The time is here that every single hockey fan is waiting for: The Stanley Cup Finals. The Florida Panthers are set to face the Edmonton Oilers in the big dance, with Game 1 scheduled for Saturday at Amerant Bank Arena, the home of the Cats. Florida is in the Cup for the second year in a row after losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, while Edmonton is making its first appearance in the Finals since 2006. It’s a long time coming for Connor McDavid and Co. This should be a remarkable series between two stellar teams and it could very well go the full seven games. Continue reading for the Stanley Cup Finals picks.
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The Panthers are the favorite in the Stanley Cup Finals with -133 odds for an implied win probability of 57.08%. The Oilers meanwhile sit at +118 and have a 45.87% chance of coming out as champions for the first time since 1990. The Cats have never won a Cup in their history.
When it comes to head-to-head meetings, Florida won both in 2023-24, outscoring the Oilers 10-4. Something to keep in mind.
Florida has been a team on a mission all year long after falling just short of a title last June. While many labeled their run to the Finals as a fluke, the Panthers only proceeded to go out and win the Atlantic Division in the regular season, arguably the toughest division in all of hockey. Florida posted a 52-24-6 record, finishing one point above the Boston Bruins. They were one of the most electric teams in the league and that hasn’t changed in these playoffs.
Paul Maurice’s squad wiped the floor with the rival Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, winning that series in five games. The Cats then took down the Bruins for the second consecutive season before besting the Presidents’ Trophy winner New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The clear strength of Florida in the postseason is their blue line and goaltending. They’re allowing just 2.29 goals per contest, much in part to Sergei Bobrovsky’s brilliance in net. The defense in front of him is also absolutely rock solid.
Offensively, the Panthers are averaging 3.24 goals per night, which isn’t unreal. However, a lot of different players are contributing. Matthew Tkachuk is leading the charge with 19 points, while Carter Verhaeghe and Aleksander Barkov have chipped in 17 each. Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart also had 12. Two others are in double digits in points in the playoffs as well. This is a very well-rounded group with all the motivation in the world to finally win a ring after how things unfolded last year. But, it won’t be easy against the Oilers. The key will be to slow down McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who are a handful for anyone. If they can limit their production, Florida has a real chance of being champions.
A lot of fans are thinking just that. The Oilers are finally in the Stanley Cup. Ever since Edmonton drafted McDavid, all of hockey has been waiting for this organization to make it to the Finals. They’ve had so many talented rosters but defending and goaltending always proved to be an issue. The Oilers evidently figured that out this season and also in the playoffs. Edmonton is averaging 3.50 goals per game and conceding just 2.61, which is certainly respectable. Aside from a couple of poor games, Stuart Skinner is more or less doing his job in between the posts.
When you think of the Oilers, you think of offense. This is easily the best offensive team in the NHL and they’ve shown just that in the postseason. The top four in playoff points? All from Edmonton. Connor McDavid (32), Leon Draisaitl (28), Evan Bouchard (27), and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (20). Zach Hyman is also in the top 10. Yes, McDavid and Draisaitl are brilliant, but this entire core is doing its part. It’s been a treat to watch.
Edmonton had a tough road to get to the Cup, first taking down the Los Angeles Kings in the conference quarterfinals. The top-seeded Vancouver Canucks then pushed the Oilers to the absolute brink in round two, with that series going seven games. Edmonton brought their absolute best in a tightly contested West Final, eliminating the Dallas Stars in six games. The key for the Oilers versus Florida will be continuing to flourish in front of goal. If they do, it’s hard to imagine them losing.
I truly believe this is the Oilers’ year. The core is special and they will produce the goods in the Stanley Cup. Take the Edmonton moneyline.
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