Dec 16, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman (18) looks for a pass beside Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
- The Edmonton Oilers battle the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final
- We’ve made our Oilers vs Panthers prediction for Saturday’s NHL game
- Read below for Oilers vs Panthers Game 1 prediction, odds, and expert picks
The 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers is set to begin on Saturday night in Sunrise. Game 1 puck drop is set for 8:00 PM ET at Amtrak Bank Arena, with ABC carrying the broadcast.
Oddsmakers are favoring the home team in this game, pricing the Cats as favorites over the Oilers. We’ve made your Oilers vs Panthers prediction for Saturday night to help you place an educated wager on the game.
Let’s delve into the NHL betting odds for the Stanley Cup Final and offer you our Game 1 picks.
Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers Game 1 Odds
| Team | Puck Line | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDM Oilers | +1.5 (-235) | +120 | Over 5.5 (-115) |
| FLA Panthers | -1.5 (+180) | -140 | Under 5.5 (-105) |
The Florida Panthers are -140 favorites in the Stanley Cup Final Game 1 odds, while the over/under is set at 5.5, with -140 juice to the “under.”
Odds as of June 7, 2024, at ESPN Sportsbook. Claim the ESPN Bet promo code to bet on Oilers vs Panthers Stanley Cup Final.
Panthers Favored Over Oilers in Game 1 Odds
The Florida Panthers are favored to win the Stanley Cup, so it’s no surprise they’re also favored to take Game 1. Oddsmakers are pricing Florida as the -140 favorite over the Oilers on Saturday, which is a 58.3% implied win probability.
The Edmonton Oilers are betting underdogs for the second series in a row after being projected to lose against Dallas in the Western Conference Final. Edmonton is a +120 moneyline underdog for the Cup Final opener, which is a 45.5% implied win probability.
“It’s going to be another amazing challenge for us to go through.”
Skinner speaks as the #Oilers prepare for the Stanley Cup Final vs. the Panthers. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/ccYALv6veQ
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 7, 2024
Oddsmakers favor the Cats on Saturday due to the team’s home-ice advantage and stellar defense. Florida has won seven of their nine home games this postseason, forcing overtime in one of the two losses. The Panthers have allowed just 2.29 goals per game compared to 2.61 for the Oilers.
Offensively, Edmonton has the edge, averaging 3.50 goals per game and converting on a league-best 37.3% of their power plays. However, Florida’s penalty kill is superb at 88.2% (2nd) and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has outplayed Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner.
In the Conn Smythe odds and predictions, Connor McDavid is the betting choice at +200. However, Bobrovsky and Selke winner Aleksander Barkov aren’t far behind, as these two will be tasked with shutting down the Oilers’ elite top line.
Oilers vs Panthers Game 1 Prediction
We’re backing the Cats in our Oilers vs Panthers series odds and prediction, so we’re going to stick with them in the series opener. Paul Maurice’s club is on a stellar run. The Panthers are 21-5 as a favorite between -100 to -150, showcasing they are typically deserving of their short odds.
“When we started this year, we didn’t say, ‘We’re not talking about last year.’ We’re gonna take everything we possibly can, what we learned from last year.”
– @FlaPanthers head coach Paul Maurice on the team’s internal improvements setting up consecutive #StanleyCup Finals pic.twitter.com/0AwXIy5bbT
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 7, 2024
We forecast a somewhat similar game playing out on Saturday as the one we saw in Game 1 between Florida and New York. The Panthers’ defense stole the show, holding the Rangers to just 24 shots in a 3-0 shutout victory.
Skinner has a save percentage above .900 at home this season, but that number drops to .894 on the road. The Panthers have a sour taste in their mouth from last year’s Final, and we think they set the tone for the series with a low-scoring victory in Game 1.
EDM-FLA Game 1 Picks:
- Panthers ML (-135 at BetMGM Best Odds)
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are set to face off in Game 1 of their series on Saturday, June 8th. Both teams have had successful seasons and are looking to make a statement in the playoffs.
The Oilers, led by superstar Connor McDavid, finished the regular season with a record of 47-26-9, good for second place in the Pacific Division. They have a potent offense, ranking fourth in the league in goals scored per game. McDavid and linemate Leon Draisaitl have been a dynamic duo all season, combining for over 200 points.
On the other side, the Panthers finished the regular season with a record of 42-30-10, securing the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. They have a balanced attack, with several players contributing offensively. Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov have been key players for the Panthers, leading the team in points.
In terms of predictions, this series is expected to be a close one. Both teams have strong offenses and capable goaltenders. The Oilers have the edge in terms of star power with McDavid and Draisaitl, but the Panthers have shown they can compete with any team in the league.
As for odds, the Oilers are currently listed as slight favorites to win Game 1. However, the Panthers should not be counted out, as they have proven they can compete with top teams all season long.
In terms of picks, it’s tough to predict a winner in this matchup. Both teams have the talent and depth to come out on top. It may come down to which team can execute their game plan better and capitalize on their opportunities.
Overall, Game 1 between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers is shaping up to be an exciting matchup. Fans can expect a high-scoring game with plenty of action on both ends of the ice. It’s anyone’s game, and it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top in this series opener.