In this article we will formulate an Oilers vs Panthers prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, June 14th at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Edmonton Oilers Betting Preview
The Edmonton Oilers tied the series at two with a 5-4 win in overtime in game four on Thursday night. Edmonton played an awful first period, but they scored four straight goals and led 4-3, before allowing the tying goal with 20 seconds left in regulation. Edmonton was able to survive in overtime long enough for Draisaitl to score on a weird bounce for the win. The Oilers recorded 35 shots on goal, won 50% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Edmonton got goals from Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, Podkolzin, and Walman, while Frederic led the way with seven hits. Stuart Skinner stopped 14 out of 17 shots, while Pickard stopped 22 out of 23 shots in relief.
Prior to this series, the Oilers defeated the Kings in six games, the Golden Knights in five games, and the Stars in five games. Edmonton absolutely rolled through the Kings, Golden Knights, and Stars earlier in the playoffs, but they have had plenty of trouble with Florida in this series. Edmonton has scored 3.16 goals per game and they have allowed 2.87 goals against per game, while also going 23.7% on the power play and 78.2% on the penalty kill this season. Connor McDavid has led Edmonton with six goals, 26 assists, and 76 shots on goal, while Leon Draisaitl has added 11 goals, 21 assists, and 54 shots on goal. Calvin Pickard is 7-0 with a 2.69 goals against average and an .896 save percentage in the postseason.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers are tied at two in this series, but they really let game four slip away, which gives Edmonton a ton of momentum. In their game four loss, Florida led 3-0 after the first period, but they needed a late goal in regulation to force overtime, before picking up the loss. The Panthers recorded 40 shots on goal, won 50% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Florida got goals from Lundell, Reinhart, and Tkachuk (2), while Kulikov led the way with five hits in the game. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 out of 35 shots in the game, which was an .857 save percentage.
Prior to this series, the Panthers defeated the Lightning in five games, the Maple Leafs in seven games, and the Hurricanes in five games. Florida has won 10 of their last 14 games since falling behind 2-0 in the second round against Toronto. Florida has scored 3.00 goals per game and they have allowed 2.72 goals against per game, while also going 23.5% on the power play and 80.7% on the penalty kill this season. Sam Bennett has led Florida with 14 goals, seven assists, and 63 shots on goal, while Matthew Tkachuk has added seven goals, 14 assists, and 38 shots on goal. Sergei Bobrovsky is 14-7 with a 2.27 goals against average and a .912 save percentage in the playoffs.
Why the Oilers will beat the Panthers
- The Oilers have won each of their last five Game 5s of a playoff series.
- The Panthers have lost four of their last five road games after coming off overtime.
- The Oilers have won the third period in each of their last seven games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last six games between the Panthers and Oilers have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Panthers’ last six night games at Rogers Place have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the last seven games between the Panthers and Oilers.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last four games as underdogs.
Edmonton Oilers Player Prop Facts
- Jake Walman has recorded an assist in each of his last seven home appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Jake Walman has recorded a point in each of his last seven home appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Leon Draisaitl has scored at least one goal in five of the Oilers’ last six games against the Panthers.
- Leon Draisaitl ranks 1st in the league for Goals (52) this season.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Sam Bennett has scored at least one goal in each of the Panthers’ last six games as underdogs.
- Carter Verhaeghe has recorded at least one assist in each of the Panthers’ last six playoff games against the Oilers.
- Carter Verhaeghe has recorded at least one point in each of the Panthers’ last eight games against the Oilers.
- Aleksander Barkov ranks T1st in the league for shootout goals (4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Edmonton Oilers rank 1st in the league for shots per game this season (32.0).
- The Edmonton Oilers rank 1st in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (1.24).
- The Florida Panthers rank 7th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.72).
- The Florida Panthers rank 1st in the league in penalty minutes this season (843).
Oilers vs Panthers Prediction
Edmonton looked like they were going to fall behind 3-1 in this series early in game four, but they rallied for the win and will have a ton of momentum returning home. The Oilers will most likely start Pickard in net, who has not lost a game in this postseason. Florida dominated game three in a blowout win, but they are searching for answers after their second period collapse in game four. I expect Edmonton to get off to a fast start in this game and I like them to win the first period and the game.