Category: NHL

Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final best bets Game 5: Target Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on Sunday night

Panthers vs. Oilers best bets

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are even at two games apiece with the Stanley Cup Final heading back north of the border.

The pregame narrative: The Oilers looked out of Game 4 and potentially the series after going down 3-0 in the first period. Edmonton bounced back and stunned Florida, 5-4, on another Leon Draisaitl overtime winner to regain home-ice advantage.

Check out my Panthers vs. Oilers best bets for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, featuring Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Panthers vs. Oilers best bets

Best Bet: Nugent-Hopkins to score 1+ points (-143)

I keep coming back to this pick when the price is right.

  • Nugent-Hopkins is tied for seventh in the postseason with 20 points in as many games.
  • He went pointless in three games to start the SCF but came alive in Game 4, scoring a goal and adding an assist.

Nugent-Hopkins should continue to have great offensive opportunities while playing on the first line alongside Connor McDavid.

Plus, the Oilers have scored three or more goals in all nine home playoff games this year.

The 32-year-old averages just under 20 minutes of ice time and close to four minutes per game on the power play. He’s arguably the third most important Oiler, and he’s always stepped up his game in the postseason.

Key stat: Nugent-Hopkins has 81 points in 94 career playoff games.

Stanley Cup Final Game 5 picks

Over 6.5 goals (+100): As mentioned before, the Oilers’ offence knows how to score in Edmonton.

  • They are averaging 4.9 goals per game on home ice in the playoffs.
  • The first two SCF games in Edmonton had an average of 8.0 total goals.

As good as the Oilers have been at home, the Panthers have been good everywhere.

They scored three-plus goals in each of Games 1-4 (4.5 goals per game). Florida also ranks second in goals per 60 in the playoffs (3.26), per Money Puck.

Everything points to this being another slugfest as the series shifts back to Edmonton.

Panthers vs. Oilers best bets made at 4:00 p.m. ET 06/13/2025.

Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final best bets Game 5: Target Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on Sunday night

Panthers vs. Oilers best bets

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are even at two games apiece with the Stanley Cup Final heading back north of the border.

The pregame narrative: The Oilers looked out of Game 4 and potentially the series after going down 3-0 in the first period. Edmonton bounced back and stunned Florida, 5-4, on another Leon Draisaitl overtime winner to regain home-ice advantage.

Check out my Panthers vs. Oilers best bets for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, featuring Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Panthers vs. Oilers best bets

Best Bet: Nugent-Hopkins to score 1+ points (-129)

I keep coming back to this pick when the price is right.

  • Nugent-Hopkins is tied for seventh in the postseason with 20 points in as many games.
  • He went pointless in three games to start the SCF but came alive in Game 4, scoring a goal and adding an assist.

Nugent-Hopkins should continue to have great offensive opportunities while playing on the first line alongside Connor McDavid.

Plus, the Oilers have scored three or more goals in all nine home playoff games this year.

The 32-year-old averages just under 20 minutes of ice time and close to four minutes per game on the power play. He’s arguably the third most important Oiler, and he’s always stepped up his game in the postseason.

Key stat: Nugent-Hopkins has 81 points in 94 career playoff games.

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Stanley Cup Final Game 5 picks

Over 6.5 goals (-103): As mentioned before, the Oilers’ offence knows how to score in Edmonton.

  • They are averaging 4.9 goals per game on home ice in the playoffs.
  • The first two SCF games in Edmonton had an average of 8.0 total goals.

As good as the Oilers have been at home, the Panthers have been good everywhere.

They scored three-plus goals in each of Games 1-4 (4.5 goals per game). Florida also ranks second in goals per 60 in the playoffs (3.26), per Money Puck.

Everything points to this being another slugfest as the series shifts back to Edmonton.

Panthers vs. Oilers best bets made at 12:14 p.m. ET 06/13/2025.

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final SGP predictions Game 4: Back Draisaitl and Marchand in +300 wager

Oilers vs. Panthers predictions

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers meet for a pivotal Game 4 in the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday.

The pregame narrative: Florida is favoured to take a commanding 3-1 series lead after blowing out Edmonton at home on Monday. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were both held pointless in Game 3, and have to step up to level this series and regain home ice.

Check out my Oilers vs. Panthers SGP predictions, featuring Draisaitl and Brad Marchand.

Oilers vs. Panthers predictions

Parlay: Oilers +1.5 | Draisaitl 1+ point | Marchand 1+ point (+300)

Oilers +1.5 (-186): It will be interesting to see how the Oilers perform after having two days to chew on an embarrassing 6-1 loss.

But I expect them to come out flying. One game doesn’t define a team, and Edmonton’s broader body of work suggests there will be serious pushback.

  • The Oilers are 13-4 since losing the first two games of the playoffs. They’ve covered a +1.5 puck line in 15 of those games.
  • Edmonton is 7-3 on the road in the playoffs, covering +1.5 eight times.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice even said he expects Game 4 to be more like the first two in this series.

Is there some gamesmanship in there? Sure. But these teams are evenly matched, and Edmonton still has the best two players on the ice.

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NHL SGP legs

Draisaitl 1+ points (-375): Draisaitl was held pointless for just the second time this postseason, and I can’t picture that happening again.

The German winger had multiple points in four straight games before that, and has a point in every other road game this playoff.

Draisaitl ranks fifth all-time in playoff points per game (1.473). The only players ahead of him are Barry Pederson, McDavid, Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.

If you want to amplify this parlay’s payout, I recommend backing Draisaitl to score (+120). That would bring the total to +540.

Marchand 1+ points (-120): Marchand would still be among the greatest deadline acquisitions of all time even if he went pointless from here on out.

  • The longtime Boston Bruin has eight goals and 18 points in 20 playoff games for the Panthers.
  • He’s scored four goals in the Cup final, including the overtime winner in Game 2.
  • Marchand has found the stat sheet in five of his last six games.

His line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen is leading the Panthers in chances (30), xG (1.57), and high-danger chances (five) this series.

I expect the veteran to stay hot and get some deserved down-ballot Conn Smythe votes as well.

Oilers vs. Panthers predictions made at 9:30 a.m. ET 06/12/2025.

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final best bets Game 4: Bet on McDavid and the Oilers

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

The Edmonton Oilers look to even the Stanley Cup Final in Game 4 on Thursday.

The pregame narrative: The Florida Panthers dominated last time out, winning 6-1. They can get within one win of their second straight championship with another victory at home. The Oilers look to spoil the show and head back to Edmonton with a regained home-ice advantage.

Check out my Oilers vs. Panthers best bets for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, featuring Connor McDavid.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

Best Bet: McDavid to score 2+ points (-118)

It was one of those very rare occurrences in Game 3 where McDavid was held off the scoresheet completely.

That only happened two other times in the postseason, so it seems logical to expect a huge performance off the back of a rare off-night.

  • Before that, McDavid had cashed this wager in five straight games.
  • Overall, he has 2+ points in 11 of 19 games this postseason.

McDavid leads the playoffs in points (31) and ranks second with 8.8 expected goals (per Money Puck).

This feels like a must-win for the Oilers, and their captain should lead the charge offensively.

Key stat: McDavid scored multiple points in both games following a pointless outing in these playoffs.

Stanley Cup Final Game 4 picks

Oilers moneyline (+130): This is a gutsy pick after Edmonton’s gut-wrenching loss in Game 3.

The Oilers looked uninspired, conceding in less than a minute and then getting outplayed from whistle to whistle.

But one game doesn’t make a series, and I can’t ignore Edmonton’s results in the postseason.

  • Since losing the first two games to the Los Angeles Kings, the Oilers have won six of eight away games.
  • After losing 6-3 against the Stars in Dallas in Game 1 of the Western Conference final, Edmonton bounced back to win 3-0 in Game 2.

I’ve learned my lesson against counting the Oilers out. They were down 3-0 in last year’s Cup Final, so this is still a far better position to be in.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets made at 3:19 p.m. ET 06/11/2025.

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final best bets Game 4: Bet on McDavid and the Oilers

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

The Edmonton Oilers look to even the Stanley Cup Final in Game 4 on Thursday.

The pregame narrative: The Florida Panthers dominated last time out, winning 6-1. They can get within one win of their second straight championship with another victory at home. The Oilers look to spoil the show and head back to Edmonton with a regained home-ice advantage.

Check out my Oilers vs. Panthers best bets for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, featuring Connor McDavid.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

Best Bet: McDavid to score 2+ points (-112)

It was one of those very rare occurrences in Game 3 where McDavid was held off the scoresheet completely.

That only happened two other times in the postseason, so it seems logical to expect a huge performance off the back of a rare off-night.

  • Before that, McDavid had cashed this wager in five straight games.
  • Overall, he has 2+ points in 11 of 19 games this postseason.

McDavid leads the playoffs in points (31) and ranks second with 8.8 expected goals (per Money Puck).

This feels like a must-win for the Oilers, and their captain should lead the charge offensively.

Key stat: McDavid scored multiple points in both games following a pointless outing in these playoffs.

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Stanley Cup Final Game 4 picks

Oilers moneyline (+130): This is a gutsy pick after Edmonton’s gut-wrenching loss in Game 3.

The Oilers looked uninspired, conceding in less than a minute and then getting outplayed from whistle to whistle.

But one game doesn’t make a series, and I can’t ignore Edmonton’s results in the postseason.

  • Since losing the first two games to the Los Angeles Kings, the Oilers have won six of eight away games.
  • After losing 6-3 against the Stars in Dallas in Game 1 of the Western Conference final, Edmonton bounced back to win 3-0 in Game 2.

I’ve learned my lesson against counting the Oilers out. They were down 3-0 in last year’s Cup Final, so this is still a far better position to be in.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets made at 11:14 a.m. ET 06/11/2025.

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final SGP predictions Game 3: Bet on Edmonton to keep things close at +300

Oilers vs. Panthers predictions

The Stanley Cup Final heads to Sunrise tied after the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers traded a pair of overtime wins to start the series.

The pregame narrative: Brad Marchand’s double-OT winner on Saturday puts Florida in the driver’s seat to retain the Stanley Cup. The Panthers are favoured to win this game and the series, with home-ice advantage in what is now a best-of-five series.

Check out my Oilers vs. Panthers SGP predictions, featuring Sam Bennett and Evan Bouchard.

Oilers vs. Panthers predictions

Parlay: Oilers +1.5 | Bennett 1+ points | Bouchard 1+ points (+300)

Oilers +1.5 (-210): If the first two games are any indication of how the rest of this series will go, hockey fans are in for a treat.

Edmonton and Florida have gone blow-for-blow for 167:34, with each team securing a nail-biting win. The Panthers are deserving favourites back on home ice, but I can’t see a blowout on Monday.

  • Since losing the first two games of the postseason, the Oilers are 13-3, covering a +1.5 puck line in 15 of those games.
  • Florida is a mediocre 4-3 at home, going 3-4 vs. a -1.5 line.

Sergei Bobrovsky provides a distinct goaltending advantage for Paul Maurice’s squad, but Kris Knoblauch’s group has the best two offensive players on the ice — by a mile.

The Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl-led Oilers have generated 58.57% of high-danger chances thus far, per Natural Stat Trick. I expect them to put forth a monster effort.

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NHL SGP legs

Bennett 1+ points (-165): Bennett has been dynamite for the Panthers, and me, this postseason.

  • He’s leading Florida in goals (13) and points (19) in the playoffs.
  • Bennett also paces the Panthers in xG (8.15), shots (59), and scoring chances (67).
  • He has a point in nine of his last 12 games (13 total points) and has three goals in the first two games of this series.

The second-line centre helped me cash a +440 SGP in Game 1 and a +300 SGP in Game 2 by recording a point — I’ll happily go back to the well on Monday.

Bouchard 1+ points (-165): I’m keen on backing Bouchard as long as the price is right.

The 25-year-old defenceman has been a playoff menace for the Oilers, with 79 points in 71 games. That 1.113 PPG pace is the second-best mark ever by a defenceman, behind Bobby Orr.

Bouchard had a goal and two assists in Saturday’s overtime loss after logging an assist in Game 1.

Knoblauch has given him the green light to let it fly, too. The rearguard leads the Oilers in shots (15) and shot attempts (28) this series.

Playoff goals are often messy, and firing pucks on net is a great way to get a greasy assist or screen goal.

Oilers vs. Panthers predictions made at 10:08 a.m. ET 06/09/2025.

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final best bets Game 3: Pick Edmonton to win, Bouchard to score

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers head south in an even Stanley Cup Final.

The pregame narrative: Hockey fans have been treated to an absolute classic series thus far. Two overtime games have revealed just how evenly matched these squads are. Florida fired back in Game 2, but who will break ahead in Game 3?

Check out my Oilers vs. Panthers best bets for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, featuring Evan Bouchard and Brad Marchand.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

Best Bet: Oilers moneyline (+115)

There’s not much that separates Edmonton and Florida through two games.

The goals are even (8-8) with overtime victories going to either side, but the advanced numbers do an even better job of highlighting the stalemate.

CategoryEdmontonFlorida
Expected Goals7.037.02
High-danger chances3127
Shot attempts percentage48.6%51.4%

There’s really not much of an edge either team can point to in this series.

The reason why I’m picking Edmonton, however, has to do with the performance of each team’s star players.

The Oilers’ top talents have been excellent through the first two games. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have combined for nine points. The Panthers’ best players, Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, haven’t found much room to operate.

Barkov and Tkachuk have combined for one assist, as the former is still searching for his point of the series.

Could the benefit of playing at home and having last change help free up Florida’s best players? Maybe, but I’d prefer backing players like McDavid and Draisaitl, who are proven to be matchup-proof.

Key stat: Edmonton has won six of its last seven road games, including two series-clinching victories.

Stanley Cup Final Game 3 pick

Bouchard to score a goal (+333): I don’t typically bet on defencemen to score, but Bouchard’s performance in the Stanley Cup Final has been otherworldly.

The rearguard is peppering Sergei Bobrovsky as the Panthers dedicate more attention to the net front than the points. Bouchard leads the series with 15 shots through two games.

The star defenceman was rewarded for his efforts with his first goal of the series in Game 2.

Bouchard has been heavily involved offensively in the Cup Final, as his four points are tied for second among all skaters. He’s a great pick to score a goal at this price.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets made at 12:35 p.m. ET 06/08/2025.

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final best bets Game 3: Pick Edmonton to win, Bouchard to score

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers head south in an even Stanley Cup Final.

The pregame narrative: Hockey fans have been treated to an absolute classic series thus far. Two overtime games have revealed just how evenly matched these squads are. Florida fired back in Game 2, but who will break ahead in Game 3?

Check out my Oilers vs. Panthers best bets for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, featuring Evan Bouchard and Brad Marchand.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

Best Bet: Oilers moneyline (+120)

There’s not much that separates Edmonton and Florida through two games.

The goals are even (8-8) with overtime victories going to either side, but the advanced numbers do an even better job of highlighting the stalemate.

CategoryEdmontonFlorida
Expected Goals7.037.02
High-danger chances3127
Shot attempts percentage48.6%51.4%

There’s really not much of an edge either team can point to in this series.

The reason why I’m picking Edmonton, however, has to do with the performance of each team’s star players.

The Oilers’ top talents have been excellent through the first two games. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have combined for nine points. The Panthers’ best players, Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, haven’t found much room to operate.

Barkov and Tkachuk have combined for one assist, as the former is still searching for his point of the series.

Could the benefit of playing at home and having last change help free up Florida’s best players? Maybe, but I’d prefer backing players like McDavid and Draisaitl, who are proven to be matchup-proof.

Key stat: Edmonton has won six of its last seven road games, including two series-clinching victories.

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Stanley Cup Final Game 3 picks

Marchand to score 1+ points (-112): This price seems too good to ignore.

Marchand has been Florida’s best forward. The ex-Boston Bruins captain has three goals in this series, including the Game 2 overtime winner.

He’s making things happen every time he steps on the ice. Marchand is the only player in the series with a goal at all three strengths.

None of this production is happening by chance, either, as the pesky winger leads all Panthers players in shots on goal (10).

Marchand is tied for second on the Panthers in playoff points (17), and he’s a great pick to find the score sheet at this price.

Bouchard to score a goal (+400): I don’t typically bet on defencemen to score, but Bouchard’s performance in the Stanley Cup Final has been otherworldly.

The rearguard is peppering Sergei Bobrovsky as the Panthers dedicate more attention to the net front than the points. Bouchard leads the series with 15 shots through two games.

The star defenceman was rewarded for his efforts with his first goal of the series in Game 2.

Bouchard has been heavily involved offensively in the Cup Final, as his four points are tied for second among all skaters. He’s a great pick to score a goal at this price.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets made at 12:35 p.m. ET 06/08/2025.

Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final Game 2 SGP predictions: Back Bouchard and Bennett at +300

Panthers vs. Oilers predictions

The Stanley Cup Final continues on Friday, and the Edmonton Oilers are favoured to take a 2-0 lead.

The pregame narrative: Edmonton looks to capitalize on home ice, where it has gone a stellar 7-1 this postseason, one more time before heading south. But the Florida Panthers have been dominant on the road during their three straight Cup Final appearances and have been in this spot before.

Check out my Panthers vs. Oilers SGP predictions, featuring Sam Bennett and Evan Bouchard.

Panthers vs. Oilers predictions

Parlay: Panthers +1.5 | Bennett 1+ points | Bouchard 1+ points (+300)

Panthers +1.5 (-235): Florida was hanging on for dear life in overtime before Leon Draisaitl stuck a fork in ’em. But I expect some serious pushback from this seasoned group and wouldn’t be surprised if they won Game 2 handily.

The Panthers are 8-3 on the road this postseason, covering a +1.5 puck line in all of those games.

They’re averaging 4.63 goals per game in those contests and have only lost back-to-back games once in the playoffs.

Edmonton is a force to be reckoned with at home, but Kris Knoblauch’s group was still outplayed for stretches of the opener and needed a late goal to force overtime.

If the Oilers take a 2-0 lead, it won’t be stress-free.

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NHL SGP legs

Bennett 1+ points (-139): I cashed a +440 SGP in Game 1 involving Bennett logging a point and will happily run it back while playing this as a standalone. The man is on fire.

  • Bennett is leading the Panthers in goals (12) and points (18) in the playoffs after scoring a pair of goals in Game 1.
  • The centre also paces the team in xG (7.88), shots (56), and scoring chances (110), per Natural Stat Trick.

Bennett has cashed this wager in eight of his last 11 games and skates alongside Matthew Tkachuk, who found his footing against the Carolina Hurricanes in the ECF.

He’s not the flashiest player, but Bennett has mastered the art of getting greasy goals in the playoffs. I’ll keep riding until proven otherwise.

Bouchard 1+ points (-175): Bouchard is only 25 years old, but he’s flying up the all-time playoff points list for defencemen.

He sits 32nd with 76 points in 70 games and is second in playoff points per game (1.086) by a d-man. The one person ahead of him? Bobby Orr.

Bouchard logged an assist in the series opener and has now cashed this bet in four of his last six games.

He led the Oilers in shots (seven) and shot attempts (14), which makes him a great candidate to score on a screen or log an assist via tip or rebound.

Panthers vs. Oilers predictions made at 11:02 a.m. ET 06/06/2025.

Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final best bets Game 2: Take the over, back Corey Perry

Panthers vs. Oilers best bets

The Stanley Cup Final continues in Edmonton on Friday following a spectacular series opener.

The pregame narrative: The Florida Panthers had won 31 straight playoff games after leading through the first or second period until Leon Draisaitl scored his overtime winner on Wednesday. Now, the Edmonton Oilers are favoured to win Game 2 on home ice, where they are 7-1 this postseason.

Check out my Panthers vs. Oilers best bets for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, featuring Corey Perry.

Panthers vs. Oilers best bets

Best Bet: Over 5.5 goals — regular time only (-154)

I’m comfortable taking the over on this number anytime the Oilers play at home — and that’s simply because they’re going to score.

Edmonton has netted at least three goals in all eight of its home playoff games. In those contests, it is averaging 4.63 goals per game, and the over is 6-2 against this line.

Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are one of the best duos we’ve ever seen in the playoffs, and they led the charge on Wednesday with two points apiece.

I don’t think anyone or anybody is capable of stopping them right now.

That said, I expect some pushback from the Panthers, who have been on an offensive rampage of their own. Florida is averaging 4.0 goals per game since the beginning of the Eastern Conference Final, and the over is 4-2-0 against this line.

Stuart Skinner was good when it mattered last night, but I still don’t trust him to keep scoring down.

This should be a track meet.

Key stat: The over is 6-0-0 against this line in Edmonton dating back to last year’s Stanley Cup Final.

Stanley Cup Final Game 2 picks

Perry 1+ points (-106): Perry is the most seasoned veteran in the league, and he’s riding shotgun with one of the best players of all time. That sounds like a good combination to me.

The Perry-McDavid-Draisaitl line played 9:36 together in Game 1, generating a 70.83% Corsi rate and four scoring chances.

Perry also logged 6:46 with McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and receives top power-play minutes.

Anytime Perry is on the ice, McDavid is right beside him. In overtime, the 40-year-old recorded a secondary assist on Draisaitl’s game-winning goal.

Perry has points in three consecutive games since being moved up the lineup after Zach Hyman’s injury.

Panthers vs. Oilers best bets made at 8:20 a.m. ET 06/06/2025.