Maple Leafs Host Panthers in NHL Playoffs Game 1

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers begin their second-round NHL playoff series with the Panthers entering as the betting favorites, despite the Maple Leafs' home-ice advantage. Both teams are coming off strong first-round performances, with Florida defeating Tampa Bay in five games and Toronto overcoming Ottawa in six. Analysts note that Toronto's ability to 'win ugly' under coach Craig Berube, combined with a solid home record, could challenge Florida's edge, especially since home teams have performed exceptionally well in this postseason. The series is expected to be tightly contested, with key matchups between top offensive lines and an emphasis on net-front battles and special teams. Star players like William Nylander for Toronto and Sam Reinhart for Florida are expected to play major roles in their teams' success. Fans can stream the games using free trials from major platforms such as FuboTV and DirecTV Stream.