A Detailed Look at the NHL Playoff Face-off: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning in Ontario

TheToronto Maple Leafs Entering the 2021 NHL season, the Maple Leafs were considered the fourth most likely team to clinch the Stanley Cup, listed at odds of +900.DraftKings Sportsbook Ontario The only teams ahead of them were Colorado, Vegas, and their playoff rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, who began the season with better odds at +700 as two-time champions.

The Maple Leafs enjoyed an outstanding regular season, spearheaded by star player and Hart Trophy frontrunner Auston Matthews. With an impressive record of 54 wins, 21 losses, and 7 overtime losses, Toronto placed fourth in the league’s overall standings and secured second in the fiercely competitive Atlantic Division.NHL betting This achievement positioned the Maple Leafs to face the third-seeded Lightning from their division, who concluded their season ranked eighth overall in the league. Competing against the defending champions presents a significant challenge for the Leafs, who have struggled to find playoff success for years. However, should Toronto manage to overcome Tampa Bay, it would provide them with invaluable winning experience.

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Leafs-Lightning Series Schedule

• Game 1: Monday, 7:30 p.m., in Toronto.
• Game 2: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., in Toronto.
• Game 3: Friday, 7:30 p.m., in Tampa.
• Game 4: May 8, 7 p.m., in Tampa.
• Game 5: If necessary, May 10, TBD, in Toronto.
• Game 6: If necessary, May 12, TBD, in Tampa.
• Game 7: If necessary, May 14, TBD, in Toronto.

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The Maple Leafs are slightly favored at -120 heading into this anticipated and closely matched series.

The Maple Leafs are slightly favored at -120 heading into this anticipated and closely matched series.

Maple Leafs Slightly Favored

Currently, Toronto's odds of winning the Stanley Cup stand at +900, while the Lightning are at +1100.Ontario sports betting The Maple Leafs aim to break the drought for Canadian teams by becoming the first team to win the Stanley Cup since 1993 and hold the best odds among Canadian franchises.

The launch of Ontario's sports betting and iGaming markets this year has created a surge in interest, with the Stanley Cup playoffs expected to attract significant betting activity.

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*Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook Ontario.

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Current Stanley Cup Odds

If there’s anyone who has the capability to penetrate the defense of Tampa Bay, it’s certainly Auston Matthews. His remarkable season includes 60 goals in only 73 games. With Matthews and Mitch Marner orchestrating the play, Toronto consistently found the back of the net this season.

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Can Toronto's Goaltending Hold Up?

These stars have high stakes in the playoffs, especially after the disappointment of their first-round exit last year. The learnings from their previous seven-game series against Montreal should motivate them to excel this postseason, particularly if they're able to utilize their leading power play effectively.

Toronto's offensive prowess isn't limited to Matthews and Marner; John Tavares and William Nylander also contribute significantly as an elite second-line pair. Nylander finished the season with 80 points, while Tavares closely followed with 76.

Though they have encountered a variety of wingers this season, both Nylander and Tavares frequently team up with Marner and Matthews during power plays. Rookie Michael Bunting also had a commendable offensive performance, capitalizing on his opportunity on the top line and leading all NHL rookies in points.

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On the defensive front, Toronto faces significant challenges against Tampa Bay’s potent offense. Steven Stamkos recorded the highest offensive numbers of his career with 42 goals and 106 points, partnering with Nikita Kucherov, one of the most prolific playoff scorers in recent years, creating a formidable offensive threat.

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Victor Hedman stands out defensively and also achieved career-high offensive stats this year with 20 goals and 85 points. The Lightning’s firepower will challenge Toronto’s defense throughout the series, but with the late-season addition of Mark Giordano, alongside Morgan Rielly, the Leafs' defense is well-equipped to meet this challenge.

Victor Hedman stands out defensively and also achieved career-high offensive stats this year with 20 goals and 85 points. The Lightning’s firepower will challenge Toronto’s defense throughout the series, but with the late-season addition of Mark Giordano, alongside Morgan Rielly, the Leafs' defense is well-equipped to meet this challenge.

Lightning Offense Also Strong

Given the daunting prospect of facing Tampa Bay in the first round, Toronto’s progression is not guaranteed, yet their performance in the regular season indicates they are poised for a deeper playoff run. Confronting the league’s most playoff-experienced team at this stage could be a crucial opportunity for the Leafs to overcome their playoff hurdles, and a victory against Tampa Bay would signal their capacity to pursue the championship and deliver a long-awaited Stanley Cup to their fans since 1967.

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