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Panthers vs. Maple Leafs best bets Game 7: Back Florida to win, Verhaeghe to shine in pivotal game

The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs settle their series with an all-deciding Game 7 on Sunday night.

The pregame narrative: Maple Leafs fans are riding an emotional roller coaster with no clear ending. The team was lifeless in its Game 5 loss, but rebounded with a 2-0 shutout win in Game 6. What kind of Toronto will we see in Game 7? That’s the question everybody wants an answer to.

Check out my Panthers vs. Maple Leafs best bets for Game 7 of the second round, featuring a bet on Carter Verhaeghe.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs best bets

Best Bet: Panthers moneyline (-134)

A few key factors influence my pick for this crucial Game 7.

The first is Toronto’s track record in these contests. The Maple Leafs have been brutal in Game 7s. They’ve lost six consecutive do-or-die contests, including five with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner in the fold.

Conversely, Florida is 2-0 in Game 7s since 2023.

Secondly, this series seems to have shifted in Florida’s favour, and I’m not letting one game sway my opinion. The Cats have won three of the last four matchups, outscoring Toronto 13-7 during this stretch.

The Maple Leafs’ offence has been especially anemic across their last three games, scoring just three goals in total.

Auston Matthews finally scored in Game 6, but I won’t be lining up to pat his back. The NHL’s second-highest paid player now has one goal in 11 career postseason games against the Panthers.

Toronto’s core has yet to prove it can win a Game 7, and until it does, I will fade the Maple Leafs.

Key stat: Sergei Bobrovsky has a .958 save percentage in his last three games.

Game 7 picks

Over 5.5 goals (+125): The standard goal total is set at five for this game, which seems a little odd considering how this series has played out.

The over on this total has cashed in four of six games, with each of those overs totalling seven-plus tallies.

Historically speaking, Game 7s haven’t produced much offence. Seven of eight Game 7s from the past two playoffs have gone below this total, including all four Game 7s from the 2024 postseason

That trend has taken a sharp turn in 2025, however, as both Game 7s from the first round went over this mark.

Joseph Woll has been solid for Toronto since replacing Anthony Stolarz, but this will be his first Game 7. It’s unclear how he’ll handle the magnitude of this game considering his lack of experience in this situation.

A nervous Woll could inflate Florida’s goal total and push this total over.

Verhaeghe to score 1+ points (-120): There are several reasons to like Verhaeghe’s points prop in this contest.

Firstly, he’s one of Florida’s top point producers in the playoffs. Verhaeghe’s eight points are two back of Sam Reinhart’s 10 for the team lead.

His spot in the Panthers’ lineup is enticing, too. He skates on the team’s second line, alongside Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk, and is featured on the top power play.

The winger has been productive in this series, registering five points in six outings.

Verhaeghe has been very dependable in big moments for the Panthers. He has a point in seven of Florida’s last nine series finales, totalling 12 during this stretch.

Expect him to be one of Florida’s most effective forwards in a crucial contest.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs best bets made at 12:39 p.m. ET 05/17/2025.

Jannik Sinner vs. Carlos Alcaraz Italian Open final best bet and odds: Pick Spaniard to pull off upset

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz meet in an Italian Open final that has match-of-the-year potential.

The pregame narrative: Tennis’s two brightest stars collide in Rome with a Masters 1000 title on the line. This is the 12th-ever meeting between these superstars, but the stakes have never been higher. Total Italian supremacy is on the line as Sinner can join Jasmine Paolini in the Italian Open winner’s circle.

Check out my Sinner vs. Alcaraz Italian Open final best bet and the odds for May 18.

Sinner vs. Alcaraz best bet

Go to full Sinner vs. Alcaraz betting markets.

Betting markets	Odds
Sinner to win	-150
Alcaraz to win	+125
Sinner -2.5 games	+100
Alcaraz +2.5 games	-122
Sinner to win in straight sets	+180
Alcaraz to win in straight sets	+320
Over 22.5 total games	-115
Under 22.5 total games	-108

Tennis odds as of 1:30 p.m. ET on 05/17/2025.

Best Bet: Alcaraz to win (+125)

This has already been a massive weekend for Italian tennis, but I think it’ll fall just short of being historic.

Paolini won the WTA title in Rome on Saturday, and a Sinner win would mark the first time there was an Italian men’s and women’s champion at the Italian Open in the same year.

But there is a certain Spaniard who I expect to rain on the parade.

Alcaraz is in fine form ahead of this matchup. He has lost just one set in Rome, as he was able to cruise by Jack Draper and Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets in the quarters and semis, respectively.

Sinner’s semifinal victory over Tommy Paul saw the Italian play an uncharacteristically poor first set. He had two winners to 13 unforced errors en route to a 6-1 loss in the opening frame.

He bounced back in the second and third sets, winning 6-0, 6-3.

Was the first set a case of nerves for Sinner? If so, how will he handle the pressure in the final?

Alcaraz also boasts the more impressive track record on clay. The Spanish superstar is a dominant 155-36, while Sinner is a strong but not as impressive 90-38 on the surface.

Sinner’s elite shotmaking skills and Alcaraz’s undeniable court coverage will combine for a fantastic style clash. The hometown crowd can work as an advantage or disadvantage for tennis players. Sinner has won in pressure-filled moments, but competing for a title in your home country is a different scenario.

Key stat: Alcaraz is 7-4 lifetime vs. Sinner, winning three consecutive contests against the Italian.

Tennis picks made at 2:11 p.m. ET on 05/17/2025.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs best bets Game 7: Back Florida to win, Verhaeghe to shine in pivotal game

The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs settle their series with an all-deciding Game 7 on Sunday night.

The pregame narrative: Maple Leafs fans are riding an emotional roller coaster with no clear ending. The team was lifeless in its Game 5 loss, but rebounded with a 2-0 shutout win in Game 6. What kind of Toronto will we see in Game 7? That’s the question everybody wants an answer to.

Check out my Panthers vs. Maple Leafs best bets for Game 7 of the second round, featuring a bet on Carter Verhaeghe.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs best bets

Best Bet: Panthers moneyline (-134)

A few key factors influence my pick for this crucial Game 7.

The first is Toronto’s track record in these contests. The Maple Leafs have been brutal in Game 7s. They’ve lost six consecutive do-or-die contests, including five with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner in the fold.

Conversely, Florida is 2-0 in Game 7s since 2023.

Secondly, this series seems to have shifted in Florida’s favour, and I’m not letting one game sway my opinion. The Cats have won three of the last four matchups, outscoring Toronto 13-7 during this stretch.

The Maple Leafs’ offence has been especially anemic across their last three games, scoring just three goals in total.

Auston Matthews finally scored in Game 6, but I won’t be lining up to pat his back. The NHL’s second-highest paid player now has one goal in 11 career postseason games against the Panthers.

Toronto’s core has yet to prove it can win a Game 7, and until it does, I will fade the Maple Leafs.

Key stat: Sergei Bobrovsky has a .958 save percentage in his last three games.

Embed: #113889

Game 7 picks

Over 5.5 goals (+125): The standard goal total is set at five for this game, which seems a little odd considering how this series has played out.

The over on this total has cashed in four of six games, with each of those overs totalling seven-plus tallies.

Historically speaking, Game 7s haven’t produced much offence. Seven of eight Game 7s from the past two playoffs have gone below this total, including all four Game 7s from the 2024 postseason

That trend has taken a sharp turn in 2025, however, as both Game 7s from the first round went over this mark.

Joseph Woll has been solid for Toronto since replacing Anthony Stolarz, but this will be his first Game 7. It’s unclear how he’ll handle the magnitude of this game considering his lack of experience in this situation.

A nervous Woll could inflate Florida’s goal total and push this total over.

Verhaeghe to score 1+ points (-121): There are several reasons to like Verhaeghe’s points prop in this contest.

Firstly, he’s one of Florida’s top point producers in the playoffs. Verhaeghe’s eight points are two back of Sam Reinhart’s 10 for the team lead.

His spot in the Panthers’ lineup is enticing, too. He skates on the team’s second line, alongside Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk, and is featured on the top power play.

The winger has been productive in this series, registering five points in six outings.

Verhaeghe has been very dependable in big moments for the Panthers. He has a point in seven of Florida’s last nine series finales, totalling 12 during this stretch.

Expect him to be one of Florida’s most effective forwards in a crucial contest.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs best bets made at 12:39 p.m. ET 05/17/2025.

Jets vs. Stars SGP predictions Game 6: Bet on Winnipeg, Ehlers in +390 ticket

The Winnipeg Jets aim to stave off elimination against the Dallas Stars for a second consecutive contest.

The pregame narrative: Connor Hellebuyck has become predictably unpredictable in the postseason. I anticipate him being at his best when his team needs him most, though, and that’s why I’m backing the Winnipeg puck line and the under. Thirdly, I expect one of the Jets’ top forwards to deliver.

Check out my Jets vs. Stars playoff SGP predictions featuring Nikolaj Ehlers for Game 6 on May 17.

Jets vs. Stars predictions

Parlay: Jets +1.5 | Under 5.5 goals | Ehlers to score 1+ points (+390)

Jets +1.5 (-205): I’m not expecting much offence in this contest, which is why banking a goal with Winnipeg is worth the inflated price.

The Jets have covered this spread in three of five games this series, with two of those being 4-0 victories.

It’s certainly worth noting that Winnipeg is 0-5 on the road in the playoffs, but the team has been very good in elimination games.

Hellebuyck and company are 2-0 with their backs against the wall, and the likely Vezina Trophy winner hasn’t allowed a goal in his last six periods of do-or-die play.

Anticipate another stellar performance from one of the league’s best goaltenders in a crucial moment and back Winnipeg puck line.

Embed: #113887

NHL SGP legs

Under 5.5 goals (-113): Hellebuyck isn’t the only all-world goaltender in this series.

Jake Oettinger has been fantastic. He has a .925 save percentage through five games and has made more saves than any other goalie in the postseason (340).

Neither team is filling the net at an elite clip in the playoffs. The Jets are ninth in goals per game (2.83) and the Stars are tied for 10th (2.67).

Both squads have played to the under in more games than not this season:

Winnipeg has cashed the under in 58.2% of games this season (t-4th).

Dallas has cashed the under in 55.8% of its contests this year (8th).

The under on this total has cashed in four of five games in this series.

Ehlers to score 1+ points (-118): Lastly, I expect Ehlers to stay hot.

The Jets winger has been excellent since returning from injury in the first round. He has five goals and seven points in seven games, including four goals and five points against Dallas.

What’s become abundantly clear is that few players in the league can keep up with Ehlers’ speed. He has been able to blow by Stars defenders and generate offence routinely.

Here’s where Ehlers ranks among his teammates in several key stats:

1st in shots (22)
1st in expected goals (3.82)
1st in shot attmempts (38)
2nd in scoring chances (19)
2nd in high-danger chances (8)

This is a very fair price to back Winnipeg’s most dangerous forward at.

Jets vs. Stars predictions made at 10:24 a.m. ET 05/17/2025.

Blue Jays vs. Mariners prop pick May 10: Bet on Seattle’s Polanco to shine

The Toronto Blue Jays go for their third consecutive win and a series win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

The pregame narrative: Toronto’s bats are beginning to heat up. The team has scored 18 runs across its last three contests. A pitching duel between Bowden Francis and Logan Evans should invite offensive production from both teams.

I’m backing Jorge Polanco in my Blue Jays picks vs. the Mariners on May 10.

Blue Jays picks vs. Mariners

Best Bet: Polanco to record 1+ RBI (+185)

Polanco isn’t in the ideal spot in Seattle’s lineup to drive in runs, but that hasn’t stopped him from racking up RBI.

The middle infield hits second for the Mariners and is absolutely crushing it this season.

Polanco is batting .340 with a .680 SLG on the campaign. The advanced numbers, per Baseball Savant, paint an equally impressive picture:

100th percentile expected batting average (.353)

98th percentile expected SLG (.635)

90th percentile barrel rate (16.1)

95th percentile squared up rate (35.4)

These elite metrics are leading to extremely impressive results at the plate. Polanco is tied for 11th among all players in RBI (28).

J.P. Crawford is batting in front of Polanco, and he should be able to get on against Francis. Crawford is hitting .303 with a .404 on-base percentage against righties.

Bet on Polanco to deliver at juicy plus-money odds.

Key stat: Polanco has a RBI in three of his last five games and seven of his last 12.

Blue Jays picks vs. Mariners made at 2:31 p.m. ET on 05/10/2025.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks Game 4: Bet on Matthew Knies, Brad Marchand to score a point

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers meet in a Game 4 showdown that will shape the rest of this series.

The pregame narrative: A win for Toronto puts Florida on the ropes and gives the former three chances to close out this series. A victory for the latter knots this one up at two and makes it a best-of-three. Very little separates these two after a trio of one-goal games to begin the series.

Brad Marchand and Matthew Knies are the targets of my Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks for Game 4 on May 11.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers picks

Best Bet: Marchand to score 1+ points (+100)

The year is 2025, and Marchand is still tormenting Toronto.

In a different uniform, albeit, he’s still reining terror on the Maple Leafs.

The pesky winger has been Florida’s most productive player. He has four points through three games and firmly entrenched himself with the overtime game-winning goal in Game 3.

Marchand is proving to be worth everything they gave up for him at the trade deadline, as his eight points are tied for first among all Panthers this postseason.

He’s been one of the team’s steadiest sources of offensive opportunities, ranking third among Florida skaters in scoring chances (18), according to Natural Stat Trick.

Anthony Stolarz’s injury also bolsters the Panthers’ offensive outlook. The goaltender still isn’t skating, per head coach Craig Berube, and that likely puts Joseph Woll in the net for another game.

Woll hasn’t impressed in his three appearances, posting a .869 save percentage in the series.

Bet on more production from Marchand.

Key stat: Marchand has a point in five consecutive games (seven total).

Game 4 prop prediction

Knies to score 1+ points (-125): It’s clear that Toronto has been missing a player like Knies all these years.

His combination of size and skill has been lacking in postseasons past.

Knies has four points through three games, already providing a pair of multi-point efforts in this series.

The case for Knies starts with his deployment in Toronto’s lineup. The winger skates alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on the team’s first line.

He also plays on the top power play unit with Matthews, Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.

Where Knies has been very good for the Maple Leafs is getting to the premium scoring areas. He’s tied for second on the squad in the playoffs with 15 high-danger chances.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks made at 4:20 p.m. ET 05/10/2025.

Round of 32 Italian Open women’s predictions: Bet on Fernandez to keep it close, fade Andreescu in difficult matchup

Canadians Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez will take the court in Rome on Sunday and headline my Italian Open predictions.

Today’s Italian Open narrative: Andreescu and Fernandez both find themselves in the Round of 32. Fernandez earned a convincing win in her lone match, and I expect her to be competitive against Marta Kostyuk. I’m skeptical of Andreescu, however, in a very difficult matchup against Elena Rybakina.

Check out my Italian Open predictions for May 11.

Italian Open predictions

Best Bet: Fernandez +3.5 games (-106)

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Fernandez is not a proficient clay-court player.

The Canadian is 48-40 on the surface in her career and an even 8-8 across the last two years.

Theoretically, however, clay should suit the Canadian’s skills. She’s a strong baseline player who moves effectively around the court.

Typically, those are the traits that upper-echelon clay courters possess.

She looked dominant, however, to begin her run in Rome. Fernandez ousted Antonia Ruzic convincingly in straight sets (6-4, 6-0).

She battles a competitor in Kostyuk who has provided some solid results on clay. She’s 14-7 on the surface since 2024.

These two players have never squared off before, but the fact that their only separated by one spot in the WTA rankings suggests that this should be a tight match.

Kostyuk (26th) holds a slight edge over Fernandez (27th).

Expect the latter to make things interesting against the former.

Key stat: Fernandez has covered this spread in all four of her clay-court matches this year.

Quick pick

Rybakina vs. Andreescu under 20.5 games (-120): Don’t expect this one to go the distance.

There are a lot of factors working against Andreescu in this contest.

The first is her head-to-head record versus Rybakina. The Canadian has done very poorly against her Kazakhstani counterpart.

Rybakina is a perfect 3-0 against Andreescu, winning all six of their sets.

These two just met on clay, and the results weren’t pretty for Andreescu. She lost 6-3, 6-2 at the Madrid Open.

Andreescu isn’t the only woman on the WTA tour who has fallen victim to Rybakina on the clay courts. Rybakina is a dominant 25-5 on this surface since 2023, advancing to the quarterfinals at last year’s French Open.

Andreescu is solid yet unspectacular on this surface. She’s 31-18 in her career and just 8-8 since 2023.

The under on this total has cashed in each of their last two clashes.

Italian Open predictions made at 3:21 p.m. on 05/10/2025.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks Game 4: Bet on Matthew Knies, Brad Marchand to score a point

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers meet in a Game 4 showdown that will shape the rest of this series.

The pregame narrative: A win for Toronto puts Florida on the ropes and gives the former three chances to close out this series. A victory for the latter knots this one up at two and makes it a best-of-three. Very little separates these two after a trio of one-goal games to begin the series.

Brad Marchand and Matthew Knies are the targets of my Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks for Game 4 on May 11.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers picks

Best Bet: Marchand to score 1+ points (+112)

The year is 2025, and Marchand is still tormenting Toronto.

In a different uniform, albeit, he’s still reining terror on the Maple Leafs.

The pesky winger has been Florida’s most productive player. He has four points through three games and firmly entrenched himself with the overtime game-winning goal in Game 3.

Marchand is proving to be worth everything they gave up for him at the trade deadline, as his eight points are tied for first among all Panthers this postseason.

He’s been one of the team’s steadiest sources of offensive opportunities, ranking third among Florida skaters in scoring chances (18), according to Natural Stat Trick.

Anthony Stolarz’s injury also bolsters the Panthers’ offensive outlook. The goaltender still isn’t skating, per head coach Craig Berube, and that likely puts Joseph Woll in the net for another game.

Woll hasn’t impressed in his three appearances, posting a .869 save percentage in the series.

Bet on more production from Marchand.

Key stat: Marchand has a point in five consecutive games (seven total).

Game 4 prop prediction

Knies to score 1+ points (-125): It’s clear that Toronto has been missing a player like Knies all these years.

His combination of size and skill has been lacking in postseasons past.

Knies has four points through three games, already providing a pair of multi-point efforts in this series.

The case for Knies starts with his deployment in Toronto’s lineup. The winger skates alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on the team’s first line.

He also plays on the top power play unit with Matthews, Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.

Where Knies has been very good for the Maple Leafs is getting to the premium scoring areas. He’s tied for second on the squad in the playoffs with 15 high-danger chances.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks made at 4:20 p.m. ET 05/10/2025.

Round of 32 Italian Open women’s predictions: Bet on Fernandez to keep it close, fade Andreescu in difficult matchup

Canadians Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez will take the court in Rome on Sunday and headline my Italian Open predictions.

Today’s Italian Open narrative: Andreescu and Fernandez both find themselves in the Round of 32. Fernandez earned a convincing win in her lone match, and I expect her to be competitive against Marta Kostyuk. I’m skeptical of Andreescu, however, in a very difficult matchup against Elena Rybakina.

Check out my Italian Open predictions for May 11.

Italian Open predictions

Best Bet: Fernandez +3.5 games (+102)

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Fernandez is not a proficient clay-court player.

The Canadian is 48-40 on the surface in her career and an even 8-8 across the last two years.

Theoretically, however, clay should suit the Canadian’s skills. She’s a strong baseline player who moves effectively around the court.

Typically, those are the traits that upper-echelon clay courters possess.

She looked dominant, however, to begin her run in Rome. Fernandez ousted Antonia Ruzic convincingly in straight sets (6-4, 6-0).

She battles a competitor in Kostyuk who has provided some solid results on clay. She’s 14-7 on the surface since 2024.

These two players have never squared off before, but the fact that their only separated by one spot in the WTA rankings suggests that this should be a tight match.

Kostyuk (26th) holds a slight edge over Fernandez (27th).

Expect the latter to make things interesting against the former.

Key stat: Fernandez has covered this spread in all four of her clay-court matches this year.

Quick pick

Rybakina vs. Andreescu under 20.5 games (-117): Don’t expect this one to go the distance.

There are a lot of factors working against Andreescu in this contest.

The first is her head-to-head record versus Rybakina. The Canadian has done very poorly against her Kazakhstani counterpart.

Rybakina is a perfect 3-0 against Andreescu, winning all six of their sets.

These two just met on clay, and the results weren’t pretty for Andreescu. She lost 6-3, 6-2 at the Madrid Open.

Andreescu isn’t the only woman on the WTA tour who has fallen victim to Rybakina on the clay courts. Rybakina is a dominant 25-5 on this surface since 2023, advancing to the quarterfinals at last year’s French Open.

Andreescu is solid yet unspectacular on this surface. She’s 31-18 in her career and just 8-8 since 2023.

The under on this total has cashed in each of their last two clashes.

Italian Open predictions made at 3:21 p.m. on 05/10/2025.

Blue Jays vs. Mariners prop picks May 10: Bet on Seattle’s Polanco, Tellez to shine

The Toronto Blue Jays go for their third consecutive win and a series win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

The pregame narrative: Toronto’s bats are beginning to heat up. The team has scored 18 runs across its last three contests. A pitching duel between Bowden Francis and Logan Evans should invite offensive production from both teams.

I’m backing Jorge Polanco and Rowdy Tellez in my Blue Jays picks vs. the Mariners on May 10.

Blue Jays picks vs. Mariners

Best Bet: Polanco to record 1+ RBI (+180)

Polanco isn’t in the ideal spot in Seattle’s lineup to drive in runs, but that hasn’t stopped him from racking up RBI.

The middle infield hits second for the Mariners and is absolutely crushing it this season.

Polanco is batting .340 with a .680 SLG on the campaign. The advanced numbers, per Baseball Savant, paint an equally impressive picture:

100th percentile expected batting average (.353)

98th percentile expected SLG (.635)

90th percentile barrel rate (16.1)

95th percentile squared up rate (35.4)

These elite metrics are leading to extremely impressive results at the plate. Polanco is tied for 11th among all players in RBI (28).

J.P. Crawford is batting in front of Polanco, and he should be able to get on against Francis. Crawford is hitting .303 with a .404 on-base percentage against righties.

Bet on Polanco to deliver at juicy plus-money odds.

Key stat: Polanco has a RBI in three of his last five games and seven of his last 12.

Embed: #113630

Quick pick

Tellez to record 1+ hit (-118): These odds are certainly palatable when all that’s needed of Tellez is a hit.

The left-handed hitter isn’t having a banner year by any means. Tellez is batting an uninspiring .203 on the campaign.

He has been better as of late, however, hitting .318 across seven games in May.

Tellez should be able to reach base with a hit at least once against Francis. The Toronto righty enters Saturday’s game with a rough 5.66 ERA and an even more troubling 6.79 FIP.

Opposing batters are hitting to the tune of .282 against Francis this year.

Francis’ Baseball Savant page does a good job of summing up how dreadful he has been in 2025. He has a third percentile expected ERA (6.92) and expected batting average (.319).

Tellez took Francis deep in his lone at-bat against the righty. The sample size is small, but encouraging, for the ex-Blue Jay.

Blue Jays picks vs. Mariners made at 2:31 p.m. ET on 05/10/2025.