Lightning vs. Maple Leafs Game 7 Odds, Picks, Predictions: NHL Playoffs Betting Preview (Saturday, May 14)
Eakin Howard/Getty Images. Pictured: Andrei Vasilevskiy
- The Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs are set for a winner-take-all Game 7.
- Toronto has home ice, but Tampa Bay has more playoff experience.
- Tony Sartori shares his best bet below.
Lightning vs. Maple Leafs Odds
| Lightning Odds | +105 |
| Maple Leafs Odds | -125 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 (-115/-105) |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
We have a monumental Game 7 matchup as the Tampa Bay Lightning travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs. The defending champions will look to advance to the next round, while the Maple Leafs will look to break their playoff curse on home ice.
Will Toronto finally advance past the first round, or can Tampa Bay force another crushing playoff exit for the Maple Leafs?
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning enter this contest following a 4-3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs in Game 6 on Thursday. Brayden Point played the role of hero in that game as he snuck one in the five-hole on Jack Campbell.
With momentum now in Tampa Bay's favor, the Lightning face a lot less pressure than Toronto in Game 7. With the luxury of being back-to-back champions, the Lightning can play loose as no one would be on their case if they do not win three straight titles.
Future Hall of Famer Andrei Vasilevskiy will be in net for Tampa Bay and has proven to be virtually unbeatable in elimination games. Helping his team to back-to-back titles, Vasilevskiy is 52-32 in the postseason with a 0.921 save percentage.
In his career against Toronto, Vasilevskiy is 13-8-2 with a 0.921 save percentage. In the playoffs, Vasilevskiy is 52-32-0 with a 0.921 save percentage.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs enter this matchup with much more pressure than Tampa Bay. With a young group that has never gotten over the hump, playing at home is more of a disadvantage as they look to break the curse.
This young core has not made it past the first round in their careers and this game won't be different. Toronto has not made it past the first round since 2004 and all of the pressure is on this young group.
It is a disadvantage for Toronto to play this Game 7 at home as it looks to break the curse. Not only does this group have the pressure of the whole country of Canada, but it also must go against the back-to-back world champions.
While Jack Campbell has performed well in his roll, he does not compare to Vasilevskiy. This season, Campbell possesses a mere -0.2 five-on-five goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx).
Lightning vs. Maple Leafs Pick
This game is a simple betting study and I am taking the bait. I would much rather back Tampa Bay and lose than bet on Toronto in a Game 7 and lose. With a toxic fanbase and sub-par goaltending, Toronto has failed to make It past the first round in 18 straight years and I think this game will be no different.
Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning ML (+105) | Play up to (-110)
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