Certainly, it was another impressive season for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021-22. The Leafs finished strong in the final weeks to end second to the Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division. Toronto is the fourth choice on the NHL betting odds board to win the Stanley Cup. Yet gamblers have been burned too many times in the past. Toronto is loaded with skill and scoring. Further, the Maple Leafs are among the most entertaining teams in the NHL. But the Stanley Cup is not won on offense alone.
2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
| Date and Time: | Monday, May 02, 2022, 7:30 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON. |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN2 |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | +1½ (-225) | 6½ (EV) | +105 |  |
| Maple Leafs | -1½ (+185) | 6½ (-120) | -125 | |
| ||||
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Series Schedule
All Times Eastern*
- Game 1: May 2, 7:30 p.m. – Lightning at Maple Leafs – ESPN2
- Game 2: May 4, 7:30 p.m. – Lightning at Maple Leafs – ESPN2
- Game 3: May 6, 7: 30 p.m. – Maple Leafs at Lightning – TBS
- Game 4: May 8, 7 p.m. – Maple Leafs at Lightning – TBS
- Game 5: May 10, TBD – Lightning at Maple Leafs – TBD
- Game 6: May 12, TBD – Maple Leafs at Lightning – TBD
- Game 7: May 14, TBD – Lightning at Maple Leafs – TBD
SBG Odds Overview – Are Leafs Now a Complete Team?
On the whole, nobody has ever doubted the Maple Leafs’ skill. But to hoist hockey’s Holy Grail takes grit, determination, defense, and goaltending. And anyone that denies that is ignoring history and living in offshore betting denial. Toronto’s past playoff failures were because they weren’t mentally tough enough. To show, they failed to do the grunt work necessary to win championships.
Toronto Brings an Impressive Resume to Playoffs
Overall, the Maple Leafs have a record of 53-21-7 and 44-30 over and under the total. Toronto was 30-8-2 and 17-20-3 over and under the total on home ice. The Maple Leafs were 23-13-5 and 27-11-2 over and under the total on the road. IN sum, the Leafs ranked 2nd for goal scoring, 1st for power-play efficiency, 19th for goals allowed, and 7th for penalty killing.
Auston Matthews Leads an Impressive Lineup
Toronto is led by center Auston Matthews, the number one overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft. Matthews exploded for a career NHL betting year in 2021-22 with 60 goals, 46 assists, and a +20. Accordingly, Matthews has scored 40 or more goals in three consecutive seasons.
Last year Mitch Marner was the scapegoat for the Maple Leafs’ playoff debacle against the Montreal Canadiens. Marner scored 35 goals with 62 assists and a +23 for a career-best. But Marner will be under intense pressure to deliver when it matters most and atone for his past playoff failures.
Namely, Morgan Rielly anchors the defensive core for the Leafs. This season Reilly had ten goals, 57 assists, and a +16.
There was a time when goaltender Jack Campbell was heralded as the answer for the Maple Leafs. However, Campbell is coming off an inconsistent season with a .914 save percentage. In turn, Campbell was the Leafs’ best goaltender in the 2021-22 season. There are no alternatives.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe took over in the first half of the 2019-20 season for Mike Babcock. Keefe has not moved the needle when it has mattered most with two abysmal playoff seasons.
Correlate that Tampa Bay is the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion.
SBG Best Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning.