Opportunities abound based on different viewpoints as we examine betting odds, props, and predictions for the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers Game 5 of the NHL Eastern Conference semifinals.
More NHL wagering: Odds to win Stanley Cup
Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 5 Odds
Toronto opened at -180 at DraftKings following its 2-1 Game 4 triumph in Florida that extended its season on Wednesday night.
The Leafs on the puck line opened at +140.
The Panthers secured +155 on the moneyline and odds of -165 getting a goal and a half on the puck line.
The Over-Under of 6.5 prompted some juice (Over -125, Under +105).
Here are current Panthers-Leafs Game 5 betting lines from the best sports betting apps in the market.
NHL · Fri (5/12) @ 7:15pm ET
| FLA Panthers | at | TOR Maple Leafs |
| Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario | ||
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Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 5 Betting Trends
Bigger wagers support the idea that if the Leafs win, they will do it big. Smaller bets are tilted more toward the Panthers.
Toronto nabbed 75% of the puck-line handle, while Florida grabbed 65% of the tickets.
The Panthers tabbed 69% of the moneyline handle and 64% of the tickets as gamblers like the price. Toronto at -180 is not perceived as good value.
The books made the Over a slight favorite, but gamblers flock en masse to the Under with 88% of the handle and 72% of the tickets.
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Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 5 Betting News
The big stat from Game 4 wasn’t a goal, a particular save, or the freaky bounce off an official that helped enable the opening goal for Toronto.
It was blocked shots.
Toronto had 21 of them. That’s a healthy number and the Leafs played with the most defensive confidence they have shown all postseason.
There was much made of Joseph Woll’s 24 saves in relief of injured Toronto netminder Ilya Samsonov, but he also benefitted from the blanket his team constructed in the slot.
Toronto was aggressive defensively and could have won by more.
Sergei Bobrovsky made the harder saves and kept Florida within stealing distance all game long. He made an absolute beauty on Leafs captain John Tavares with a breakaway near the end of the second period. That kept the score 1-0.
Overall, the Leafs outworked the Panthers in the trenches.
William Nylander and Matt Marner finally got goals.
Betting on Home Turnaround
Oddity of oddities, the Leafs have lost their last three home playoff games. That includes Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning and the first two of this series.
Toronto’s only home playoff victory was a 7-3 romp over the Lightning in Game 2 of the opening series. Signs point to Toronto being due, even overdue, for a breakout home effort.
Puck Line Betting Trend Considerations for NHL Playoffs
That Game 2 triumph ties back to an interesting betting nugget for these playoffs: the puck line.
Gamblers love the value of the puck line versus the moneyline and are willing to lay a goal and a half to get plus numbers.
In this series, that hasn’t paid off. The last three games have been determined by one goal.
Betting results of the other three series, however, are much different.
Of the 12 individual games in the other three conference semifinals, 11 have a winning margin of more than one goal.
This indicates that gamblers have profited either by taking the puck line on the favorite or by laying the goals in an alternate line for the underdog.
These trends are cyclical and gamblers don’t know when a hot goalie will show up to keep a game close. But they show that bettors with a hunch on decisive victories have done a Cha-Ching dance during this playoff round.
That has been completely opposite from the first playoff set in which numerous games went into overtime.
Bettors Wonder if Leafs Offense Can Break Out
The Leafs unfurl an oddity of scoring exactly two goals in each of the last five games. They are 2-3 over that span, both wins in 2-1 games, and each triumph was critical.
The first closed out the opening series with Tampa Bay. The second kept Toronto’s second-round playoff series going.
But there’s no long-term success if the Leafs can’t reach three or four goals in some matchups.
Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 5 Betting Prices
The Panthers are still -425 chalk to win the series. Bettors thinking the Leafs can get all the way back to win the series get +320.
Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 5 Betting Props (FanDuel)
Anytime Scorer and Betting Observation
Auston Matthews -105 and is due.
William Nylander +120 and just got his first.
John Tavares +140. Good price on the Leafs captain, who was stoned on a breakaway that would have put Game 4 away.
Mitch Marner +185. Finally lit the lamp.
Matthew Tkachuk +130. The heart and soul of the Florida offense.
Carter Verhaeghe +230. A penchant for the big goal.
Sam Reinhart +240. Under-the-radar player, gets good value.
Anthony Duclair +380. Love this guy. Quietly having a strong series.
Goal in First 10 Minutes of the Game: Yes -172, No +134
Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 5 Prediction
Leafs win at home. No moneyline value, will take Tavares to score and Tavares Goal/Leafs win parlay at best odds. Spot play on Verhaeghe and Duclair anytime scorers.
How to Watch Panthers vs. Maple Leafs Game 5
Game Date: Friday, May 12, 2023
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Canada
Channel: TNT
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