The Toronto Maple Leafs finally got past the first round of the playoffs and were instantly set as the betting favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
Now, in a blink of an eye, they’re on the brink of getting swept by the No. 8 seed Florida Panthers.
They’re facing an 0-3 deficit heading into Game 4 on Wednesday, and only four teams in NHL history have come back from an 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series.
Can Toronto at least salvage some pride and win a game?
Let’s find out what the oddsmakers think.
Maple Leafs vs. Panthers odds, puck line, and total
Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prediction and pick
It’s all over, my friends. The Maple Leafs have proven to be the most psychologically weak team in the NHL, and they looked like they were already thinking of enjoy an early summer on Lake Muskoka in Ontario during a pivotal Game 3.
The best players in the NHL show up in must win games in the postseason, except for those on the Leafs. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were invisible in Game 3, and have been largely disappointing all postseason.
If they weren’t able to get up for a Game 3 where they could still realistically fight back in the series, they certainly won’t be showing up for Game 4 with the series all but over.
If there’s on team that will roll over when the going gets tough, it’s the Maple Leafs, and I’m shocked they’re set as betting favorites in this game.
Statistically, the teams have been extremely close during 5-on-5 play. For example, averaging 2.87-2.86 expected goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play. The Maple Leafs have performed better on special teams, giving them the overall advantage when looking at metrics.
None of that has mattered.
Sergei Bobrovsky has turned back the clock and sports a .938 save percentage in the postseason. Ilya Samsonov is questionable for Game 4, so the Leafs may have to go with their backup goaltender, Joseph Woll.
It’s all over for Toronto. Let’s at least make some money on their demise.
