Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Stanley Cup match.
It’s been a while since the Stanley Cup Final offered such a tightly contested and electrifying series. Both the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers have hit top gear at just the right time, combining for 16 goals across the first two fixtures. Each of those clashes went into overtime.
Florida Panthers
The series now heads to Sunrise, Florida, where the Florida Panthers will host their first game as favourites. However, backing them presents a considerable risk given the proven ability of the Edmonton Oilers to rally late in games. No lead has been secure for the Florida Panthers so far: the Edmonton Oilers have clawed their way back into both encounters. So far, the Panthers have failed to find a way to contain them. In the third periods, they have come under intense pressure. The Panthers have been outshot 7:23, conceded 10 high-danger chances while creating just one, and held only 19% of the xG share during that stretch. Given those statistics, it’s hardly surprising they have struggled to weather the storm.
Edmonton Oilers
The forward unit of the Edmonton Oilers has seen seven players register points across the first two games, with five of them already having at least two points to their names — a stark contrast to last year, when only Connor McDavid averaged more than a point per game. Speaking of McDavid, he has yet to truly ignite in this series. Despite firing 11 shots on target and generating 1.64 individual xG, he remains goalless — a breakthrough feels imminent. The Oilers have shown they’re comfortable on the road, while the Florida Panthers have dropped at least one home game in each playoff round this season. It’s also worth noting that, ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers were regarded as stronger title contenders. Historically, in 18 of the past 22 seasons, the pre-series favourite has gone on to lift the Cup — including 11 of the last 13.
Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers Prediction
It’s tough to imagine the Edmonton Oilers heading back home trailing 1:3 after losing both road games. They are more than capable of claiming at least one victory in Florida. With the current odds offering strong value for an away win, this is a chance worth taking. Additionally, consider a separate bet on the third period — the visitors may either mount a comeback or extend their advantage through counter-attacks or an empty-net finish.
