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Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Thursday February 26 2026

By: Kyle Kargel Published 02/26/2026, 08:58 AM ET
Maple Leafs vs Panthers Prediction

Maple Leafs vs Panthers picks are front and center in Sunrise, and if you are looking for sharp NHL picks, this Atlantic Division matchup offers value on the underdog puck line. Florida is priced as a solid home favorite, but the injury context makes this feel like a one-goal game.

TLDR - Picks and Prediction

  • Puck Line Pick: Maple Leafs +1.5
  • Total Pick: Under 6.5
  • Projected Final Score: Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2

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Odds and Line Movement

Current Odds

Market Toronto Florida
Moneyline +134 -162
Puck Line +1.5 (-180 range) -1.5 (+155 range)
Total 6.5 (Under shaded)

Line Movement - Puck Line

Date Time Toronto Florida Public
02/25 01:22:29PM +140 -170
02/26 07:25:52AM +134 -162 FLA 51%, TOR 50%
02/26 05:18:00AM +136 -164 FLA 90%, FLA 66%

Line Movement - Total

Date Time Over Under Public
02/25 01:22:29PM 6.5 (+114) 6.5 (-140)
02/26 05:18:00AM 6.5 (+104) 6.5 (-128)
02/26 03:46:16AM 6.5 (+110) 6.5 (-134)

Panthers

Florida enters with a slight edge in the standings and has been one of the stronger home teams this season. The Panthers rely on structured forechecking and depth scoring rather than run-and-gun hockey.

They are priced around -160 on the moneyline, which reflects home ice and overall team balance.

  • Aleksander Barkov is listed on the injury report.
  • Seth Jones is unavailable.
  • Dmitry Kulikov is unavailable.
  • Tomas Nosek is unavailable.
  • Jonah Gadjovich is unavailable.

Maple Leafs

Toronto remains offensively dangerous. The Leafs have high-end top-six scoring, but their five-on-five consistency has fluctuated on the road.

They return about +135 on the moneyline, with the puck line offering value at +1.5.

  • Chris Tanev is on long-term injured reserve with a groin issue.
  • Tanev’s absence impacts Toronto’s shutdown pairing and penalty kill.
  • Core forwards are otherwise intact.

Maple Leafs vs Panthers Game Preview and Analysis

This matchup is about balance. Florida’s home structure gives it a clear edge, but Barkov’s absence changes the center depth and defensive matchups.

Without Barkov, Florida loses its top two-way presence. That impacts late-game defensive situations and special-teams stability.

Toronto missing Tanev lowers its defensive ceiling, but the Leafs still carry enough scoring punch to keep this tight.

Laying -1.5 goals with Florida feels aggressive given the injury context. The total at 6.5 is shaded to the under, and this projects as a tight, controlled game rather than a track meet.

  • Florida is priced around -160 at home.
  • Toronto is returning roughly +135 on the moneyline.
  • The puck line is Florida -1.5 in the +155 range.
  • The total is 6.5 and shaded to the under at most books.
  • Public action has leaned toward Florida on the moneyline.

Key Injuries and Notes - TOR and FLA

  • TOR: Chris Tanev on LTIR with a groin injury.
  • FLA: Aleksander Barkov listed on injury report.
  • FLA: Seth Jones and Dmitry Kulikov unavailable.
  • FLA: Tomas Nosek and Jonah Gadjovich unavailable.

Final Score Prediction

  • Projected Final Score: Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2

ATS and Total Picks

  • Puck Line Pick: Maple Leafs +1.5
  • Total Pick: Under 6.5
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