Face-off: 1900 ET, 23/04/2022
Arena: FLA Live Arena
Florida are chasing top spot in the NHL table and the Presidents’ Trophy after 12 straight wins and that spells trouble for Toronto.
The Maple Leafs have also booked a place in the playoffs but appeared to rest on their laurels when thrashed at Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Any similar drop in intensity here would make 2.05 for a home win in regular time look a gift for our Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs predictions.
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Florida Panthers Odds
Florida are assured of being the number one seed in the Eastern Conference but are still battling it out with Colorado for top spot overall.
The Panthers tied a franchise record when making it a dozen victories on the bounce by cruising past Detroit 5-2 at FLA Live Arena on Thursday.
Defenseman MacKenzie Weegar said: “I think we’ve been pretty hot all year, honestly, and we just try to build up our game every night.
“That’s pretty much been the message going down the stretch here – just keep building our game, the right habits, and then it’ll lead to success in the playoffs.”
Florida are now 33-6-0 on home ice but a positive approach to getting forward does mean they can get caught out at the back.
The Panthers have conceded more than one goal in eight of their recent wins, so 2.85 for them to prevail in regular time and let in at least two here appeals from the NHL odds.
Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Toronto were on an 11-1-1 hot streak heading to Tampa Bay but simply failed to turn up and paid the price with a humbling 8-1 defeat.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe offered no excuses and stated: “To me, it was clear that the game meant more to them than it did to us.
“It showed in how they played and how they competed. That’s what happens when that’s the case.
“You get a little sample of how hard you need to play and how well you need to play to be able to beat a team of that quality when they’re playing at that level.”
Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews missed out again through injury and his continued absence suggests Toronto are keen to freshen up for the playoffs.
With Washington waiting tomorrow night and then Detroit and Boston visiting Scotiabank Arena, they have time to ease up again here and then try to regroup.
For now, we’re finishing off our NHL predictions by taking 21.0 for a 4-2 Florida victory.
Additional stats
Last result:
FLORIDA 5-2 Detroit
Tampa Bay 8-1 TORONTO
Season head-to-head: Florida 7-6 Toronto, Toronto 5-2 Florida
