Here we go again.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been snake-bitten in the NHL Playoffs for the past two decades, and now they face yet another Game 7 on Saturday night when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning in a winner-take-all elimination game.
Lightning vs. Leafs Game 7 Odds
Here are the odds for Game 7, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
Moneyline:
- Lightning +105
- Maple Leafs -125
Puck line:
- Lightning +1.5 (-250)
- Maple Leafs -1.5 (+200)
Total:
- 6.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
The Lightning Will Defeat the Maple Leafs in Game 7
It brings me no joy to bring this pick to you, but it might just be the ? of the millennium. pic.twitter.com/5NTjGRtsrh
— Iain MacMillan (@IainMacBets) May 13, 2022
Everything is working against the Maple Leafs in Game 7, and the curse will continue this season. If they lose, it'll be their seventh-straight first round exit in the playoffs. It's also be the fifth-straight Game 7 loss (2020 was Game 5 against the Blue Jackets, but it was a best-of-five due to COVID).
Entering the game, the Leafs are 0-9 in potential series clinching games dating back to 2013.
Leafs in potential series clinching games since 2013
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 13, 2022
Record 0-9
Goals For 20
Goals Against 38
Power Play 10.5% (0 PPG in last 7)
Penalty Kill 58.8%
In those nine series clinching games, they have a -18 goal differential, and their penalty kill is a measly 58.8%. Now, they have to try to fight their demons against the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions.
Not only that, but Lightning goaltender, Andrei Vasilevskiy has been absolutely LIGHTS OUT in recent series clinching games. He has FIVE STRAIGHT shutouts in series clinching games.
Andrei Vasilevskiy has shutouts in the last five #TBLightning series-clinching games. Incredible.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 8, 2021
The Maple Leafs are done, my friends. Game 6 was their chance. Better luck next season.
You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.