The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are off to a thrilling start, and the highly anticipated first game of the second-round series between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs is set for Monday. This crucial matchup will take place at Scotiabank Arena at 8 p.m. ET. Previously, the Panthers triumphed over the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, while the Maple Leafs advanced after defeating the Ottawa Senators in six.
In the latest betting lines, Florida is favored at -126 on the money line (wagering $126 to win $100), whereas Toronto is positioned as the +106 underdog (a $100 bet wins $106). The over/under for total goals is set at 5.5, with the Panthers at -1.5 (+200) on the puck line. Prior to placing any bets on this game, check out the NHL predictions from SportsLine’s esteemed model.
SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times, showing an overall performance of 78-55 on top picks for puck line and over/under bets, indicating a profit of over $1,500 for $100 players. Here are the top betting predictions for the matchup:
Maple Leafs Money Line (+106)
Despite the Panthers being the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Maple Leafs had a superior season overall. Toronto clinched the Atlantic Division with a strong 108 points, while Florida lagged behind with 98 points, finishing third in their division. Despite the Panthers winning three out of four during the regular season, they will be without top defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who is suspended for two games. The model estimates Toronto’s victory probability at 49%, making the currently available odds at Caesars a smart bet.
Other Key Bets Include:
- Mitchell Marner Under 1.5 Points (-225): Marner has gone under his points total in four of his last five games and faces a tough challenge against Florida.
- Matthew Tkachuk Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-135): Tkachuk averages three shots on goal over his last eight games against Toronto.
For more insights from NHL expert Matt Severance, check out his segment on SportsLine, showcasing his incredible 138-66-7 record in prior betting picks.
