid, and Bobrovsky must continue to make saves.
Why the Maple Leafs Will Cover the Spread/Win
Fans of the Maple Leafs rejoiced at their Second Round entry after disposing of the Senators. Now they must dethrone the reigning champions.
Auston Matthews must deliver big in this series and enters having two goals and five assists in the Playoffs. Mitchell Marner needs to add to his scoresheet, as he has one goal and seven assists.
William Nylander narrowly avoided missing out on the playoffs due to a silly mistake, but he did play and now has three goals and six assists. John Tavares has contributed three goals and two assists. However, the Maple Leafs need scoring from other sources. Matthew Knies will be crucial in this series, as he has two goals so far.
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz has performed well in the playoffs, going 4-2 with a 2.21 goals-against average and a save percentage of .901. Significantly, he must raise his game, and the defense must prevent the Panthers from getting easy shots.
The Maple Leafs will cover the spread if their top players can navigate a tough defense and produce quality scoring chances. They must avoid taking careless penalties and maintain momentum throughout the game.
Final Panthers-Maple Leafs Game 1 Prediction & Pick
Last season, the Panthers dropped Game 1 of the Second Round to the Boston Bruins 5-1. On the flip side, the last time the Leafs played a Game 1 was two seasons ago against the Panthers, losing 4-2 at home. Let's examine the numbers.
The Panthers have been tightly guarding the puck, thwarting one of the NHL's top offenses and winning all three road games. Conversely, the Leafs have been inconsistent, going 2-1 at home and struggling to get past the Senators. Until they show that they can get it done, it's difficult to trust the Leafs. I'm backing the Panthers to cover the spread and take Game 1 on the road.
Final Panthers-Maple Leafs Game 1 Prediction & Pick: Florida Panthers: -1.5 (+198)
Enrichment Data:- Various sources predict the entire series to be hotly contested, with the Panthers favored to win at -175, while the Maple Leafs sit at +150[1][4].- According to predictions, this series may extend to a deciding seventh game[2], suggesting a tight battle between the two formidable teams.
- The odds for Game 1 of the Panthers-Maple Leafs series show the Florida Panthers as a slight favorite, with a moneyline of -125, while the Toronto Maple Leafs have a moneyline of +104 [Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds: Panthers-Maple Leafs Game 1 Odds].
- In the season series, the Panthers emerged victorious against the Maple Leafs, securing a 3-1 sweep early on [Notably, the Panthers swept the season series against the Maple Leafs 3-1].
- Gleaming scoring contributions beyond the main players have been a key factor in the Panthers' success during the playoffs, with Eetu Luostarinen leading the team in Game 5 of their series against the Lightning [Exceptional secondary scoring played a significant role in the Panthers' First Round victory, with Eetu Luostarinen leading the team with four points in their decisive Game 5 win over the Lightning].
- Mitchell Marner of the Maple Leafs needs to make substantial contributions to the scoresheet to help propel his team to victory [William Nylander needs to add to his scoresheet, as he has three goals and six assists. John Tavares has contributed three goals and two assists. However, the Maple Leafs need scoring from other sources].
- Anthony Stolarz, the Maple Leafs' goaltender, will need to significantly raise his game to help his team claim victory in Game 1 [Goaltender Anthony Stolarz has performed well in the playoffs, going 4-2 with a 2.21 goals-against average and a save percentage of .901. Significantly, he must raise his game, and the defense must prevent the Panthers from getting easy shots].
- The Panthers' defense has played a crucial role in thwarting the opposition and giving their goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, a chance to make key saves [The Panthers will cover the spread as long as their four lines keep moving the puck and generating high-quality scoring chances. The defense must remain solid, and Bobrovsky must continue to make saves].
