The Toronto Maple Leafs face the Florida Panthers in crucial Game 5 of their 2025 NHL playoff series on Wednesday in Toronto. The reigning Stanley Cup champions, Florida, leveled the second-round matchup at 2-2 with a 2-0 shutout win in Game 4 on Sunday. Game 5 is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena.
Florida enters as the money line favorite at -136, with Toronto the underdog at +115. The total goals over/under is set at 6. Florida also has a puck line of -1.5 (+179). Get expert predictions before placing bets.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates each NHL game 10,000 times, has a strong track record in the 2025 playoffs. Entering the second week of the conference semifinals, the model boasts a combined 79-55 record on top-rated puck line and over/under picks, yielding over $1,600 in profit for $100 bettors.
Here are some of the model`s top betting recommendations for Wednesday`s Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game 5:
Maple Leafs +1.5 Puck Line (-219)
Explanation: This pick is based on the close nature of the series, where Games 1-3 were decided by one goal. The Leafs also have a history of close games at home in these playoffs. Even Game 4, though ending 2-0, was a one-goal difference late in the third period. The SportsLine model strongly favors Toronto to cover this spread, projecting it to happen in over 70% of simulations.
William Nylander over 2.5 shots on goal (-140)
Explanation: William Nylander has been active offensively, exceeding 2.5 shots in four playoff games this year, including Game 4. With 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) and 28 shots overall in the postseason, he is expected to be a significant offensive threat at home.
Aleksander Barkov over 2.5 shots on goal (+110)
Explanation: Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov has performed well against Toronto, recording 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) and 6 shots in regular-season games. In the current playoff series, he has reached four or more shots on goal in three of his last four appearances, demonstrating his offensive involvement.
