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 winner-take-all Game 7 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: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: CBC; Sportsnet; TVAS; TNT, TruTV; Max
Tonight’s edition of NHL predictions is a going to be a good one. There are no better words to hear than Game 7. This matchup between the Panthers and Maple Leafs is setting up to be a big one. The winner of this game will get the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final on Tuesday.
Many had written off Toronto after Florida reeled off three straight victories. However, Joseph Woll got the shutout and Auston Matthews finally found the scoresheet. That win sets up a winner-take-all matchup at Scotiabank Arena.
Let’s take a look at the stats and storylines heading into this latest edition of NHL predictions.
Florida had all the momentum going into a potentially series-clinching Game 6. However, Woll played one of his best games of his career with 22 saves. It seemed that the Panthers weren’t able to crack the Leaf’s defence.
Sergei Bobrovsky gets the start for Florida, but he’s been inconsistent at times in this series. He can turn into “Playoff Bob” and make spectacular saves. However, he can also have games where we struggles.
One thing Florida has going for it is depth-scoring. Sam Reinhart leads the team in points with 10, but eight players in total have at least eight points for the Panthers.
Woll played great in Game 6, but there is going to be the question of Anthony Stolarz and his availability. Stolarz didn’t travel with the team for Game 6, but has been on the ice as of late.
Matthews quieted his critics for a little while at least with his goal. Max Pacioretty also tallied a big insurance goal for the Maple Leafs to make it 2-0.
William Nylander leads the team in points with 15 while Mitch Marner has notched 13 this post-season. However, depth scoring may be the difference in the outcome of this series.
Toronto has had plenty of heartbreak in Game 7s in recent memory. However, this is a Game 7 that will be played home. The Leafs did lose a Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens the last time there was one at home.
Panthers Head Coach is also 5-0 in Game 7s in his career. It seems that all of these trends add up to Florida breaking Toronto fan’s hearts again.
Prediction: Panthers win 3-2.
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for this game is 5.5 and we like the under in this game.
As for individual props, take Sam Bennett to score a goal for the Panthers. (If you’re feeling adventurous, go with an OT winner.) On the Maple Leafs end of things, take John Tavares to get a point.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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