The Stanley Cup Final is set! The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers both won their respective Conference Finals series in six games to advance to the Cup Final. Both teams trailed 2-1 in the Conference Finals before ripping off three straight wins to win the series. Let’s get right into our Stanley Cup Final betting preview with odds, picks, predictions, and more in what should be a great series between the Oilers and Panthers.
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Stanley Cup Final Betting Preview: Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers
STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE
Florida Panthers (1A) vs. Edmonton Oilers (2P)
Game 1: Oilers at Panthers — June 8, 8 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 2: Oilers at Panthers — June 10, 8 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 3: Panthers at Oilers — June 13, 8 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 4: Panthers at Oilers — June 15, 8 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
*Game 5: Oilers at Panthers — June 18, 8 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
*Game 6: Panthers at Oilers — June 21, 8 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
*Game 7: Oilers at Panthers — June 24, 8 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Panthers vs. Oilers odds
Florida Panthers (-130) | Edmonton Oilers (+110)
Panthers -1.5 Games (+160) | Oilers +1.5 Games (-190)
Over 5.5 Games (-190) | Under 5.5 Games (+155)
The Panthers are slight favorites here in the Stanley Cup Final with -130, implying a 56.52% chance of victory. The Oilers have an implied 47.62% chance at +110.
Panthers vs. Oilers Picks & Predictions
The Florida Panthers have yet to face elimination in these Stanley Cup Playoffs. They went up 3-0 against the Lightning before advancing in Game 5, took down the Bruins in six games after losing Game 1, and did the same to the Rangers after losing Games 2 and 3.
On the flip side, the Oilers faced elimination twice in one series this postseason. They took care of the Kings in five games but faced a 3-2 deficit against the Canucks in the second round. However, Edmonton came back strong to finish off Vancouver in Games 6 and 7. Of course, the Oilers prevailed over the Stars in the Western Conference Final in six games.
This should be an intense Stanley Cup Final between two teams with different styles of play.
The Oilers have two of the best players in the world in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and they rely heavily on them. McDavid (31 points) has a point on just under half of the Oilers’ 63 goals this postseason. The top power-play unit of McDavid, Draisaitl (28 points), Evan Bouchard (27), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (20), and Zach Hyman (18) lead the way for the top-heavy Oilers.
The Panthers, on the other hand, have a more balanced attack. Seven players have at least 10 points in the postseason, with Matthew Tkachuk (19), Carter Verhaeghe (17), and Aleksander Barkov (17) leading the way. Florida tends to control possession and play, limiting the opposition to just 2.17 expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 play.
In fact, Florida has the best xGF% in the playoffs at 55.02%, while Edmonton is just under 50%. Teams have been able to control play against the Oilers at 5-on-5, but their lethal power play—and even better penalty kill—has given them the edge.
Florida has been playing playoff-like hockey for over a year now. The Panthers got hot to make it into the playoffs last year and went on a Cinderella Run to the Stanley Cup Final.
It’s the high-powered offense of Edmonton against the stout defense of Florida in the Stanley Cup Final. How’s that old saying go? Defense wins championships.
Stanley Cup Final Pick: Panthers (-130)
Stanley Cup Final Prediction: Panthers in 6 (+500)
