It’s Drizzy Drake again. Drake wagers a million dollars that the Leafs will defeat the Florida Panthers in game seven tonight.

When you’re a global icon like Drake, putting your money where your heart is becomes a part of your brand. But even for the Toronto-born megastar, a $1 million wager is more than a flex—it’s a high-risk, high-emotion move that’s sending shockwaves across both hockey and celebrity circles. As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for the ultimate showdown in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers tonight, the man known to fans as Drizzy Drake is once again making headlines—not for a new album drop, but for his latest colossal bet.

It’s not the first time Drake has placed eye-popping wagers. In fact, it’s become a bit of a tradition. From NFL Sundays to UFC main events, the 6 God’s betting slips have often become as newsworthy as the games themselves. But this time, it’s personal. This is Toronto. This is the Maple Leafs. And this is Game 7.

On Sunday morning, Drake posted a screenshot to his Instagram Story showing a $1 million bet on the Maple Leafs moneyline, using the betting platform Stake.com—his go-to site for most of his public wagers. The caption was short, classic Drake: “One last ride.” The image featured his signature owl logo in the corner, and the song “Forever” played in the background, a subtle nod to his own journey—and maybe the Maple Leafs’ quest to finally silence decades of playoff frustration.

The internet exploded.

Within minutes, hashtags like #DrakeCurse, #Game7, and #LeafsFaithful began trending across social media. Sports personalities debated the wisdom—or madness—of the move. And Leafs fans? Well, their reaction was split between excitement and a creeping sense of dread.

After all, Drake’s public wagers have a mixed history. When he backed Argentina to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, they did—sort of. His bet was on them to win in regulation. France forced extra time, and Drake lost $1 million. Then there was his infamous bet on Jake Paul to beat Tommy Fury. Another L. The so-called “Drake Curse” has become something of a meme—one the rapper himself has cheekily acknowledged.

But make no mistake: this isn’t a publicity stunt. For Drake, this is as close to his heart as it gets.

The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t reached the Stanley Cup Final since 1967. That’s a full 57 years of heartbreak, near-misses, and Game 7 collapses. For Leafs Nation, the annual playoff journey is an emotional minefield—and 2025 has been no different.

After clawing their way through a brutal series, Toronto forced a Game 7 against a Panthers team that has become their playoff nemesis. The Florida Panthers bounced the Leafs from the playoffs in 2023, and now the ghosts of that series loom large once again.

But this version of the Leafs feels different. Auston Matthews is playing the best hockey of his career. Mitch Marner has matured into a two-way force. Joseph Woll, thrust into the spotlight, has provided stability in net. And under the direction of head coach Craig Berube, the team has taken on a more physical, composed identity.

Still, Game 7s are coin flips. And that’s what makes Drake’s bet such a massive statement. He’s not just wagering money—he’s wagering hope. He’s staking his belief that this time will be different.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the so-called “Drake Curse.”

From Serena Williams to Conor McGregor to the University of Alabama football team, the internet has compiled a long list of athletes and teams that allegedly fell victim to Drake’s touch. But is it a legitimate phenomenon, or just a convenient narrative?

Some fans worry that Drake’s involvement could jinx the Leafs. After all, sports are a superstitious world. When he showed up wearing a Kentucky Wildcats hoodie in 2015, they lost their undefeated season. When he posed for a photo with the Toronto Raptors’ opponents in 2019, people panicked—until the Raptors won the championship.

In fact, the 2019 Raptors run may have broken the curse. Drake was omnipresent—trash-talking from courtside, hosting parties, and even trolling opponents on social media. And yet, the Raptors delivered Toronto its first NBA title. Could the same magic return to Scotiabank Arena for the Leafs?

“It’s superstition,” said TSN’s Darren Dreger. “Players don’t care about what Drake’s betting. But fans do. And when it’s this high-profile, it becomes part of the atmosphere, part of the tension.”

Drake’s partnership with Stake.com has been as lucrative as it is public. He’s not just a user—he’s a brand ambassador. And his betting record reads like a rollercoaster: dramatic highs and equally dramatic lows. In early 2023, he cashed in $2.7 million on a bet involving the Super Bowl. Later that year, he lost $400,000 on a bet involving Israel Adesanya.

But this $1 million Leafs wager isn’t just another celebrity roll of the dice. It’s emotional. It’s symbolic. It’s Toronto vs. the world.

It also raises questions about the line between fandom and financial spectacle. When a millionaire bets a million dollars, is it meaningful? Or just entertainment?

“For Drake, betting is part of the brand,” said cultural analyst Erica Patterson. “It’s how he engages with fans, how he shows loyalty. And with the Leafs, it’s deeply personal. It’s not about the money—it’s about the message: ‘I believe.’”

Inside the Maple Leafs locker room, the reaction to Drake’s bet has been more amused than alarmed.

“We saw the post,” said team captain John Tavares, smiling. “Hey, we’ll take all the support we can get.”

Defenseman Morgan Rielly was more diplomatic. “I don’t think any of us are thinking about that going into the game. But if Drake believes in us, that’s cool.”

Unsurprisingly, head coach Craig Berube wasn’t interested in discussing side stories. “We’re focused on our game. That’s all that matters.”

Still, it’s impossible to ignore the added buzz. Drake isn’t just any fan. He’s Toronto’s biggest cultural export. His involvement elevates the spotlight—and the pressure.

Tonight’s Game 7 is more than a playoff game. It’s a cultural event. Bars in Toronto are filled to capacity. Watch parties are happening across the GTA. Jurassic Park—the outdoor fan zone typically used for Raptors games—is being repurposed for hockey. And everyone’s talking about one thing: Drake’s bet.

It’s become the backdrop to the most important game of the Leafs’ season. And perhaps their most important game in a generation.

“I think it energizes the city,” said longtime Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen. “Whether you love Drake or not, you can’t deny his reach. And he’s one of us. That means something.”

If the Leafs win tonight, Drake’s million-dollar bet becomes legend. A symbolic gesture that marked a turning point in Toronto sports history. Expect Instagram stories, memes, and perhaps a surprise track to follow.

If they lose?

Well, the “Drake Curse” will once again dominate headlines. The memes will return. The Leafs will head into another offseason of soul-searching. And Drake? He’ll take the loss in stride, as he always does—posting some cryptic lyrics, perhaps, and moving on to the next high-stakes bet.