Panthers vs Oilers NHL Stanley Cup Final Game 1 Picks
For just the second time this century, and first time in 16 years, we have a rematch in the Stanley Cup Finals. After winning in seven games last season, the defending champs, the Florida Panthers, play at the Edmonton Oilers tomorrow night to open the 2025 championship series.
Both teams viewed the regular season as an annoyance, finishing third in their respective divisions, and each faced adversity earlier in the playoffs. But both the Panthers and Oilers both are smoking hot right now.
The Oilers lost the first two games of their first-round series with the Los Angeles Kings. Since then, they have won 12 of 14 and easily eliminated both the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars in five games.
After dropping Game 1 against the Stars, Edmonton outscored them 19-5 in winning the next four games to eliminate Dallas in the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season.
After handling the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, the Panthers were down 2-0 and taken to seven games by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round before advancing.
Florida then crushed the Carolina Hurricanes in five games in the Eastern Conference Finals, scoring five or more goals four times and outsourcing their opponents 21-10 in the series.
Let’s get into our Panthers vs Oilers predictions and best bets for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday, June 4.
Panthers vs Oilers Predictions
Pick #1: Florida Panthers +1.5 over Edmonton Oilers (-225)
Pick #2: Over 6 Goals (-120)
Pick #3: Connor McDavid 2+ points (-105)
Pick #1: Panthers +1.5 over Oilers (-225)
Something has to give here. Edmonton has gone 6-1 at home this postseason, outscoring opponents 33-17. The Oilers have been dominant in their last three at Rogers Place, shutting out Vegas 3-0 before scoring 10 goals in two games to trample the Stars.
But they’re going up against the Panthers now. This is a Florida squad that has gone 8-2 on the road this postseason. And, since dropping two games at Toronto to start that series, the team has won five straight road contests, outscoring the Maple Leafs and then the Hurricanes 27-7 in that period.
Florida only won one of three games at Rogers Place in last year’s Stanley Cup Finals, and were badly beaten in the final two games by a combined score of 13-2. But the Panthers did take that first game 4-3 and they also won 6-5 at Edmonton this season in a barnburner.
With both teams playing exceptionally, it’s hard to see either winning by more than a goal, so Florida getting 1.5 here on the puck line looks to be the best bet.
Pick #2: Over 6 goals (-120)
Both teams are scoring at will this postseason. Edmonton leads the NHL with more than four goals per game in the playoffs, with Florida not far behind at 3.88 goals per contest. The Panthers have totaled six or more goals 12 times in 17 postseason contests. The Oilers have done the same 11 times in 16 games.
These teams have done an excellent job defensively in the playoffs, with Florida holding opponents to 2.29 goals per game, with Edmonton also under three at 2.81. However, I’m expecting them to come out firing here. Edmonton desperately wants to take a series lead after falling behind 3-0 in last year’s Finals. As for the Panthers, they want to gain the edge psychologically by flipping home ice to their advantage.
Combine that with the fact these teams combined for 18 goals in two one-goal contests in the regular season, and it has all the makings of a 4-3-style classic.
Pick #3: Connor McDavid 2+ points (-105)
Connor McDavid has to still have a bad taste in his mouth after what happened in last year’s Finals. He had 42 points in the 2024 playoffs, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in a losing effort. Only guys named Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux have recorded more in a single postseason. In addition, his 34 assists set an NHL record. But he was held scoreless in three Stanley Cup Finals games against the Panthers, including Game 6 and Game 7.
With those lingering memories paired with another phenomenal postseason, McDavid is primed for a Game 1 breakout. He leads the NHL with 20 assists and 26 points, recording a point in 14 of Edmonton’s 16 games.
For these purposes, McDavid has tallied two or more points in nine postseason games this year. That includes three straight and in four of the five Western Conference Finals games against Dallas. It is tempting to take the seven-time All-Star and three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner as league MVP to get three or more points at +300, but let’s not get too greedy. Two or more points should suffice in Game 1.
