The Toronto Maple Leafs return home to Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night for Game 5 of their second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00PM ET. The best-of-seven series is tied 2-2 after Florida won back-to-back games on home ice to even things up.
Toronto started the series strong with two wins, but Florida responded with a 5-4 overtime win in Game 3 and a 2-0 shutout in Game 4. Now the series is down to a best-of-three. Both teams are looking to take control and move closer to a spot in the Eastern Conference Final.
Maple Leafs Preview – Stars Need to Step Up at Home
Toronto finished the regular season first in the Atlantic Division with a 52-26-2-2 record. They had the upper hand early in this series but failed to hold onto a two-goal lead in Game 3 and were blanked in Game 4. Their top offensive players have gone cold over the past two games.
Auston Matthews has yet to score in this series. Mitch Marner has just one shot on goal in his last three games. John Tavares opened the playoffs strong but has only scored twice in this series, both in Game 3. Head coach Craig Berube wants his forwards to be less selective and start putting more pucks on net from different angles.
Joseph Woll remains the starting goalie with Anthony Stolarz out due to injury. Woll made 35 saves in Game 4, keeping the Maple Leafs in the game despite being under pressure early. Toronto will look to bounce back on home ice, where they won 28 games during the regular season. Their offense needs a push to regain momentum.
Panthers Preview – Defense and Goaltending Fueling the Comeback
Florida enters Game 5 with the series tied after back-to-back wins at home. The Panthers finished third in the Atlantic with a 47-31-4-0 record. They’ve now held the Maple Leafs scoreless in five straight periods and are playing more physical hockey.
Sam Bennett scored in Game 4 and leads the team with five goals this postseason. Florida has eight players with at least eight points in the playoffs. Their forwards helped support the defense in Game 4, limiting open ice and keeping Toronto’s top line from generating quality chances.
Coach Paul Maurice credited the team’s effort from the neutral zone to their own end. Florida’s defense was sharper in Games 3 and 4 after giving up 13 goals over the first two games. The Panthers will try to keep this style going as they head into a pivotal road game. Their playoff experience over the last two seasons is showing up again.
Betting Prediction
The Maple Leafs are slight favorites on the moneyline, but the momentum has shifted to Florida. The Panthers have found their game and are limiting Toronto’s scoring chances. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs’ top players are struggling to create offense, and the pressure is mounting at home.
The total is set at 5.5. Three of the four games in the series have gone under that mark, and Game 4 showed how tight things can get when both teams commit to defense. Florida has more scoring balance right now, and if they continue to control the pace and win puck battles, they can steal another game on the road.
Pick: Florida Panthers +120
