The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to host the Florida Panthers for a crucial Game 5 in the conference semifinals of the 2025 NHL playoffs this Wednesday. The defending Stanley Cup champions leveled the second-round series at 2-2 after a 2-0 victory over the Leafs in Game 4 last Sunday. The game will take place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m. ET.
Florida is currently favored at -136 on the money line (bet $136 to win $100), while Toronto is an underdog at +115 (bet $100 to win $115). The total goals over/under is set at 6, and the Panthers are positioned at -1.5 (+179) on the puck line. Before placing any bets on the Panthers vs. Maple Leafs, check the predictions from SportsLine’s proven model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times and starts the second week of the conference semifinals with a record of 79-55 on top-rated NHL puck-line and over/under betting picks, yielding over $1,600 for $100 players. bettors following the model have reaped significant returns.
Here are some of the best bets for the Maple Leafs vs. Panthers matchup:
Maple Leafs +1.5 (-219)
The first three games of this series were decided by just a goal, as were three of the five games the Leafs played on home ice this postseason. Game 4 in Florida also remained a one-goal game until Sam Bennett scored in the third period, bringing the score to 2-0. The SportsLine model predicts the Leafs will cover the puck line in over 70% of simulations.
Want more to consider? Matt Severance, SportsLine’s leading NHL expert, has been outstanding, entering the playoffs with a record of 120-62, netting $2,490 for $100 players. Check out his best bets for this conflict.
William Nylander over 2.5 shots on goal (-140)
Nylander has recorded more than two shots on goal four times during the current playoff series, including a total of four shots in Game 4. In this postseason, he has tallied 15 points (six goals, nine assists) on 28 shots on goal, proving challenging for the Panthers defense to handle.
This player prop is available at -140 odds at BetMGM Sportsbook, which is offering up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses.
Looking for further NHL picks on Wednesday? Matt Severance has built a strong track record during the playoffs with a 120-62 rate across his NHL picks.
Aleksander Barkov over 2.5 shots on goal (+110)
Barkov, the Panthers top-line center, has performed well against the Maple Leafs throughout the season, accumulating three points (one goal, two assists) and six shots in their regular season encounters. He has successfully registered four or more shots on target in three of his last four playoff games.
