The Florida Panthers (36-31-7), one of the NHL’s worst penalty killing teams, are on the road to face the Toronto Maple Leafs (44-20-9) and their opportunistic power play offense at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. Florida is coming off a 5-2 loss against the Senators on Monday, their fourth straight defeat.
The Panthers committed four penalties in the game, conceding three power play goals. Gustav Forsling was the only player to find the net, scoring twice for the Panthers.
Sergei Bobrovsky saved only 22 of 26 shots against (.846%) in the loss.Toronto beat the Predators 3-2 on Sunday. John Tavares scored twice to lead the Maple Leafs. Joseph Woll saved 23 of 25 shots.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Maple Leafs have won both games between the teams this season, including a 6-2 victory in their most recent meeting on March 23. Tavares led Toronto with three points (0G 3A). Matthew Tkachuk and Nick Cousins were on the scoresheet for Florida. Matt Murray got the win, saving 33 of 35 shots (.942%).
FACING OFF
Florida is averaging 3.45 goals per game for the season, sixth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Maple Leafs team that is allowing 2.75 goals a game (8th).
Meanwhile, Toronto has found the net 3.42 times a game on average, eighth in the league, and the Panthers are allowing opponents to score 3.45 goals per game (24th).
Florida averages more shots/game (36.7) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 9.5% shooting percentage ranks 26th. Toronto’s average of 31.8 attempts ranks 15th. Expect a few power play opportunities for the Maple Leafs, as the Panthers are averaging 4.62 penalties per game, most in the NHL.
The visitors’ 11.59 penalty minutes a game ranks third-highest. The home team has been penalized 3.62 times a game (20th) for an average of 8.15 minutes (23rd).
The Maple Leafs will be seeking to add to their third-ranked power play percentage of 25.69% against the Panthers, who are the league’s fifth-weakest penalty killing team (73.95%). Florida, meanwhile, has scored on 21.69% of their power play opportunities (14th), which the visitors will be aiming to improve on against Toronto’s 12th-ranked 80.82% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 97 points this season, fifth-most in the NHL, Tkachuk is the top skater for the Panthers. He is among the league leaders with 62 assists (8th) and has added 35 goals of his own.
In the net, Bobrovsky (24-20-3) is Florida’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.07 GAA and a .901% save percentage.
Mitchell Marner leads the Maple Leafs in scoring with 94 points (7th in the league). He has 28 goals and 66 assists (5th) in 73 games. Ilya Samsonov (24-9-3) has the best goals against average for Toronto at 2.46. He has a save percentage of .914%.
HOME AND AWAY
Florida is 15-19-3 away from FLA Live Arena this season. Toronto is 25-7-5 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Toronto Maple Leafs (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
