Lightning vs Maple Leafs Odds: Game 5

Understandably, there was a ton of hype surrounding the first-round playoff matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the Eastern Conference series hasn’t been particularly exciting just yet. Both teams have won a pair of blowouts and the series is tied at two games apiece heading into a critical Game 5 on Tuesday night.

The Lightning vs Maple Leafs odds favor Toronto in this one, just two days after the Lightning crushed the Maple Leafs — and knocked out goaltender Jack Campbell — in a 7-3 win. Toronto is a small home favorite despite Campbell’s up-and-down play. It has been hard to get a real read on either team right now because of how wildly different each game has played out.

Lightning vs Maple Leafs Game 5 Information

• • Game: Tampa Bay Lightning (2-2) at Toronto Maple Leafs (2-2)
  • Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
  • Day/Time: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Television: ESPN2

Maple Leafs Should Score Early, Often

The Toronto Maple Leafs have scored exactly five goals in each of their wins and exactly three goals in both of their losses. That shows how much Toronto needs to rely on its incredible offense in order to win games. The Maple Leafs have been able to solve the usually stout Andrei Vasilevskiy but that isn’t a given going forward against the standout netminder.

As far as NHL betting tips go, taking Toronto to hit its team over is always a good idea. The issue is on the defensive side of things and in net. For as good as the Maple Leafs are at producing goals, there’s always the concern of how they’ll be able to stop the explosive Lightning. That concern has already been validated in this series.

Lightning Need to Play Complete Game

The Lightning vs Maple Leafs odds for the series are basically dead-even with Toronto as very slight favorites. Considering how both teams have played, that’s a pretty fair assessment. You shouldn’t sleep on the Tampa Bay Lightning even though they haven’t looked like themselves against Toronto. Remember that Tampa Bay has won back-to-back Stanley Cups and more or less coasted through the regular season while dealing with plenty of injuries. The Lightning are still a very dangerous team with a top-end goalie.

The talent on Jon Cooper’s team’s roster speaks for itself and the Internet is filled with Tampa Bay Lightning highlights from the past few seasons. They’re a scary opponent that can roll out four strong lines on any given night. They just need to put it all together for 60 minutes, particularly on the road. The Maple Leafs, due to their Cup drought and recent playoff issues, are probably the hungrier team, but that doesn’t mean Tampa Bay can’t take advantage of Toronto’s weaknesses. The Lightning have the perfect personnel to do so.

Campbell to Lead Way for Toronto

Like so many other playoff games, Tuesday’s Lightning-Maple Leafs contest will likely come down to the goaltending. Campbell is coming off his worst performance of the postseason, but he’s a lot better than how he looked on Sunday. Campbell was nearly perfect in Games 1 and 3 so there’s no reason to think he can’t hold down the fort again.

The Lightning vs Maple Leafs odds agree and have Toronto winning this game. Vasilevskiy is definitely the better netminder overall, yet he has been shaky at times in the postseason and he wasn’t as dominant during the regular season as usual. Plus, Toronto is a much better team at home, where the Maple Leafs will have a rabid fan base in their corner.