The Edmonton Oilers hope to accomplish a rare feat when they host the Florida Panthers for Game 6 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final on Friday. Edmonton is looking to join the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and 1945 Detroit Red Wings as the only teams to force a Game 7 in the Final after losing the first three contests. That Toronto club completed the comeback to become the first of four NHL teams ever to overcome an 0-3 series deficit in postseason history. Edmonton trailed the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 in their second-round matchup before winning the final two contests. Florida has yet to suffer three losses in a series this postseason.
Opening faceoff at Rogers Place is set for 8 p.m. ET. Edmonton is a -120 favorite (risk $120 to win $100) in the latest Oilers vs. Panthers odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total goals scored is 5.5. Before making any Panthers vs. Oilers picks, you need to check out the NHL predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
SportsLine’s model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times, taking into account factors like current form, individual matchups, injuries and short- and long-term trends when making NHL picks. It entered the 2024 Stanley Cup Final on a 7-4 run on top-rated puck-line picks.
Now, the model has set its sights on Oilers vs. Panthers and just locked in its NHL picks and Stanley Cup Final predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the latest NHL odds and trends for Panthers vs. Oilers:
- Oilers vs. Panthers money line: Edmonton -120, Florida +101
- Oilers vs. Panthers over/under: 5.5 goals
- Oilers vs. Panthers puck line: Edmonton -1.5 (+212)
- EDM: The Oilers have outscored Florida 15-4 over the last seven periods
- FLA: The Panthers have allowed 13 goals in the last two games after yielding 12 over six contests against the New York Rangers
- Oilers vs. Panthers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why you should back the Oilers
Limited to a total of just one goal in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton has produced 16 over the last three contests. The club has netted five tallies in the third period over that span after scoring one in the session over its previous nine contests. The Oilers’ special teams have been dangerous since the team was pushed to the brink of elimination, recording three power-play goals and a pair of short-handers in the last two games.
Edmonton owns a 93.9% success rate on the penalty kill, the highest mark over a minimum of 15 games in a postseason since 1978, and has denied its opponents on 43 of their last 44 power-play opportunities while scoring three short-handed goals during that stretch. The Oilers possess five of the eight players with 20 or more points this postseason, with superstar Connor McDavid leading the NHL with 42 — five shy of the all-time record set in 1985 by the legendary Wayne Gretzky. Evan Bouchard is second with 32, the most by a defenseman in one playoff year, and Leon Draisaitl has collected 30 while Zach Hyman — who has scored a league-high 15 goals — and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have notched 21 apiece. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why you should back the Panthers
Florida has won each of the previous four playoff series in which it took a 3-0 lead. Evan Rodrigues has been the Panthers’ top offensive player in this series with four goals and two assists. The 30-year-old center, who netted only three tallies in 17 games over the first three rounds of the playoffs, has landed on the scoresheet in five of his last six contests dating back to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the New York Rangers.
Matthew Tkachuk leads the Panthers with 22 points, two shy of the franchise record he set last postseason. The 26-year-old left wing is coming off a two-point effort after having amassed the same amount over his previous seven contests. Captain Aleksander Barkov is right behind Tkachuk with 21 points and has posted eight two-point performances, the most by a Panther in one postseason. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Oilers vs. Panthers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 7.1 combined goals. It also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Oilers vs. Panthers in Game 6 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, and which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Panthers vs. Oilers money line to jump on Friday, all from the advanced model that has simulated this matchup 10,000 times.
As the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers approaches, hockey fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating Game 6, which could potentially decide the fate of the series. With both teams evenly matched and the stakes higher than ever, predictions for this crucial game are a hot topic of discussion among analysts and fans.
According to the latest odds and lines, the Panthers are currently favored to win Game 6, with bookmakers giving them a slight edge over the Oilers. This is not surprising, as the Panthers have been in top form throughout the playoffs, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive stability. Led by star players like Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad, the Panthers have proven themselves to be a formidable opponent for any team.
On the other hand, the Oilers are not to be underestimated, as they have also had an impressive playoff run, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge. The Oilers’ high-powered offense has been a force to be reckoned with, and they have shown that they are capable of scoring goals in bunches when they are firing on all cylinders.
When analyzing the game using NHL models and statistical data, it becomes clear that both teams have their strengths and weaknesses. The Panthers have a slight advantage in terms of possession metrics and defensive efficiency, while the Oilers excel in offensive production and power play efficiency. Ultimately, the outcome of Game 6 may come down to which team is able to capitalize on their strengths and exploit their opponent’s weaknesses.
In conclusion, while the odds may favor the Panthers slightly, Game 6 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Panthers and Oilers is shaping up to be a closely contested battle. Both teams have what it takes to come out on top, and it will likely come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively on the ice. Hockey fans can expect an intense and thrilling matchup that could go down to the wire, making it a must-watch game for all fans of the sport.
