2023 NHL Playoffs First Round: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs Game 1 Preview and Prediction

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs are all set for their game one matchup tonight from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Puck-drop between the two Atlantic Division squads is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.

The defending Eastern Conference champions in the Tampa Bay Lightning start their journey to try and get back to the Stanley Cup Finals. Winners of multiple championships in recent years, the Lightning are a veteran team that just knows how to win hockey games come playoff time no matter how their regular season went. It’s been an up and down season for them and they have a tough matchup with the Maple Leafs to kick things off. If their defense can shape up a little entering this series, then the Lightning will have to feel good about themselves here.

As for Toronto, is this the year that they finally break the first round series drought? They haven’t won a playoff series since 2004 and it’s now a running joke around the league. However, this team seems a little different. They are a more connected unit and are extremely explosive on the offensive end of the ice. This team has massive pressure on it to win this series and get rid of the weight on the shoulders of this once historic franchise.

Game Prediction: Tampa Bay Lighting 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 4 (OT)

I like this game to be back and forth, eventually heading into overtime. However, the Lightning steal game one on the road adding to the woes of the Maple Leafs. Sorry Toronto fans for this one.

Odds Presented By Betfred Sportsbook 

Spread – Tampa Bay Lightning +1.5 (-200) / Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 (+170)

Moneyline – Tampa Bay Lightning +135 / Toronto Maple Leafs -160

Total – 6.0 – Over (+100) / Under (-120)

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