Panthers vs Maple Leafs Prediction & Picks (March 29): Toronto’s Offense Shines at Scotiabank Arena

Wednesday, March 29’s NHL schedule might be light, but it does feature some exciting matchups. One of those is an Atlantic Division battle between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto has already won the first two Panthers vs Maple Leafs matchups of the season, leaving time to tell if Florida can finally pick up a win tonight.

Leafs Next Gen Gameday!#TimeToHunt (36-31-7, 4th Atlantic)
vs#LeafsForever (44-20-9, 2nd Atlantic)

Leafs are back in action for their second matchup with the Panthers out of 3 in a span of 18 days. Samsonov projects to start. pic.twitter.com/UZn1NFmp4Z

— x-Leafs Updates (44-20-9) (@LeafsUpdates21) March 29, 2023

The Panthers’ season is falling apart as they head into tonight’s meeting on a four-game losing streak. They were most recently in action Monday night, falling 5-2 to the Ottawa Senators. With Florida trying to make a play for the Eastern Conference’s final wild card spot, Paul Maurice’s club cannot afford another dismal effort.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs return home after going 3-2-0 on a five-game road trip. They ended the run with a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators as John Tavares scored twice while Joseph Woll stopped 23-of-25 shots sent his way.

Tuesday’s Panthers vs Maple Leafs matchup is filled with betting opportunities. The good news is that Betting News has not only gathered the game’s latest odds but also a prediction and the best bet to make.

Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Florida Panthers (36-31-7, 15-19-3 Away) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (44-20-9, 25-7-5 Home)
• Venue & Location: Scotiabank Arena (Toronto, Ontario)
• Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Panthers vs Maple Leafs TV Info: ESPN+

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Wednesday, March 29 at 9:45 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Florida Panthers +1.5 (-176)
• Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 (+146)

Over/Under

• Over 7.5 Goals (+138)
• Under 7.5 Goals (-170)

Moneyline

• Florida Panthers +126
• Toronto Maple Leafs -152

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Betting Trends

• Florida is 1-4 straight up in its last five games.
• Toronto is 5-2 straight up in its last seven home games.
• The total has hit the over in nine of Florida’s last 12 road games.
• The total has hit the over in five of Toronto’s last six games.
• The total has hit the over in seven of the last nine Florida-Toronto matchups.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Game Preview

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to find out why the Panthers have been struggling.

Goaltending has all but disappeared for the Panthers. They’re allowing 5.3 goals per game during their losing streak, surrendering at least four in each contest.

Starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has made three starts over that stretch, recording a 4.43 goals-against average and .862 save percentage along the way. Don’t count on that trend changing tonight, though.

Bobrovsky has had his issues with the Maple Leafs over the last few years. In his last seven starts against Toronto, the Russian netminder has only won twice while playing to a 4.24 GAA and .868 SV%.

Even if the Panthers opt to run with backup goalie Alex Lyon, it’s hardly an improvement. Lyon has a 4.05 GAA while finishing with a sub-.900 SV% four times in his last eight starts.

Neither goaltender’s numbers are encouraging when the Panthers are about to go up against a team possessing offensive threats like Tavares, Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner, just to name a few.

.@HeyRedDeer on why goaltending & injuries derailed the Panthers season, who is the second best team in the East & why vasilevskiy makes him lean toward the Lightning in a playoff series vs the Leafs #LeafsForever #TimeToHunt https://t.co/IFv2Mbh3al

— TSN 1050 Toronto (@TSN1050Radio) March 29, 2023

It’s hard not to imagine the Maple Leafs winning when they’ve completely dominated the Panthers this season. In the two previous victories, Toronto outscored Florida a combined 11-6, which includes tallying a 6-2 win at FLA Live Arena just six days ago.

Unfortunately, things get worse for the Panthers, having not won a game at Scotiabank Arena since February 2020. They’ve lost nine of their last 10 road games against the Leafs as well, surrendering at least five goals in four of their last five trips to “The 6ix.”

It’ll be interesting to see if Matthews and William Nylander continue getting the better of the Panthers. The duo leads all Toronto players with three goals apiece against Florida this season. According to BetOnline Sportsbook, Matthews is at -125 odds to score tonight while Nylander sits at +130.

In addition to needing their best players to score, the Maple Leafs could also use a strong performance between the pipes. Daily Faceoff currently points to the starting goaltender being Matt Murray, who has a 3.60 GAA and .893 SV% in his last five starts. Having said that, he did win three of those contests.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Prediction and Picks

Panthers vs Maple Leafs Prediction: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 3

Panthers vs Maple Leafs: Maple Leafs -1.5 (Best Value: +146 at BetOnline) & Auston Matthews to Score (Best Value: -125 at BetOnline)

The Maple Leafs are the clear-cut better team and have already punched their playoff ticket. The Panthers have been horrific and their poor goaltending will only make it tougher to win against an offensively gifted team. The Leafs shouldn’t have any issues winning this game by a multi-goal margin.

As for another bet worth making, back Auston Matthews to score at -125 odds on BetOnline Sportsbook. After all, he has six goals in the last seven Panthers vs Maple Leafs matchups and has scored at least once in each of his two meetings with Florida this season. Considering how he has eight goals in his last 10 games overall, don’t be surprised if Matthews finds the twine again.

Other Florida vs Toronto Betting Resources

• Panthers vs Maple Leafs Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats