We’ve got eight games on the NHL betting slate tonight, including a matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers.
Florida is favored to snag the win tonight, but plenty of NHL picks will be on Auston Matthews as he attempts to make history in the Sunshine State.
Find out if I will be too in my Maple Leafs vs Panthers predictions for this April 16 matchup.
Maple Leafs vs Panthers prediction
My best bet
Auston Matthews anytime goalscorer (-110 at SIA)
My analysis
The Florida Panthers get set to close out their regular season tonight when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs down in Sunrise. Toronto has won two of the three meetings so far this season, but Florida has been rolling lately and has a chance to win the division with a victory and a Bruins loss tonight.
That said, I’m staring at the prop market for my best bet, and I’m looking for Auston Matthews to make history and score his 70th goal of the season tonight at -110 odds.
Matthews is now sitting on 69 goals and has scored in eight straight games, including a two-goal effort against the Panthers back on April 1. He’s had some success against Florida throughout his career, scoring 15 goals in 25 games, and scoring seven times over the last seven meetings.
Three things should help him hit that milestone tonight.
Firstly, the return of Mitch Marner to his flank. Max Domi is out with an injury, which gives Sheldon Keefe a chance to reunite his bet duo. Matthews has averaged 1.66 goals per 60 minutes while with Marner over the last three seasons, and how fitting would it be for him to help get AM34 No. 70?
Secondly, the power play has shown some promise since Marner returned from injury five games ago. March was abysmal for the Leafs' man advantage, but it has rebounded in their last five games with three goals — two of which came off the stick of Matthews.
And lastly, Toronto has been elite when it comes to scoring on the road. It has the top road offense in the NHL, averaging 3.62 goals per game, which is led by Matthews’ league-leading 30 goals as the away team.
Time is running out for the Leafs sniper to hit a milestone that hasn’t been done in 31 years. I fully expect Toronto to force-feed him pucks early and often tonight until he scores and reaches the 70-goal plateau.
Maple Leafs vs Panthers same-game parlay (SGP)
Matthews anytime goalscorer
Under 7.5 goals
Panthers Over 2.5 goals
Florida has scored three or more in five straight games, while the Leafs have allowed four or more goals in back-to-back games and have given up at least three goals in six of their last 10 outings.
For my final leg, I’ll take the alternate Under of 7.5 total goals. The Under is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings between these two teams, as both sides play each other fairly tight. Plus, the Panthers have gone Under this number in five straight games and eight of the last 10, while shutting out their opposition three times over that stretch.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Maple Leafs vs Panthers odds
Maple Leafs vs Panthers live odds
Maple Leafs vs Panthers opening odds
- Puck line: Toronto +1.5 (-225) | Florida -1.5 (+185)
- Moneyline: Toronto +105 | Florida -125
- Over/Under: Over 6.0 (-120) | Under 6.0 (+100)
Maple Leafs vs Panthers moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- The Maple Leafs are +130 road dogs while Florida is -130 on the ML
- The Leafs have won two of three meetings, but the Panthers have a 25-15 ML home record
- The total is set at a flat 6.0 with the Over around -120 odds, but the Cats are allowing an average of one goal over their last five.
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Maple Leafs vs Panthers trend
The Maple Leafs have won the third period Over in 10 of their last 13 games. Find more NHL betting trends for Maple Leafs vs. Panthers.
Maple Leafs vs Panthers game info
| Location: | Amerant Arena, Sunrise, FL |
| Date: | Tuesday, 4-16-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:40 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN, TSN4 |
Maple Leafs vs Panthers latest injuries
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