Florida Panthers go for the sweep vs the Toronto Maple Leafs East 2nd Round Game 4 – Wednesday, 7 ET on ESPN (FLA leads 3-0)

Florida Panthers go for the sweep vs the Toronto Maple Leafs East 2nd Round Game 4 – Wednesday, 7 ET on ESPN (FLA leads 3-0).

Teams that hold a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs round hold an all-time series record of 199-4 (.980).

The four teams to earn a series win after facing a 3-0 deficit were the Kings in the 2014 First Round, Flyers in the 2010 Conference Semifinals, Islanders in the 1975 Quarterfinals and Maple Leafs in the 1942 Stanley Cup Final.

Of the 203 best-of-7 series all-time to start with one team winning the first 3 games, the team leading has gone to sweep the series 127 times (62.6%).

When the series began, the Maple Leafs were a -200 betting favorite at Caesars Sportsbook, with the Panthers coming back as +175 underdogs.

The Panthers are now -1000 to win the series with the Maple Leafs at +650 in their quest to become the 5th team to recover from a 3-0 deficit and win the series.

At the beginning of the series, the Maple Leafs were the betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup at +350 and the Panthers were +1000, the 2nd-largest underdog ahead of the Kraken at 18-1.

The Panthers are now +350, the shortest odds to win the Cup.

According to Stathletes’ projections (think ESPN Analytics-type projections -based on data, performance, etc.), the Panthers chance to Reach Conf Final is at 94.3% entering Tuesday night’s action.

They have a 48.5% chance to win the Conference Final and at 25.2% they are the current Cup favorite thanks to the 3-0 lead over the Leafs!

Trailing 3-1 heading into Game 5 vs the Bruins, their chance of winning the last 6 (3 straight in that Bruins comeback + now a 3-0 lead on Leafs) was just about 0.9%.

The Panthers had an 8.4% chance to reach the 2nd Round after falling behind Boston 3-1, and a 1.9% chance to win the Cup.  Now they a have a 25% chance to win it all.

The Maple Leafs are down 3-0 in a best-of-7 series for the 12th time in franchise history. In 9 of those 12 instances, they were swept out of the playoffs.

Twice they were eliminated in five games, but in the 1942 Stanley Cup Final, they won 4 straight against the Canadiens, becoming the first of four teams to accomplish the feat in Stanley Cup playoff history.

The Maple Leafs did not have a power play opportunity in Game 3. It marked the first time since the NHL first started tracking team PP and PK numbers in 1977-78 that Toronto didn’t have the man advantage for an entire game (250th playoff game in that span).

The last game the Maple Leafs did have a power play opportunity was Mar. 10, 2022 against the Coyotes (lost 5-4 in OT).

In the First Round against the Lightning, the Maple Leafs averaged 9.74 giveaways per 60 minutes, which were 8th most. The turnover rate has risen in this series, as the Maple Leafs have the most giveaways per 60 minutes at 14.09.

Lots more coming up today on Shemon and Sheppard 2-6pm.

The NFL Schedule gets released this Thursday, May 11th. We already know the teams that will be facing each other in 2023. The league will let all of us know the date and times for the 272 games that make up the NFL regular season. If you want to check out who your team is playin, just click here. I wanted to take a look at each NFL teams biggest opponent in 2023. Some of the intriguing divisional match-ups are the AFC East vs the AFC West. AFC East vs the NFL East, and the AFC West vs the NFL North. The AFC North looks to have one of the easier crossover opponents going up against the NFC West and AFC South. First place teams from last year play the first place teams from the other divisions in the conference.

The league announced last week that the Patriots and Chiefs will host games in Germany, although their opponents have not been announced. Expect the Chiefs to open up the season on Thursday, September 7th. Their home opponents are fantastic, and give the NFL options for their opening game. In addition to the 3 AFC West opponents, Kansas City will host Buffalo, Miami, Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia. My thoughts are the Bengals make perfect sense for a ton of reasons. A rematch of the AFC Championship Game brings eyeballs to the screen. And Burrow vs. Mahomes is starting to feel like Brady vs Manning in the early 2000's. Here is each NFL teams biggest opponent in 2023.

Biggest Opponent: At Houston Texans

The Cardinals have very low expectations for 2023. Quarterback Kyler Murray isn't expected back until the back half of season coming off an ACL tear. They will be in the conversation for the #1 overall pick. This game is a big one if the organization wants to move on from Murray this offseason and go with Caleb Williams in 2024.

Biggest Opponent: New Orleans Saints

I'm going to try to stay away from all divisional matchups. But I think these are the two best teams in the NFC South. If Atlanta can sweep the Saints it will give them a huge advantage in getting to the playoffs. The Falcons seem committed to finding out if Desmond Ridder is the guy beyond 2023.

Biggest Opponent: Los Angeles Chargers

Obviously Baltimore will always look forward to their Steelers games and the Bengals now that they've established themselves in the top-3 of the AFC. But I think the Chargers and Ravens will be battling for the top wildcard spot in the AFC. The Dolphins should be there too, but Baltimore goes to Miami while hosting the Chargers, and you've got to win your home games.

Biggest Opponent: at Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals and Bills have been at the top of the AFC for a few years now, but the only game was cut short when Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field last year. Kansas City is still the top dog in the AFC until someone supplants them. That leaves the Bills and Bengals battling for second best in the conference.

Biggest Opponent: At Chicago Bears

The Panthers got their quarterback of the future in the Draft with Bryce Young. Now it's time to see how he stacks up against the other young quarterbacks in the league. If he can go into Soldier Field and walk out with a win over Justin Field, Panthers fans should feel really good about Young.

Biggest Opponent: Green Bay Packers

The Packers have a big question mark at quarterback for the first time what feels like 30 years. The Lions and Vikings are better than the Bears I think. If the Bears can beat the Packers this year and push the Pack to the bottom of the division, it will be a huge statement for the Bears.

Biggest Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs

The Bengals know they can go into Arrowhead and walk out with the W. They did in the 2021 AFC Championship Game in come from behind fashion. But they couldn't do a lot in last year's AFC Championship Game. The Bengals obviously don't have to win this game to host a playoff game. But Joey B and the Bengals would love to see the AFC Playoffs go through Cincy.

Biggest Opponent: At Denver Broncos

Obviously the divisional games are huge for the Browns. However, the Browns and Broncos were two of the more disappointing teams in 2022. Deshawn Watson has no suspensions in his future and should find his for this year. I put both teams in the 3rd tier of the AFC where they are clearly a ways away from winning the division, but could make a playoff push if they win the right games.

Biggest Opponent: Detroit Lions

Sorry Cowboys fans, but you're nowhere near the Eagles and 49ers for top dog in the NFC. I could have picked Giants games here, but I think Detroit has a shot at being the third best team in the NFC this year. If Dallas can beat the Lions (like they did last year) they will once again be one of the best of the rest in the conference.

Biggest Opponent: Los Angeles Chargers

This one is just too obvious. The Broncos were the most disappointing team in the NFL last year. They want to take the next step by bringing in Sean Payton, and the Chargers are the team standing in their way in terms of the wild card picture. The Broncos need to get past the Chargers if they want to live up to their potential.

Biggest Opponent: Minnesota Vikings

The Lions have not won a divisional title since 1991. It appears the Vikings are the team most in the way of them completing that task in 2023. The Lions went 1-1 vs Minnesota last year. A sweep from the Lions would most likely give them the inside track for the 2023 divisional crown.

Biggest Opponent: New York Giants

This is Jordan Love's team now. We have seen very little of Love so far in his career, but the reports out of Green Bay this offseason say the team is excited to see him in action. I tried to pick a boarder line playoff team with average quarterback play. I think the Giants check that box. If the Packers can show they have the talent to beat a well coached team like New York who doesn't beat themselves, then they will be just fine moving forward.

Biggest Opponent: At Carolina Panthers

This one boils down to Stroud vs. Young, the top 2 picks from this year's NFL Draft. I think Carolina's roster is much better than Houston's, but if Stroud can outduel Young, then they will feel great about the direction of the franchise.

Biggest Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

This was a tough one to handicap. Anthony Richardson is the future in Indy, but all the draft prognosticators said he needed time to develop. I think if the Colts can show they are on the same level as the Steelers, then the fan base will feel really good about the future.

Biggest Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals

The Jags took a huge leap forward in 2022. They came up short against the Chiefs in the divisional round, but held their own. The Jags get the Chiefs, Bengals, and Bills in 2023, so I took the home game against the Bengals as opposed to the home game against the Chiefs and their road game for the Bills. If the Jags beat the Bengals they could push to be in the top tier of the AFC.

Biggest Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals

I know the Chiefs get the Eagles this year. No doubt that will be a huge game. But the Bengals game is more important in terms of the playoffs and having the AFC go through Arrowhead. I chose the Bengals over the Bills because I think the Bills will take a small step back in a really good division that will take them out of the running for the 1 seed.

Biggest Opponent: New England Patriots

Vegas pulled out one of the most improbable wins of 2022 against the Pats. I think both teams will be towards the bottom of the AFC, but I'm sure Josh McDaniels would love to beat Bill Belichick for a second straight year. A loss for the Raiders and they will be firmly at the bottom of the conference with Houston.

Biggest Opponent: Miami Dolphins

The Chargers beat the Fins on Sunday Night Football last year that ended up being the game between the two when the season finished. The Ravens could be in the mix for biggest opponent, but I think the home game is the one they need the most.

Biggest Opponent: Seattle Seahawks

The Rams were decimated by injuries last year. That trend tends to not repeat itself- although the Chargers would argue with that. Even with a healthy roster I think San Francisco has surpassed the Rams. But if the Rams want to get back in the playoff picture they'll need to beat the Seahawks at least once.

Biggest Opponent: New York Jets

One could make the argument Tua's health is the biggest opponent for the Fins in 2023. But in the division it seems like the Jets and Dolphins will fight it out for second best in the division and could challenge Buffalo for the division. The Dolphins will need to get at least one of the games against the Jets if they want to at least battle for a wild card spot.

Biggest Opponent: Detroit Lions

One of the rare instances where each team's biggest opponent are each other. Green Bay is a class organization, but I can't put them up with the Lions and Vikings in the division until I see more from Jordan Love. For that reason I think if the Vikings can sweep the Lions (or vice versa) they will have the inside tract to win the division.

Biggest Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Patriots have one of the worst rosters in the AFC. As long as Bill Belichick is in charge, they will always be a tough out. I think the Pats are poised to finish in the cellar of the AFC East, and if they lose to the Steelers, they will have to pull more than a few big upsets if they want to get to 6 wins.

Biggest Opponent: Detroit Lions

The Saints are the odds on favorite to win the NFC South. And how couldn't they be with Derek Carr going up against Bryce Young, Desmond Ridder, and Baker Mayfield. But how do the Saints stack up against the rest of the NFC? They are clearly below the Eagles and 49ers, but if they can go toe to toe with the Lions, they can show the rest of the conference they are going to be a tough out in the playoffs.

Biggest Opponent: Dallas Cowboys

This is one of the league's greatest rivalries, and two pretty evenly matched teams. The Giants want to take the next step and surpass the Cowboys in the division. I could have also chosen the Seattle Seahawks because I think they are very similar teams. But the divisional importance tilted the scale in favor to Dallas.

Biggest Opponent: Miami Dolphins

The Jets are the biggest question mark in the NFL going into 2023. The roster was very good last year, but quarterback play held them to just 7 wins. Aaron Rodgers is supposed to fix those problems, but he was not the version of Aaron Rodgers that we've been used to. Could the Jets push for the division, absolutely. Could they also go .500 in the division, sure. If the Jets can get two wins over Miami, they should be firmly in the Wild Card mix at worst.

Biggest Opponent: San Francisco 49ers

The Eagles have constructed one of the best rosters in the sport and have zoomed by other NFC East teams. In fact in the NFC it looks to be Eagles and 49ers followed by the grand canyon before another team gets in the discussion. I think this game will play a pivotal role in determining home field advantage in the NFC Championship game.

Biggest Opponent: Cleveland Brown

I had a tough time with this one. The Ravens games will always be a huge game for the Steelers. But I think the Steelers should set their sites on solidifying themselves as the 3rd best team in the division. That's not saying they are not good or that they won't contend for a wild card spot. The AFC is just that deep.

Biggest Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles

Like I said; these are the two best rosters in the NFC. Could other teams pop up? Sure- this is the NFL. But right now the 9ers and Eagles look to be head and shoulders above the rest of the conference.

Biggest Opponent: Detroit Lions

What a wild world we live in. The Seahawks and Lions look like they will be battling to be the 3rd best team in the NFC. I really think the winner of this game makes a statement to the rest of the league. Looking at other big opponents on the Seattle schedule the New York Giants seem to be in a similar realm as the Lions and Seahawks.

Biggest Opponent: Houston Texans

I don't have very high expectations for the Bucs this season. I think the coaching staff in place is broken as evidence from last season. This feels like a year where the Bucs tear it down and start building for the future. I think the Bucs will be in the running for Caleb Williams and the #1 overall pick. A win over Houston could take them out of that running.

Biggest Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars

I don't know what to think about the Titans this year. They have been a good to very good team for the last 4 seasons or so, but the end of 2022 was atrocious. I don't know if their 0-7 to the finish was a sign that the experiment is over, or if it really was just Ryan Tannehill not being there. The Jags are loaded, but there is something to an older team that knows how to win. They won't be an easy out for the Jags.

Biggest Opponent: New York Giants

The Commanders went 0-1-1 against the Giants last year, but the loss ended on a very questionable call by the refs. The franchise seems to believe in Sam Howell. If he can show that he's a better quarterback that Daniel Jones, then the Commanders will have a shot at a wild card spot. .