The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue with the start of the second round. Game 1 of the series between the reigning champions, the Florida Panthers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs is scheduled for Monday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Maple Leafs reached this stage for only the second time in two decades by defeating the Ottawa Senators in six games in the “Battle of Ontario.” Meanwhile, the Panthers advanced by winning the “Battle of Florida” against the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.
During the regular season, the Panthers held the edge over their Atlantic Division rivals, winning three of four matchups and outscoring the division-leading Maple Leafs 13-7. Florida also emerged victorious in their sole previous playoff encounter with Toronto, eliminating them in five games in the second round of the 2023 postseason.
In their regular-season meetings, Sam Bennett led the Panthers in goals with three and tied Sam Reinhart for the team lead in points with five. For Toronto, John Tavares also scored three goals, and Mitch Marner contributed three points.
Considering these factors, here are some player prop bets worth looking at for Monday`s opening game:
Best Prop Bets
Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers – Anytime Goal Scorer (+230, bet365)
Although Matthew Tkachuk did not participate in Sunday`s practice, he is expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 against Toronto. The 27-year-old left winger immediately impacted the first-round series versus Tampa Bay, scoring two goals and assisting on another in Game 1 after missing two months due to a lower-body injury sustained at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Tkachuk also found the back of the net in Game 3 of the first round and will be motivated to make an early statement against the Maple Leafs.
Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs – 1+ Assist (+190, DraftKings)
Morgan Rielly recorded just one assist against the Senators in the first round, a dip from his performance in his four previous playoff series where he registered at least three assists in each. However, the 31-year-old defenseman was a significant offensive contributor against the Panthers in the regular season, setting up three of the Maple Leafs` seven goals. Rielly also notched an assist in three out of four games against Florida during their second-round series two years ago.
Brad Marchand, Panthers – Over 0.5 Assists (+240, BetMGM)
This marks Brad Marchand`s first time facing Toronto in the playoffs as a member of the Panthers, but he is very familiar with the Maple Leafs in the postseason. As a player for the Boston Bruins, the 36-year-old center was involved in four seven-game series against Toronto, accumulating 19 assists over 28 contests. Marchand provided four assists in six meetings with the Leafs in the 2024-25 season and also tallied four assists in Florida`s first-round series against Tampa Bay.
Elton Marrow