The Florida Panthers will try to close out their second-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night. Game 6 will be played at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers lead the series 3-2 after winning three straight, including a 6-1 win on the road in Game 5.
Toronto must win to stay alive. Florida has 17 different goal scorers in the playoffs and is getting strong play from goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The Maple Leafs are looking to regroup and avoid elimination after their worst loss in five months.
Panthers Preview – Bobrovsky and Depth Leading the Way
Florida is one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. The Panthers have won three in a row and scored six goals in Game 5. They’ve had 17 players score in the playoffs so far, showing strong depth.
Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed just one goal in the last two games. In 10 playoff starts, he has a 2.46 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. The team has limited Toronto’s scoring chances and has shut down top scorer Auston Matthews.
Coach Paul Maurice has kept the team focused and even-keeled. Florida went 4-5 in elimination games during their Cup run last season, so they know how tough this game can be. But they’ve been sharp and ready this series.
Maple Leafs Preview – Do or Die on the Road
Toronto is down 3-2 in the series and coming off a blowout loss. They lost 6-1 in Game 5, their worst defeat since December. Auston Matthews has not scored in five straight games and hasn’t recorded a point in the last two.
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz is still out with an injury. The team will rely on their depth and leaders like Mitch Marner, who admitted the group didn’t play their game last time. Coach Craig Berube took responsibility for the poor effort.
Toronto will need a bounce-back like they had after their last big loss. After falling 9-3 to Buffalo in December, they won their next game 4-1. They will need that same energy and effort to force a Game 7 back home.
Betting Prediction
Florida is favored at home after winning three straight. They’ve scored 13 goals in the last three games while allowing just three. Bobrovsky is in form, and the Panthers are getting help from the full lineup.
Toronto is dangerous when desperate but has struggled to solve Bobrovsky. If Matthews and Marner don’t step up, the Panthers should finish the job at home. Expect a tighter game than last time, but Florida has the edge.
Pick: Florida Panthers -1.5 over Toronto Maple Leafs
This should be a great game. Game 6 and the Panthers can win the game and finish the series. Enjoy the game!
