Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, NHL Odds
The Maple Leafs return home on the heels of Saturday’s 4-3 overtime road loss to the New York Islanders, which earned them at least a point in their sixth straight overall outing and lifted them to within four points of a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Panthers open in six-game road trip in Toronto after snapping a two-game slide with Sunday’s 2-1 win over Colorado, and have posted decisive wins in each of their past three away contests.
The Maple Leafs enter Tuesday’s action as +100 underdogs on the NHL odds. The Panthers lead the way as slim -120 favourites, and the total is pegged at 6.
Panthers vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
The Leafs skated to a 4-1 over the Panthers in their first meeting of the season in Florida flour weeks ago, and have taken two of three in head-to-head action to snap a three-game losing streak. Toronto has also topped the Panthers in five of seven regular season meetings on home ice, while limiting Florida to just 2.71 goals scored per game over that stretch. Low scoring has been a recurring theme when these rivals meet, with the total topping 6.0 just twice during an 8-3 run for the UNDER.
Overall, the Maple Leafs have rediscovered their scoring touch during their current 4-0-2 run, averaging 4.67 goals per game and have potted 26 total goals during their 5-0-0 run at home, but with the club limiting opponents to two or fewer goals in three of their past five home dates, the OVER has gone a middling 3-2 over that stretch. The Panthers struggled to generate consistent results of the Holidays, failing to tally consecutive wins during a 3-3-1 run that leaves them two points outside the playoff picture in the East. However, they have outgunned opponents by a 14-4 combined margin during their three-game win streak on the road, and have gone 8-3-0 away from Amerant Bank Arena since falling to defeat in their first four road games of the season.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers travel north of the border on a high after handing the league-leading Colorado Avalanche just their third regulation loss of the season in Sunday’s 2-1 win. Sam Bennett opened the scoring with his 14th goal of the season to extend his current points streak to nine games, but failed to record a shot on goal while being held pointless in last month’s 4-1 loss to Toronto. Brad Marchand saw a 10-game points streak snapped in Sunday’s win but continues to lead the Panthers with 23 goals and 23 assists. Sam Reinhart saw a seven-game point streak in which he scored six times and added six helpers end on Sunday. However, the club should be buoyed by the news that injured star Matthew Tkachuk will be joining them on this road trip. A date has not been set for Tkachuk’s return to action, but he is expected to suit up sometime during this upcoming junket.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs will be missing the services of William Nylander on Tuesday night after the club’s top producer was place on injured reserve with a lower body injury that has forced him to miss the past four games. However, Nylander’s absence has not slowed down Auston Matthews, who has caught fire since Christmas, scoring eight times and adding four assists during a sizzling four-game points streak. Bobby McMann has also emerged as an unexpected source of offence. The 29-year-old has earned himself increased ice time while racking up four goals and four assists over the past eight games, and contributed a pair of helpers in last month’s 4-1 win in Florida. John Tavares was held off the scoresheet in Saturday’s loss but has tallied a goal and three helpers during a four-game points streak on home ice.
