Maple Leafs vs Panthers Prediction Game 2 NHL Playoffs 5/4
- Lm Tipster
- May 3, 2023, 7:24:05 PM
© Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Introduction:
The second round of the NHL playoffs is underway, and there are already plenty of surprises in store for fans. One such surprise came in Game 1 of the series between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, where the Panthers upset the Maple Leafs with a 4-2 victory. Now, the teams are set to face off again in Game 2, and fans are eager to see if the Panthers can repeat their success. In this NHL prediction article, we'll take an in-depth look at both teams' offense, defense, and injuries to provide expert NHL picks and predictions for the upcoming game.
Florida Panthers
Offense:
The Florida Panthers' offense is led by center Matthew Tkachuk, who has recorded an impressive 109 points this season, including 40 goals and 69 assists. Carter Verhaeghe is another player to watch, with 42 goals and seven power-play goals to his name. The Panthers have a solid power play, with a success rate of 22.8%, which could give them an edge over the Maple Leafs in Game 2.
Defense:
The Panthers' defense is anchored by goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who has had a mixed season with 24 wins and 20 losses. However, Bobrovsky has a wealth of experience and could prove to be a valuable asset for the Panthers in Game 2. The Panthers have allowed an average of 3.32 goals per game this season, which is slightly higher than the Maple Leafs' 2.67. However, the Panthers have a strong penalty kill, with a success rate of 75.9%, which could help them keep the Maple Leafs' power play in check.
Injuries:
The Panthers are without Ryan Lomberg, who is out due to an injury sustained on May 1. Lomberg's absence may not be a major blow to the Panthers, but it does reduce their depth.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Offense:
The Toronto Maple Leafs have an impressive offense, led by Mitchell Marner, who has recorded 99 points this season, including 30 goals and 69 assists. William Nylander is another key player, with 40 goals and nine power-play goals to his name. The Maple Leafs have a strong power play, with a success rate of 26%, which could cause problems for the Panthers in Game 2.
Defense:
The Maple Leafs' defense is anchored by goaltender Ilya Samsonov, who has had an impressive season with 27 wins and only 10 losses. Samsonov has a strong save percentage of .919, which could prove to be a major asset for the Maple Leafs in Game 2. The Maple Leafs have allowed an average of 2.67 goals per game this season, which is lower than the Panthers' 3.32. The Maple Leafs also have a strong penalty kill, with a success rate of 81.9%.
Injuries:
The Maple Leafs are without goaltender Matt Murray, who is out due to an injury sustained on May 1. Murray's absence could be a major blow to the Maple Leafs, as he has been a key player for them this season. Murray played in 23 games and had a 14-8-2 record with a 3.01 GAA and a .903 SV%.
The absence of Murray means that Ilya Samsonov will likely start in goal for the Maple Leafs in game 2. Samsonov has played well in his limited action this season, posting a 27-10-5 record with a 2.33 GAA and a .919 SV%. However, Samsonov has only played in two playoff games so far, and it remains to be seen how he will perform under the pressure of a crucial playoff game.
Prediction:
The Panthers come into game 2 with a 1-0 lead in the series and a lot of momentum. They have been playing well offensively and have gotten solid goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, are dealing with an injury to their starting goaltender and will be starting a less experienced netminder in Ilya Samsonov. This could be a factor in the game, as the Panthers will likely look to capitalize on any early mistakes or jitters from Samsonov.
Despite the Maple Leafs' home-ice advantage and their offensive firepower, the Panthers have shown that they can hang with the best of them. In their last five games, the Panthers have scored an average of 4.4 goals per game, while the Maple Leafs have only managed to score an average of 2.6 goals per game.
Pick: Panthers ML +160
