Panthers vs Leafs Odds: Toronto Huge Favorites at Home

The Panthers vs Leafs odds show Toronto is favored -175 for Friday’s Game 5. The Maple Leafs are +135 laying 1.5 goals on the puck line and the total is 6.5-over (-125).

Some people had Toronto written off heading into Wednesday’s Game 4, but the Leafs received some key saves from rookie goalie Joseph Woll. He showed the faith the team had in him wasn’t misplaced. Toronto helped him out a little bit, playing a little more defensively minded and it worked. Justin Holl and Alex Kerfoot had some blocked shots and Ryan O’Reilly and David Kampf had some well-placed sticks in the way.

Mitch Marner and William Nylander scored for Toronto and that was all the Leafs needed. Both teams had 25 shots in the game but Woll was a shade better than Sergei Bobrovsky on the night. Woll was forced into action after an injury to regular goalie Ilya Samsonov.

Now, the series returns to Toronto and that’s all the Leafs could ask for. Dating back to the 2006-07 playoffs, home playoff favorites of -170 or more, are 232-139, which is a little lower than you would expect. With the Panthers vs Leafs odds at Toronto -175, there is a little bit of value on the Panthers for Game 5.

Both teams scored once on the powerplay in Game 4 and there were plenty of penalties handed out. Although the majority of penalties came after the final buzzer sounded. There were 11 roughing penalties given after the completion of the game.

Panthers Have Been Road Warriors

Florida didn’t seem too upset to lose Game 4 and there’s good reason for that. Florida has been on the right side of the NHL playoff scores five out of six times on the road these playoffs. Any time you can go 5-1 on the road, you’re going to go far. Florida has been a large underdog each time, beginning with the Boston series.

Leafs Also Better on Road

Despite advancing to the second round, the Maple Leafs have been anything but impressive at home. The Leafs odds have been at least -150 when they’ve been at home in the playoffs, yet Toronto is just 1-4. Given how well Florida has played away from home, the Panthers have to like their chances to close out the series.

Florida and Toronto both fit the pattern that is dominating this year’s playoffs. Namely, teams are playing better on the road. Through Wednesday’s games, home teams are 26-40 this season, while home favorites are 17-27.

Handicapping Game 5

There’s little doubt the Maple Leafs are a better team than the Panthers. But Florida is playing better right now, which is when it really matters. The key to betting this game is if you’re looking for the most likely winner or looking for better value. If you’re looking for value, the Panthers are the side you’ll be on. While the Leafs may win, they haven’t played like a team that justifies the Panthers vs Leafs odds being Toronto -175.

Bobrovsky has been in this situation before and knows what it takes to close out a team. The Panthers are too good of a team to pass up at very generous odds in Game 5.
Follow us on Twitter

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• NHL Draft Lottery Results: Chicago Is The Landing Spot for Generational Talent Connor Bedard
• Leafs vs Panthers Betting Preview: Florida Looks for Sweep
• Stars vs Kraken Odds: Even After Game 3 Meltdown, Dallas Favored to Tie Series
• Hurricanes vs Devils Odds: After Emphatic Game 3 Win, Devils Favored to Even Series
• Oilers vs Knights Odds, Game 3 Preview