Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 prediction, odds, pick

The battle for Lord Stanley’s Cup begins as the Edmonton Oilers face off against the Florida Panthers in Game 1 on Saturday at Amerant Bank Arena. We’re here to share our Stanley Cup Finals odds series, make an Oilers-Panthers Game 1 prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.

The Oilers have finally made it back to the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2006. Ultimately, they went through good teams to get here. Edmonton started things off by dispatching the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 in the first round. Then, they edged the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in the second round, including a big Game 7 win at the Rogers Arena. The Oilers then overcame the Dallas Stars 4-2 in the Western Conference Finals to seal their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers are back in the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive season. They took down the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 in the first round. The Cats then outlasted the Boston Bruins 4-2 in the second round. Finally, they defeated the New York Rangers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals to earn their second straight trip and a chance at redemption after losing the final last season.

The Panthers swept the season series, winning 5-3 at home and then 5-1 in Edmonton. Yet, the Stanley Cup Final is a brand new situation, and the Oilers are on a mission.

The Oilers are 5-1 in Stanley Cup appearances, as they lost their last battle with the Carolina Hurricane in 2006. Meanwhile, the Panthers are 0-2 in Stanley Cup appearances, losing to the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 and the Golden Knights last season.

Here are the Stanley Cup Finals Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

Stanley Cup Finals Odds: Oilers-Panthers Game 1 Odds

Edmonton Oilers: +1.5 (-235)

Moneyline: +114

Florida Panthers: -1.5 (+190)

Moneyline: -137

Over: 5.5 (-120)

Under: 5.5 (-102)

How to Watch Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Finals Game 1

Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

TV: ABC, ESPN+

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Oilers Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Oilers’ offense was explosive during the regular season, ranking fourth in goals and on the powerplay and first in shots. That has continued in the postseason, as some of their best players have come out to play.

Connor McDavid currently has five goals and 26 assists in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including two markers on the powerplay. Overall, the only thing he has struggled in is faceoffs, where he has won 120 draws and lost 143. Leon Draisaitl has 10 goals and 18 assists, including six powerplay conversions. Also, he has won 172 faceoffs and lost 175.

Zach Hyman leads the Oilers with 14 goals and four assists, including five tallies on the powerplay. Likewise, defenseman Evan Bouchard has six goals and 21 assists, including three game-winning tallies. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has contributed with six goals and 14 assists, including four powerplay markers.

The Oilers were above average on defense, ranking 10th in goals allowed in the regular season. They were also average on the penalty kill, ranking 15th. That inconsistency has continued during the postseason, as they have looked amazing and mediocre at times. Goalie Stuart Skinner is 11-5 with a 2.50 goals-against average and a save percentage of .897.

The Oilers will cover the spread if they can gain some extra chances on the powerplay and score early. Then, they need the defense to prevent Florida from firing shots at the net.

Why The Panthers Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Panthers were solid on offense during the season, ranking 11th in goals. Likewise, their work on the powerplay was good, ranking eighth in the league. They were also second in shots. Ultimately, this continued during the postseason as their amazing depth came into play.

Matthew Tkachuk has five goals and 14 assists in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including two game-winning markers. Meanwhile, Aleksander Barkov has six goals and 11 assists, including one marker on the powerplay. Barkov has been excellent in the faceoff circle. So far, he has won 164 draws and lost 143.

Carter Verhaeghe has added nine goals and eight assists, including four conversions on the powerplay. Additionally, Sam Reinhart has tallied eight goals and four assists, including four powerplay tallies.

The Panthers were the best defensive team in the NHL, ranking first in goals against during the regular season. Likewise, they were sixth on the penalty kill. Florida also ranked third in shots against. Significantly, that solid play has continued throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Panthers have been incredibly tough on opposing offenses, overcoming amazing offenses in Tampa Bay and New York. Sergei Bobrovsky has been elite, going 12-5 with a 2.20 goals-against average and a save percentage of .908.

The Panthers will cover the spread if their offense continues to spring to life and fire constant shots at the net. Then, they need their defense to be tough as they usually have been throughout the postseason.

Final Oilers-Panthers Prediction & Pick

The Oilers are the flashier team, yet the Panthers are the grittier team. However, the Panthers have also been average at home, going 0-4 against the spread in their past four home games. Compare that to the past four, where they are 1-3. The Panthers are winning numerous one-goal games. Consequently, opposing teams have done enough to stay in the game. The Oilers are 2-2 against the spread over their past four road games. Therefore, look for them to stay in this and cover the spread.

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Final Oilers-Panthers Prediction & Pick: Edmonton Oilers: +1.5 (-235)

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