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- What: Game 5 NHL Eastern Conference Round 2 Playoffs
- Who: Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
- Date: Friday, May 12, 2023
- Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: TNT, CBC, SN, TVAS
A phrase that teams like to use during the NHL playoffs is that a series is won one game at a time. On Wednesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the first game of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers. With that win, the Maple Leafs still have to overcome long odds if they hope to win the 2023 NHL Playoff series against the Panthers, as they are down 3-1 in the seven games series, but they played well in Florida and sent the series back to Toronto for tonight’s Game 5.
The story of Game 4 of the Maple Leafs vs. Panther series was goaltending, while Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky made some spectacular saves, he allowed one more goal than Toronto’s Joseph Woll, who was forced into emergency duty when starting goalie, Ilya Samsonov, suffered an injury in Game 3. Woll, who only saw duty in seven games during the 2023 NHL regular season, gave up one goal on 25 shots for the win. The 24-year-old will be back in the crease for Game 5 of the 2023 NHL Playoff semifinal round game against the Panthers.
Game 5 of the Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs 2023 NHL playoff series takes place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Friday night. Before we look at the betting breakdown for that game, check out our guide to betting on the 2023 Stanley Cup and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs betting picks for Game 5
| To Win Game 5 NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Series |  |  |  |  |  |
| Florida Panthers | +153 | +155 | +155 | +160 | +142 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -170 | -180 | -175 | -180 | -175 |
Florida Panthers betting breakdown
The Florida Panthers franchise record playoff winning streak ended Wednesday night after six straight wins. Florida did not play a bad game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the team did not adjust to the changes the Maple Leafs made defensively to support Joseph Woll in net. Expect the Panthers to make the offensive changes they need to find success in Game 5. The team needs to take more shots, even from “bad” angles, to put pressure on the Maple Leafs’ defense and crash the net to pick up rebounds.
Matthew Tkachuk has been the emotional leader of the Panthers during the 2023 NHL playoffs. Tkachuk is also leading the team in scoring with 16 points. Florida’s top goal scorers are Brandon Montour and Sam Reinhart, who have each scored six goals this postseason. Tkachuk is second on the team with five markers.
Sergei Bobrovsky did not get the win on Wednesday, but he was not the reason the Panthers lost. Bobrovsky made some spectacular and memorable saves in the game. He is giving the Panthers every chance he can to win games this postseason.
Toronto Maple Leafs betting breakdown
The Maple Leafs did an excellent job of collapsing in front of goaltender Joseph Woll and preventing the Florida Panthers from getting a lot of quality shots on goal. The Leafs finished the game with 21 blocked shots. Toronto needs to keep up that style of play going into Game 5. The club also needs to be aware that Florida will change up its offensive attack tonight.
The Maple Leafs have struggled in the 2023 NHL playoffs when they have scored three or fewer goals. The team’s record in those games is now 2-5. Toronto has scored two goals in each game against the Panthers. Toronto needs to score more than two goals to feel safe against a team as strong as the Florida Panthers. Auston Matthews has yet to score a goal for the Maple Leafs in this series. That needs to change.
Woll played well in net in Game 4 for the Maple Leafs. He made 24 saves on 25 shots for the win.
Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Playoff Series Schedule
- Game 5: Fri., May 12: Panthers at Maple Leafs, 7:00 p.m.; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
- Game 6*: Sun., May 14: Maple Leafs at Panthers, TBD; SN, CBC, TVAS
- Game 7*: Tue., May 16: Panthers at Maple Leafs, TBD; TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS
*If necessary
Best bets for Game 5 Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs played their best game of the second round NHL playoffs on Wednesday night. The club will be hard-pressed to repeat that performance tonight in front of a home crowd at Scotiabank Arena. The Florida Panthers did not play poorly, but they didn’t adjust to the defensive change the Maple Leafs made in Game 4. Florida will not make that mistake again. The best bet for Game 5 is to pick the Florida Panthers to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs and head to the 2023 NHL Eastern Conference Finals.
Pick: Florida Panthers to beat Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of the 2023 NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Semifinals.
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