The Toronto Maple Leafs look to further the gap between themselves and the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
The pregame narrative: Toronto has a six-point lead over Florida in the Atlantic Division with a game in hand. I’m backing John Tavares to clear his shot total and expect a slumping Brad Marchand to find the score sheet.
Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Panthers for April 8.
Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Panthers
Best Bet: Tavares over 2.5 shots (+125)
I debated backing Tavares to record a point (-142), which is certainly playable given his recent form.
Check the 34-year-old’s numbers since March 1:
- 17 games
- 21 points
- 14 goals
Maybe the weight of bearing the “C” has been lifted, or maybe his amulet is fully charged ahead of the playoffs. Either way, Tavares has been red-hot lately.
But I’m not in love with those odds, and will instead turn to his shot total, which comes in at plus money.
Tavares has cleared this line in three of his last four games, including against the Panthers last Wednesday.
He’s playing a healthy amount of minutes on the second line with elite playmaker William Nylander and is a mainstay on Toronto’s surging power play.
Key stat: Tavares has 2+ SOG in 13 of his last 14 games, clearing this line seven times.
Quick pick
Marchand to record a point (-125): Marchand has just one point with the Panthers, and it came in his debut on March 28.
He’s been held off the score sheet in five straight, but this seems like a good spot for him to get off the schneid.
The former Boston Bruin is averaging 17:53 of ice time and is on the Panthers’ top power play. And while Toronto is 8-1-1 over its last 10 games, the team is giving up plenty of chances.
Check out the Maple Leafs’ defensive ranks during that span, per Natural Stat Trick:
- 31st in chances (68.23)
- 27th in shots (30.35)
- 22nd in scoring chances (29.06)
Marchand has 10 points in his last 10 regular-season games against Toronto.
Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks made at 10:44 a.m. ET 04/08/2025.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.