The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are back in action for a second consecutive Stanley Cup Final.
The latest: Florida needed seven games to oust Edmonton and win the 2024 Stanley Cup. The situation is a little different this time around, however, as the Oilers hold home-ice advantage with new characters in the mix for either side.
Check out our Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final betting preview and odds for the series.
Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final preview
Last year’s Stanley Cup Final was an absolute classic, setting the stage for an epic rematch.
The Panthers jumped out to a quick 3-0 series lead against the Oilers, outscoring their opponents 11-4 through the first three games.
But the Oilers stormed back. They won the following three contests, 18-5, forcing a winner-takes-all Game 7.
Game 7 was a tightly-fought contest, but Florida edged Edmonton, 2-1, to win its first-ever Stanley Cup.
The Panthers have a chance to win back-to-back titles, while the Oilers can be the first Canadian team to win it all since 1993.
Stanley Cup Final preview: Series markets
Edmonton enters this series as a slight favourite (-121), even at less than full health.
Zach Hyman was injured in the Western Conference final, and his season is likely over. No single player can replace his impact, but the Oilers have a committee of players who can step up.
Corey Perry has potted a pair of power-play goals in Hyman’s spot on the power play. Jeff Skinner, who played Game 5 vs. the Dallas Stars because of Hyman’s injury, scored in the contest.
The Panthers (-106) had some injuries during their series against the Carolina Hurricanes, but mostly everybody appears to be ready to go.
Here’s how the teams stack up in several key categories during the playoffs:
| Goals per game | GAA | PP% | PK% | |
| Florida | 3.88 (3rd) | 2.29 (1st) | 23.2 (6th) | 87.9 (1st) |
| Edmonton | 4.06 (1st) | 2.81 (4th) | 30.0 (3rd) | 66.0 (14th) |
It’s tough to find much separation between these two squads with one glaring exception: the penalty kill.
Edmonton has struggled mightily on the PK for most of the postseason, which could be a problem against a capable Panthers power play.
The good news, though? Florida has the worst net penalties per 60 rate of any team in the playoffs (-0.64).
Here are some additional markets if picking an outright winner didn’t catch your eye:
| Market | Betting odds |
| Panthers win 4-0 | +1,100 |
| Panthers win 4-1 | +700 |
| Panthers win 4-2 | +400 |
| Panthers win 4-3 | +500 |
| Oilers win 4-0 | +900 |
| Oilers win 4-1 | +500 |
| Oilers win 4-2 | +500 |
| Oilers win 4-3 | +400 |
Click linked odds to add selection to your betslip. NHL odds as of 2:02 p.m. ET on 05/01/2025.
Florida’s case to repeat
Florida’s path to winning this series relies on its ability to out-will its opponent.
The Panthers play a physical brand of hockey that no team has been able to match. They’re first in the playoffs in hits per 60 (47.05), and are capable of wearing down any team they square up against.
There are several key additions helping lead Florida back to the final. Most notably, Brad Marchand has been a clutch postseason performer for the squad.
The ex-Boston Bruins captain is tied for fourth on the squad in playoff points (14) and tied for second with a plus-11 rating.
Seth Jones has been masterful on the back end, providing steady defence while delivering offence in key moments, such as Game 7 of the team’s second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Florida also has its stalwarts. Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad, among others, lead the way for a team that battles hard every single night. The Cats have 10 players with 10-plus points. The Oilers, meanwhile, only have seven skaters with double-digit points.
That depth, combined with stellar goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky, will lead the Panthers to victory.
Edmonton’s case
Nothing motivates a team quite like revenge.
This is the first back-to-back Stanley Cup Final rematch since Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins battled the Detroit Red Wings in 2008-09. The Penguins lost the first time around before beating the Red Wings the following year.
The second most recent occasion? Wayne Gretzky’s Oilers lost to the New York Islanders in 1983 before winning in 1984.
Like Gretzky and Crosby, Connor McDavid has a chance to win his first title after losing to the same team one season earlier.
And Edmonton’s case starts with No. 97. McDavid leads all skaters in postseason points (26), and he’s getting stronger as the playoffs roll along.
His three goals against the Stars were his most against any team this playoffs, and the Western Conference final marked the first series where he recorded a point in each game.
Leon Draisaitl continues to be the perfect co-star, as his 25 postseason points are second among all skaters.
It definitely feels like the Oilers’ chances hang in the balance of Stuart Skinner. The Edmonton netminder has been excellent since returning from his benching. He’s a dominant 6-2 with a .931 save percentage and three shutouts.
If he can provide competent goaltending, the Oilers likely win it all. If he falters, it could be another year of suffering the same fate.
Stanley Cup Final prediction
My pick: Oilers to win (-121)
Like the fellow generational talents before him, I’m picking McDavid and the Oilers to bring it home.
The Edmonton superstar isn’t posting the gaudy totals he did en route to his 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy win, but he’s been the leading force for his team offensively.
The loss of Hyman can’t be understated, but the coinciding return of Mattias Ekholm is undoubtedly a significant upgrade to the team’s defence.
Skinner’s recent surge is another confidence booster. The goaltender responded well to his benching and has put a horrid start to the postseason firmly in the rearview.
There are lessons to be learned from losing; look no further than Edmonton’s opponent. The Panthers lost the 2023 Stanley Cup Final to the Vegas Golden Knights before winning it in 2024.
The Oilers came as close as possible to winning the Stanley Cup a season ago. With added motivation from last year’s shortcomings – and home-ice advantage – I fully expect them to beat the Panthers this time around.
Panthers vs. Oilers predictions made at 2:02 p.m. on 06/01/2025.
Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.