The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will face off in the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year, starting Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.
The Panthers won last year’s championship in seven games but enter this series as slight underdogs, with the Oilers favored at -130 and the Panthers at +110.
Florida advanced by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games, and the Carolina Hurricanes in five games, recovering from a 0-2 deficit against the Maple Leafs.
The Oilers reached the final by beating the Los Angeles Kings in six games, the Vegas Golden Knights in five, and the Dallas Stars in five, also overcoming a 0-2 start against the Kings.
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The Panthers have now made history as the fourth team since 1980 to reach the Stanley Cup Final in three straight seasons. They aim to become the third team since 2000 to secure back-to-back Cup victories.
However, to achieve this, they must overcome an Oilers team eager to capture their first Stanley Cup since 1990. Last season, Edmonton was just one win away but fell short against the Panthers in a tense Game 7.
This postseason, the Oilers have been determined to seize another opportunity at the Cup.
After trailing 2-0 in their opening round against the Kings, they’ve bounced back with an impressive record of 12-2, defeating both the Vegas Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars along the way.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been exceptional, leading the NHL in postseason scoring with 26 and 25 points, respectively.
As they aim for the Cup, their contributions will be even more crucial, especially with Zach Hyman out of the lineup.
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It’s been since 1998 that we’ve witnessed a sweep in the Stanley Cup Finals, so the odds of +750 for that to occur from either side seem low to me.
Seven of the last ten Finals have gone at least six games, and I’m willing to bet that trend will hold true this year as well.
These teams know each other well after their thrilling seven-game series last year. This time, the Oilers have home-ice advantage, a shift from last year’s decisive game in South Florida.
The Panthers started strong, taking a 3-0 lead and dominating with an 11-4 score in the first three games, effectively containing Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.
Although he was held scoreless, he contributed three assists. Edmonton bounced back, scoring 18 goals in Games 4-6 to tie the series, but Florida won Game 7 at home, 2-1, preventing McDavid from completing the comeback.
Both teams excelled on the penalty kill last year, with only six of the 42 goals scored on special teams.
Predicting this year’s series is difficult, given last year’s outcome. McDavid has the chance to follow in the footsteps of legends like Gretzky and Crosby by winning his first Cup in a rematch.
Edmonton faces a tough veteran Panthers team, making it a risky bet.
However, with a stronger lineup and goaltender Stuart Skinner’s recent success, I believe McDavid and the Oilers will overcome challenges and push the Panthers to another long series.
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About the Author
Tony is a pro sports journalist who dedicates most of his free time to watching the latest matches and games on TV. Tony enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and basketball when he's not participating in sports-related activities or seeing his friends. In addition to being a sports expert, Tony has extensive knowledge of finances and accounting. He leverages this expertise to provide insightful betting analysis for all sports, identifying value based on overlooked factors.
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