The Edmonton Oilers look to stave off elimination for a third straight time when they host the Florida Panthers on Friday for Game 6 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. Edmonton lost the first three games of the series but have posted back-to-back victories to become just the fourth team in NHL history to force a Game 6 when down 0-3 in the Stanely Cup Final. The Oilers are 4-0 when facing elimination this postseason and won Game 6 at home in each of their previous two series. The Panthers haven’t lost three straight contests since enduring a four-game slide from March 14-23.
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, 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 +100
- 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
Superstar Connor McDavid has taken over the Stanley Cup Final, recording back-to-back four-point performances after notching a total of three points over the first three games of the series. The 27-year-old center registered a goal and two assists in the second period of Game 5 to become the first in history with two three-point sessions in one Stanley Cup Final. He joined Bernie Geoffrion and Stan Mikita as the only players with multiple three-point periods in the Stanley Cup Final over their careers. McDavid has 11 points in this series, the most in a Stanley Cup Final since Daniel Briere amassed 12 for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and two shy of the record set in 1988 by legendary former Oiler Wayne Gretzky.
McDavid is the top scorer this postseason with 42 points and needs five to the mark established by Gretzky in 1985. Edmonton’s captain already has set the record for most assists in one playoff year with 34. With the Oilers facing elimination this postseason, McDavid has produced three goals and eight assists in four contests. Defenseman Evan Bouchard also has set a playoff record as he notched three assists in Game 5 to increase his total to 26 and pass former Oiler Paul Coffey (25 in 1985) for most in one postseason. 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 heats up, hockey fans are eagerly anticipating Game 6 to see which team will come out on top. The Panthers currently lead the series 3-2, but the Oilers have shown they are not going down without a fight.
According to NHL models and experts, the odds for Game 6 are leaning slightly in favor of the Panthers. The Panthers have been dominant throughout the playoffs, with their strong offense led by star players like Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. Their defense, anchored by Aaron Ekblad and Mackenzie Weegar, has also been solid, making it difficult for opposing teams to score.
On the other hand, the Oilers have been a formidable opponent, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge. Their offense has been explosive, and goaltender Mikko Koskinen has been solid between the pipes. The Oilers will need to bring their A-game in Game 6 if they want to force a Game 7 and keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive.
In terms of the betting line, the Panthers are currently favored to win Game 6 by a narrow margin. The over/under for total goals scored is set at 5.5, indicating that this could be a low-scoring affair. Both teams have strong goaltending and defense, so goals may be hard to come by in this crucial game.
As for a predicted score, the NHL model suggests that the Panthers will come out on top with a final score of 3-2. It is expected to be a close game, with both teams battling it out until the final buzzer. The Panthers will look to capitalize on their home ice advantage and close out the series in front of their fans, while the Oilers will be fighting tooth and nail to extend the series and force a Game 7.
Overall, Game 6 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Panthers and Oilers is shaping up to be an exciting and intense matchup. Hockey fans can expect a hard-fought battle between two talented teams vying for hockey’s ultimate prize. Stay tuned to see which team will emerge victorious and hoist the Stanley Cup at the end of the night.
