| MATCHUP | Toronto Maple Leafs | Florida Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 27-22-9 | 29-25-3 |
| Spread | +1.5 -192 | -1.5 160 |
| Moneyline | +130 | -155 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (105) | Under 6.5 (-125) |
| Where | Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL | |
| When | Thursday, February 26, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers meet Thursday in NHL action at the Amerant Bank Arena. Here’s a Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers prediction. This article will include a Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers pick.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Lightning and beat the Oilers, and they play the Senators next. The Maple Leafs have lost 9 of their last 13 games.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are averaging 3.26 goals per game and are scoring 19.3 percent of their power-play opportunities. Auston Matthews leads Toronto with 26 goals, William Nylander has 36 assists, and John Tavares has 143 shots on goal. Defensively, the Toronto Maple Leafs are allowing 3.4 goals per game and are killing 84.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Joseph Woll has allowed 69 goals on 754 shots faced, while Dennis Hildeby has given up 46 goals on 511 shots.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers beat the Bruins and lost to the Lightning, and they play the Sabres next. The Panthers have lost 4 of their last 5 games.
The Florida Panthers are averaging 2.98 goals per game and are scoring on 19 percent of their power-play opportunities. Sam Reinhart leads Florida with 27 goals, Carter Verhaeghe has 26 assists, and Sam Bennett has 147 shots on goal. Defensively, the Florida Panthers are allowing 3.33 goals per game and are killing 82.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed 121 goals on 939 shots faced, while Daniil Tarasov has given up 52 goals on 516 shots.
Why the Florida Panthers will win
- The Panthers have won six of their last seven night games following a road loss.
- The Maple Leafs have lost four of their last five games at Amerant Bank Arena when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games as underdogs.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in three of their last four home games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Maple Leafs have lost the second period in each of their last five night games at Amerant Bank Arena when leading after the first period.
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs will win
- The Panthers have lost six of their last seven games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Maple Leafs have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the Panthers.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games as home favorites.
- The Maple Leafs have covered the puck line in each of their last four games as underdogs following a road loss.
- The underdogs have won the third period in five of the Panthers’ last six games.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Panthers’ last six games against Eastern Conference opponents has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Maple Leafs’ last five games against the Panthers following a road loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last nine night games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last 12 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 17 of the Maple Leafs’ last 18 games as underdogs.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Carter Verhaeghe has scored a goal in five of his last six appearances against the Maple Leafs at Amerant Bank Arena.
- Anton Lundell has recorded at least one assist in each of his last five appearances with the Panthers as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Jesper Boqvist has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances—the [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- Matthew Knies has scored at least one goal in five of the Maple Leafs’ last six games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Auston Matthews has recorded an assist in each of the Maple Leafs’ last four road games.
- Troy Stecher has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances—the [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Florida Panthers rank 32nd in the league for Period 3 goals allowed per game this season (1.33).
- The Florida Panthers rank 3rd in the league in penalty minutes this season (703).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 32nd in the league for shots against per game this season (31.7).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 1st in the league for power play goals against this season (23).
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers Prediction
The Maple Leafs have had a game under their belt since the break and have outscored the Panthers 8-2 in the last two meetings. However, the Panthers have the rest advantage at home and while the team hasn’t played in weeks, many of their key players participated in the Olympics, so I’m not as worried about rust. The Maple Leafs have 13 road losses. These are also must-win games for the Panthers as they need to rack up the points if they’re going to make the playoffs. A win here would go a long way to digging out of that hole. Must win, I’d say. Give me the Panthers.