SUNRISE, FL – BETTING RECAP – Bettors who backed Auston Matthews anytime goal scorer (+145) cashed in big Friday night—but they had to sweat it.
Midway through the second period of Game 6, Matthews left the ice after taking a stick to the eye from Aleksander Barkov, an injury scare that momentarily had Leafs Nation and player prop bettors holding their breath.
He returned minutes later. And with 13:40 left in regulation, he made good on the ticket—blasting a laser past Sergei Bobrovsky to give the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead en route to a 2-0 win.
With the Eastern Conference Second Round now tied 3-3, Game 7 shifts back to Scotiabank Arena on Sunday night, where early books are listing Toronto as slight favourites (-125) and the Panthers as +105 dogs.
Prop Alert: Matthews Reverses Cold Streak
Before Game 6, Matthews had gone five games without a goal and was 0-for-10 in his playoff career against Florida. He entered the game facing criticism after a disappointing Game 5, with some fans even tossing a No. 34 jersey onto the ice.
That narrative flipped fast.
Matthews’ goal was just his third of the postseason, but a timely one. His career postseason scoring drought in high-leverage moments has often hurt his props value, but he delivered in one of the highest-pressure spots of his NHL career.
Expect his anytime goal odds to tighten for Game 7, likely moving into the +120 to +130 range depending on the book.
Supporting Cast: Veteran Value & Goalie Watch
Max Pacioretty (+450 anytime) added the insurance marker, now tallying 8 goals in 16 career elimination games—a hidden value prop that continues to perform.
Joseph Woll (22 saves, +800 shutout odds) delivered a calm and clinical performance, blanking the Panthers and further tightening the goaltending narrative heading into Game 7. If he starts Sunday, expect goalie props to lean under 2.5 GA.
Mitch Marner, despite looming UFA status, tallied the primary assist on Matthews’ goal—keeping his points streak alive. His over 0.5 assists prop (+105) also cashed.
Game 7 Betting Preview & Trends
The Leafs enter Game 7 looking to erase a brutal trend: they’ve lost six straight Game 7s. However, under coach Craig Berube, they carry a different edge. Berube is 2-1 all-time in Game 7s, including the 2019 Stanley Cup Final win with St. Louis.
Florida coach Paul Maurice? A perfect 5-0. That trend alone makes Panthers ML (+105) an early value play.
Current Key Lines (as of Saturday AM):
- Moneyline: TOR -125 / FLA +105
- Total Goals (O/U 5.5): -115 both sides
- Leafs -1.5 Puck Line: +190
- Panthers +1.5: -220
Betting Insights for Game 7
🔥 Matthews Anytime Goal: Back in form, look for value if odds stay above +120
🔥 Under 5.5 Goals: 3 of last 4 games have gone under—tight playoff hockey
🔥 Florida ML: Panthers’ road record and Maurice’s Game 7 streak make them a live underdog
🔥 First Goal Scorer: Marner, Matthews, Tkachuk are key considerations
