Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.
Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario. This multi-purpose arena has a capacity of approximately 18,819 for hockey and is known for its energetic crowd, having hosted the Maple Leafs since 1999 with a history of intense playoff atmospheres.
Recent Team Forms
Florida Panthers: The Panthers have been resilient amid injuries, going 3-2-0 in their last five games with a focus on low-scoring wins. They’ve averaged 2.4 goals per game while allowing 2.6, showing defensive improvement but offensive struggles.
Their last five games:
Jan 4, 2026: W 2-1 vs. Colorado Avalanche (gritty defensive win; held Avalanche to 25 shots).
Jan 2, 2026: L 2-3 vs. Montréal Canadiens (close loss; power-play inefficiency).
Dec 31, 2025: W 4-3 OT at New York Rangers (comeback OT victory; Sam Reinhart game-winner).
Dec 29, 2025: W 3-1 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (solid shutdown; efficient scoring).
Dec 27, 2025: L 1-4 at Tampa Bay Lightning (outworked; limited to 22 shots). Overall form: W-L-W-W-L, with a -1 goal differential in the last five. Road form is middling (8-9-2), but they’ve gone 4-1 SU in their last five inter-division games.
Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs are inconsistent, going 2-2-1 in their last five with high-scoring affairs but defensive lapses. They’ve averaged 3.6 goals per game while allowing 3.8, relying on power plays (20% success rate recently).
Their last five games:
Jan 3, 2026: L 3-4 vs. New York Islanders (competitive but third-period collapse).
Jan 1, 2026: W 6-5 vs. Winnipeg Jets (high-scoring win; Auston Matthews hat trick).
Dec 31, 2025: L 5-7 at Carolina Hurricanes (defensive meltdown; allowed seven goals).
Dec 29, 2025: W 4-2 vs. Boston Bruins (balanced effort; strong PK).
Dec 27, 2025: OTL 3-4 at Ottawa Senators (OT loss; rallied late). Overall form: L-W-L-W-OTL, with a -2 goal differential in the last five. Home form is strong (14-5-5), but they’ve gone 1-3-1 in their last five vs. Atlantic foes.
Series History
The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs have a competitive Atlantic Division rivalry, with Florida holding an 8-5-3 edge over the last five years (since January 5, 2021).
All-time, the Maple Leafs lead the regular-season series, but the Panthers have won 4 of the last 7 meetings, including a 4-2 playoff series victory in 2023. Florida has a 3-2 record in their last five road games against Toronto, outscoring the Leafs by an average of 0.6 goals per game. Games trend toward the over (6 of last 10 over 6 goals), averaging 6.2 combined goals, reflecting offensive outbursts in this matchup.
Injury Report
Florida Panthers:
Seth Jones (D): Out (upper-body; week-to-week, sustained January 3; expected back before Olympic break).
Jonah Gadjovich (LW): Out (undisclosed; on IR).
Cole Schwindt (C): Out (undisclosed; on IR).
Dmitry Kulikov (D): Out (undisclosed).
Matthew Tkachuk (LW): Out (undisclosed; on IR).
Injuries have depleted the Panthers’ blue line and forward depth, forcing reliance on call-ups.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Chris Tanev (D): Out (lower-body; mulling surgery, indefinite).
Dakota Joshua (F): Out long-term (lacerated kidney; upper-body).
Jake McCabe (D): Out (lower-body; expected to miss about a week).
William Nylander (RW): Out (lower-body; January 5 update).
The Leafs’ defense is severely impacted, with multiple key blueliners out, affecting their shutdown pairs.
Key Player Matchups
This Atlantic Division rivalry features high-skilled forwards and defensive challenges, with Toronto’s home ice pushing for physical play. Expect a mid-paced game emphasizing power plays and transitions.
Sam Reinhart (FLA, F) vs. Auston Matthews (TOR, F): Reinhart (recent power-play goal, team-leading scorer) brings versatility vs. Matthews (hat trick January 1, explosive shooter). Matthews’ size could dominate the slot, but Reinhart’s two-way play may limit chances.
Aleksander Barkov (FLA, C) vs. Mitch Marner (TOR, F): Barkov (elite faceoff man, 55% wins) matches Marner’s playmaking (top assists). This center-wing battle could control possession in 5-on-5.
Carter Verhaeghe (FLA, F) vs. Morgan Rielly (TOR, D): Verhaeghe (speedy scorer) tests Rielly’s mobility on the blue line; key for rush opportunities.
Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA, G) vs. Anthony Stolarz (TOR, G): Bobrovsky (.905 SV%) faces a test vs. Stolarz (backup likely starting amid injuries, .910 SV%). Goaltending favors Bobrovsky’s experience.
Betting Trends
Florida Panthers: 18-23 ATS overall (9-12 ATS away). They’ve gone 20-21 on over/under (10-11 O/U away). Trends: 3-2 SU in last five, but 2-4 ATS as favorites; under in 4 of last six road games; 4-1 ATS vs. Atlantic Division lately.
Toronto Maple Leafs: 19-22 ATS overall (13-11 ATS home). 22-19 on over/under (12-12 O/U home). Trends: 2-2-1 SU in last five, 3-2 ATS as underdogs; over in 4 of last six home games; 1-4 SU vs. winning teams recently.
Head-to-Head: Panthers 8-5-3 SU last five years; over in 4 of last 10 (average 6.2 goals). NHL trends: Road underdogs like Panthers are 50% ATS in divisional games; Atlantic matchups hit the over 52% with totals at 6.5.
Game Odds
Florida Panthers – 125
Toronto Maple Leafs 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 5, 2026
