Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Predictions, Odds, & Best Bets: Game 6

The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the brink of elimination after losing 6-1 to the Florida Panthers in Game 5 on Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena. 

Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll surrendered five goals on 25 shots in just over 46 minutes of action, while his counterpart, Sergei Bobrovsky, followed up a Game 4 shutout by stopping 31 of the 32 shots he faced.

Before this second-round series shifts back to Florida on Friday night, I’ll examine the latest hockey betting lines and make my Panthers vs. Maple Leafs best bets for Game 6.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Odds: Game 6

• Panthers spread: -1.5
• Maple Leafs spread: +1.5
• Total: 5.5

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Series Winner Odds

After winning Game 5, the Panthers saw their series winner odds shorten from -200 to -833 at the BetMGM online sportsbook. That price gives Florida an implied probability of 89.3% to reach the conference finals.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs’ odds to win the series lengthened from +165 to +550, implying Toronto has just a 15.4% chance to win Games 6 and 7.

The Maple Leafs’ Stanley Cup odds fell significantly due to their Game 5 setback, dropping from +800 to +2500.

Panthers series winner odds: -833

Maple Leafs series winner odds: +550

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Predictions & Best Bets for Game 6

After losing the first two games of this series in Toronto, Florida has won three straight to move within touching distance of a third consecutive conference finals berth.

I think the defending Stanley Cup champions close out this series on home ice Friday night, so I’m backing the Panthers -1.5 (+115) as my best NHL betting pick for Game 6.

The Cats have outscored the Leafs 8-1 since Brad Marchand netted the series-tilting goal in overtime of Game 3 and covered the puck line in Games 3 and 4. Florida has asserted its defensive dominance on the forecheck and slowed down Toronto’s star players. 

Bobrovsky has also upped his game significantly. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner posted a -5.51 goals saved above expected across Games 1-3, per MoneyPuck, but essentially made up that difference with a 4.85 mark over the past two contests.

Despite the Florida netminder’s impressive form, I’m backing Game 6 to feature over 5.5 goals (-115). This wager has hit in four of the series’ five games, and I expect Toronto’s offence to muster more than it has in the last two games. 

There’s also a good chance we could see an empty-net tally or two late in the game if the Leafs have to throw everything at the Panthers to try to keep their season alive.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Series Schedule

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Playoff History

This series will be the second playoff meeting between the Panthers and Maple Leafs. 

Florida won the first matchup, contested in Round 2 of the 2023 postseason, in five games.