The eighth-seeded Florida Panthers continue to surprise, as they pulled off a huge win in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs find themselves on the back foot; a position that they’re all too familiar with. Can Toronto avoid falling into a deep hole early into the series?

Nitrobetting is here to turn your betting slapshots into winning goals with betting tips and news coverage throughout the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. This time, let’s break down the upcoming Game 2 conference semifinal showdown between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 2 2023 NHL Playoffs Second-Round Information

• When: Thursday, May 4, 2023, 7:00 PM ET
• Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
• TV: TNT, CBC, SN, TVAS
• Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM (Panthers) // TSN 1050 (Maple Leafs)
• Live Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Betting Odds: Panthers (+1.5) / Maple Leafs (-1.5)

READ MORE: Oilers vs. Golden Knights 2023 NHL Playoffs Odds and Game 1 Preview – May 3rd

Why Bet on the Florida Panthers?

The Florida Panthers are the hottest team in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs as we speak with a four-game win streak that culminates with Tuesday’s 4-2 Game 1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida staged a captivating rally from a 3-1 series deficit against the record-setting Boston Bruins and the team’s momentum has certainly carried over into the second round.

The Panthers have scored at least four goals in each of their past four wins, with center Carter Verheghe scoring a goal in back-to-back starts. Star forward Matthew Tkachuk also had his hand in three of his team’s goals with three assists as Florida’s offense continues to get production from just about anyone on their lines.

Above all else, Sergei Bobrovsky had 34 saves for a .944 save percentage. With Bobrovsky looking closer to his former two-time Vezina Trophy-winning form in Game 1, the Panthers could have a lethal combination to go the distance this postseason.

Why Bet on the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Similar to their first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Toronto Maple Leafs drop the opening game of their conference semifinal series with a sudden power outage from their relatively potent offense. Toronto tied Tuesday’s contest at two goals apiece in the second period but gave up two more goals to Florida and never managed to catch up.

The Maple Leafs were the more aggressive team on the attack in Game 1, outshooting the Panthers 36-28. Florida even ceded 10 minutes in total penalties but was not able to capitalize on their power-play opportunities. We expect to have the likes of superstars Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Morgan Reilly – Marner and Reilly have a combined 17 goals this postseason – to bounce back in a must-win situation on Thursday.

What’s more concerning for the Leafs has to be goalie Ilya Samsonov’s return to mediocre play between the pipes. After a phenomenal showing in Game 7 against the Lightning, Samsonov gave up three or more goals for the fourth time in his last five starts. Seeing how Florida’s offense has posed a problem to the best teams in the East thus far, the 26-year-old Russian stopper has got to get his reflexes back in check.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Betting Trends

• The Panthers are 8-1 in the last nine road games.
• The Panthers have won four straight contests as underdogs.
• The totals went over in three of Florida’s last four road games.
• The Maple Leafs are 1-3 in the last four home games.
• The Leafs are 3-2 in its last five meetings against the Panthers.
• The totals went under in each of Toronto’s last three outings.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 2 Expert Betting Predictions

Considering how Toronto hasn’t been able to close out games on its own home ice lately, we’re more inclined to bet on the scorching-hot Panthers to ride their momentum toward another victory. The Leafs have too much firepower on their roster, though, so we expect Game 2 to be a more high-scoring affair and a more competitive one to ward the end of the bout as well.

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