The crucial fifth game of the 2025 NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers is set for Wednesday. The reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers leveled the second-round series at two games apiece with a 2-0 shutout win over the Leafs in Game 4 on Sunday. The game will be played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m. ET.
According to the latest odds for the Maple Leafs vs. Panthers matchup, Florida enters as a -136 money line favorite (bet $136 to win $100), while Toronto is the underdog at +115 (bet $100 to win $115). The total number of goals (over/under) is set at 6. Florida is also favored on the puck line at -1.5 with +179 odds. Those considering betting on the game should review the NHL predictions provided by SportsLine`s reputable model.
SportsLine Model Analysis
SportsLine`s advanced Projection Model simulates each NHL game 10,000 times to generate its predictions. Heading into the second week of the 2025 NHL conference semifinals, the model boasts a strong record of 79-55 on its top-rated puck-line and over/under bets. This performance has yielded over $1,600 in profits for bettors wagering $100 per pick.
Key Betting Picks for Game 5
Here are some of the top betting recommendations from the SportsLine model for the Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game 5 on Wednesday:
Maple Leafs +1.5 (-219): The initial three games of this series were all decided by a single goal, a margin also seen in three of Toronto`s five home playoff games so far. Even Game 4, which finished 2-0, was a one-goal difference until late in the third period. The SportsLine model strongly favors the Leafs covering the puck line in Game 5, projecting this outcome in over 70% of its simulations.
William Nylander Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-140): William Nylander has consistently generated offense throughout the playoffs, exceeding 2.5 shots on goal in four games, including firing four shots in the recent Game 4. He currently has 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) from 28 shots this postseason and is expected to be a significant offensive threat, particularly playing at home.
Aleksander Barkov Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (+110): Florida`s top center, Aleksander Barkov, has a history of success against the Maple Leafs. In the regular season, he recorded three points (1 goal, 2 assists) while taking six shots against Toronto. More recently, Barkov has been effective at creating scoring chances, registering four or more shots on goal in three of his last four playoff contests.
