Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Florida Panthers taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs in this crucially important Game 1 of their second-round series. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVAS
This set of NHL predictions takes a look at the opening game of the second-round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Atlantic Division rivals. The Panthers and Maple Leafs do battle for the second time in three postseasons. Florida dispatched Toronto (also in the second round) in five games in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
There are some different faces on the roster. However, a number of the same players are involved in this series like they were in 2023. Florida made a run to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Cats have designs on a repeating and making their third straight final.
Toronto seems a bit deeper than last year. However, the ghosts of 1967 will always haunt the franchise until the Leafs finally vanquish that demon. Let’s take a look at the stats and storylines for Game 1 in this round of NHL predictions.
Florida took out the rival Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round in five games. The Panthers were struggling with injuries in the latter part of the season. However, they were able to shake off any injury rust to take down in their in-state opponents.
The addition of Brad Marchand and his given the team even more edge to the roster. Sam Reinhart leads the team in points with a number of players just one point behind with five. This depth makes Florida a very dangerous team.
Sergei Bobrovsky is the expected starter for the Panthers and has been pretty solid this post-season. He amassed a 2.21 goals-against-average and a .901 save percentage.
Toronto had some nervy moments, but got past the rival Ottawa Senators in six games. The Leafs raced out to a 3-0 series lead, but the Senators made things exciting before Toronto took care of business in the Canadian national capital.
William Nylander had a great opening-round with nine points, including three goals. Mitch Marner has netted eight points and Auston Matthews has seven so far for Toronto.
Anthony Stolarz as been one of the reasons that the Maple Leafs held steady despite dropping Games 4 and 5. However, the former Panthers goalie hasn’t had an extended run of starts in his career.
Toronto does have the home-ice advantage and seems to also be a deeper team. However, Florida has the experience and lineup depth that can be physical to the Leafs key players.
The goaltending advantage also swings towards Florida. Stolarz has played well, but Bobrovsky has gone through the wars of deep playoff runs. Florida gets home ice back with the victory.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for tonight’s game is 5.5 and we feel the over just gets over the line in this one.
For individual props, go with Anton Lundell to get a point in this game for the Panthers. As for the Maple Leafs, take John Tavares to get a power-play point in this game.
Main photo by: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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