Maple Leafs vs Panthers Prediction & Odds - 5/5/2025

The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs renew their bitter Atlantic Division rivalry as they clash in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference second-round playoff series on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena.

The defending champion Panthers enter on a high after dispatching Tampa Bay in five games, while Toronto looks to build on their newfound grit under Craig Berube after eliminating Ottawa in six.

With Florida winning the lone previous playoff meeting in 2023 and holding a 6-3-1 advantage in the last 10 matchups, this series promises high-stakes hockey as both teams aim to establish early momentum.

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Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers preview

The Panthers and Maple Leafs renew their bitter Atlantic Division rivalry Tuesday night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference second-round playoff series, a rematch of their 2023 meeting where Florida dominated en route to an eventual Stanley Cup championship run.

Craig Berube's Maple Leafs aren't the same old Toronto squad, having dispatched Ottawa behind balanced scoring beyond their Core Four, with unlikely heroes Max Pacioretty, Max Domi, and Simon Benoit delivering clutch goals.

The defending Cup champion Panthers enter with momentum after dismantling Tampa Bay in five games, showcasing their road prowess by winning all three away contests in that series.

Both teams have excelled defensively in the postseason—Toronto ranks fourth allowing just 2.67 goals per game while Florida sits second at 2.40—suggesting a tight-checking affair at Scotiabank Arena.

The goaltending battle pits Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky (.914 career save percentage) against Anthony Stolarz, who's been steady for Toronto with a .917 career mark.

Recent history favors the Panthers with a 6-3-1 edge in their last ten meetings, but the Maple Leafs' newfound grit and physical edge under Berube could make this series far more competitive than their previous playoff encounter.

Key stats

1

Toronto sits 2nd in the Eastern Conference with 108 points from 82 games

2

The Maple Leafs have won 52 games this season while Florida has won 47

3

Toronto enters with strong form (WWWWW) while Florida has been inconsistent (LLWWW)

4

The Maple Leafs hold a goal differential of +37 compared to Florida's +29

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