The Edmonton Oilers will host the Florida Panthers in Game Four of a Stanley Cup Final that has seen a notable shift in momentum.
Following a harsh 6-1 defeat in Game Three, the Oilers are eager to bounce back and avoid falling behind 3-1 in the series.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are rolling with back-to-back victories and currently lead the series 2-1 as they prepare for another game on their home ice.
Despite their offensive prowess—boasting 74 goals throughout the playoffs and nine in this series—the Oilers find themselves behind in the series.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have led the charge with three goals and six assists, but support has come from other areas as well.
Corey Perry, Viktor Arvidsson, and Kasperi Kapanen have contributed with three goals and four assists. In comparison, defensemen Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm have combined for two goals and five assists, helping to bolster the offense from the blue line.
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The Oilers’ offense has made improvements, but their defense has faltered, conceding 14 goals over three games.
While Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm have been solid on the top pairing, the rest of the defensive unit has had a tough time, allowing the Panthers to take plenty of shots on goal.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner has also struggled, giving up 13 goals on 97 shots.
On the other hand, the Panthers have taken control of the series with 14 goals scored, including six in Game Three.
Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Carter Verhaeghe have combined for nine goals and four assists, with other players also contributing. Evan Rodrigues, Anton Lundell, and Eetu Luostarinen have pitched in with a goal and nine assists.
In comparison, defensemen Nate Schmidt and Seth Jones have contributed another goal and six assists from the back end.
While the offense has been the standout, the Panthers’ defense has performed remarkably, conceding just one goal in Game Three.
Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad have led the top two pairs, supported by depth from Seth Jones, Nate Schmidt, and Niko Mikkola. Additionally, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has excelled, stopping 116 of the 125 shots he’s faced.
The Panthers are riding a wave of momentum as they prepare to dominate this game at home, but the Oilers aim to deliver their strongest performance of the series.
The Oilers have the firepower, led by Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and their talented forward group, who will drive the puck into the offensive zone and generate high-quality shots through centering and cross-ice passes.
On the defensive end, Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, and their defensive lineup will work to stifle the Panthers’ offense by forcing turnovers and limiting shots on goal.
This strategy will give goaltender Stuart Skinner plenty of opportunities to make crucial saves. The Oilers are poised to claim victory in Game Four, leveling the series with a solid road performance.
I’d consider betting on the Oilers’ money line as underdogs in this one to even up the series at 2-2.
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Edmonton outshot Florida 33-31, won the faceoff battle 32-30, registered more hits at 34 to 26, and blocked more shots, 17 to 15.
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Statistically, the Oilers didn’t get completely outplayed despite the 6-1 scoreline; instead, they fell victim to critical mental mistakes that allowed Florida to capitalize on too many easy opportunities.
At this level, such errors are unacceptable, and they’re fully aware of that.
The Oilers’ key players failed to make an impact. Leon Draisaitl, who finished the regular season as the team’s leading scorer with 106 points (52 goals, 54 assists), was largely invisible.
Connor McDavid, the NHL’s assist leader with 74, had minimal influence in the offensive zone. Florida has effectively neutralized both stars, but it’s hard to believe that they can keep it up for long, especially with talents like these.
The Over has cashed in all three games of this series and holds a 9-1 record in the last 10 matchups between the two. Both teams have been generating numerous high-quality chances in 5-on-5 play recently.
In their previous eight games, Edmonton has scored 9 power-play goals while allowing 10, while Florida has netted 16 extra-man goals (10 scored and 6 allowed).
I recommend taking the Over 6.5 at +105 odds at BetUS in Game 4.
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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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