Game 2 Lightning vs Leafs Prediction, Odds & Props

• After an embarrassing Game 1 defeat, the Maple Leafs host Tampa for Game 2 on Thursday, April 20th
• Expect both the Lightning and Maple Leafs to ice different lineups for Game 2 of this series
• Below, you can find the Lightning vs Maple Leafs Game 2 odds, as well as our best bet and pick

It couldn’t have been a much worse start to the postseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Facing the same squad that eliminated them last year, the Leafs were down 3-0 after the first period in what ended up finishing off as a 7-3 loss to the Lightning.

Having said that, you could tell this was a playoff affair as the physical play was significantly high for the first two periods in a penalty-marred affair.

The Leafs get their chance to square things up on Thursday, April 20th with faceoff scheduled for 7:00 pm ET at Scotiabank Arena. This game will be broadcast on ESPN, CBC and Sportsnet. You can see the Lightning vs Maple Leafs odds for Game 2 below, as well as our best bet and prediction.

Lightning vs Maple Leafs Game 2 Odds

During last season’s seven-game first-round series between these two, the sides alternated wins and losses until Tampa took the final two contests of the series to advance. Oddsmakers don’t see Toronto losing two straight at home, and have made the Leafs -165 moneyline home favorites to even things up.

It was an odd Tuesday in the NHL Playoff Bracket, as every higher seed in the four games scheduled lost their series openers. Even more eye-opening is that three of those squads, including the Leafs lost by four goals.

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Odds as of April 19th at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Lightning vs Maple Leafs Lineup News For Game 2

Expect some changes to the lineups for both squads on Thursday evening. There could be a big swing in the NHL odds for this contest if Tampa’s blueline anchor, Victor Hedman, isn’t healthy enough to play.

The former Conn Smythe trophy winner didn’t play a single shift after the first period, leaving with an undisclosed injury. Coach Jon Cooper indicated his superstar defenseman would be a game-time decision for Game 2.

Definitely out for the Lightning will be another rearguard, Erik Cernak as well as forward Michael Eysimmont. Both players were recipients of massive hits and coach Jon Cooper stated they won’t be available. If Hedman can’t go, it would be catastrophic for Tampa’s blueline. Here’s how the pairings could look like if their anchor is out.

Tampa Bay Defense vs Maple Leafs

As mentioned, Hedman may still play, but even if he does, it’s obvious he won’t be anywhere near 100%, so the Leafs need to take advantage. With Hedman out of the lineup, the Leafs will have no excuse not to dominate, given the possible combinations listed above.

The one morsel of good news with regards to lineup changes for the Bolts, could be the return of physical forward Tanner Jeannot, who was acquired at the deadline. He’s been out with a lower-body injury for the last couple of weeks.

For Toronto, although nothing had been announced at the time of publication, it’s fully expected that Michael Bunting be suspended for at least one game for his hit on Cernak. This will provide an opportunity for rookie Matthew Knies to draw in as Sheldon Keefe appears to have changed his lines up front.

Some changes to the Leafs (likely) Game 2 lineup with Michael Bunting out of the mix:

Järnkrok — Matthews — Marner 
Kerfoot — Tavares — Nylander
Knies — O’Reilly — Acciari
Aston-Reese — Kämpf — Lafferty 

McCabe — Brodie
Giordano — Holl
Rielly — Schenn

— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) April 19, 2023

Auston Matthews Best Bet in Game 2 Player Props

As always, the pressure will be on the Maple Leafs big boys to lead them to a victory, particularly Auston Matthews. Although it’s tough to pick anybody who played well in a 7-3 loss, the Leafs sniper was the best of the bunch.

He tallied four goals in the series against the Lightning last year and with a Tampa defense that was already worse off before their injuries, nobody should be able to take advantage more than the two-time Rocket Richard trophy winner. Expect him to come out firing as he pays +110 to have over 4.5 shots on net.

Auston Matthews tonight

16:37 Icetime
— 2 Assists
— 7 Shot Attempts
— 5 Hits
— 3 Takeaways
— 1 Penalty Drawn

On-Ice for
— 3 Goals For
— 0 Goals Against

It's hard to blame Auston. pic.twitter.com/0i6uz0cr9C

— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) April 19, 2023

Another good prop play would be to take Morgan Rielly to get over 0.5 points. With odds of -110, the Leafs power play quarterback is worth a wager. Toronto scored twice with the man advantage in Game 1 and although his name didn’t find the scoresheet, he had six points in last year’s series getting at least one point in five games.

Lightning vs Maple Leafs Game 2 Prediction

It’s hard to even imagine how much the Leafs’ Stanley Cup odds will lengthen if they can’t avoid what would amount to a calamitous defeat in Game 2. Particularly given the injury issues Tampa is dealing with.

Ilya Samsonov has to be better, but so does the entire squad. It’s worth noting, that Toronto actually got to within one of Tampa before some questionable decisions by the referees and Bunting’s ill-advised hit entirely changed the complexion of the contest.

Full disclosure, I did pick the Leafs to dominate Game 1 and was shocked with their lack of intensity off the hop. However, Tampa is already losing the battle of attrition and if Toronto doesn’t show some resolve here, not only will it spell doom for the series, but the franchise may undergo massive off-season changes.

Our prediction is that the Leafs respond in a big way against a hurting Lightning squad.

Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs Puck Line -1.5 (+165)