The 2024 Stanley Cup Closing begins Saturday because the Florida Panthers host the five-time champion Edmonton Oilers in Sport 1 at Amerant Financial institution Area in Dawn, Fla. The Panthers are making their third look within the Stanley Cup Closing and second straight after dropping in 5 video games to the Vegas Golden Knights final yr. Edmonton has reached the Stanley Cup Closing for the eighth time in franchise historical past however first since 2006, when it was defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes in seven video games. Each groups trailed 2-1 within the convention finals earlier than posting six-game victories, with Florida beating the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers within the East and the Oilers knocking off the top-seeded Dallas Stars within the West. The Panthers gained each 2023-24 regular-season conferences between the groups.
Opening faceoff is about for 8 p.m. ET. Florida is a -137 favourite (danger $137 to win $100) within the newest Panthers vs. Oilers odds, whereas the over/beneath for complete targets scored is 5.5. Earlier than making any Oilers vs. Panthers picks or Stanley Cup Closing predictions, it’s essential to try the NHL predictions from the SportsLine Projection Mannequin.
SportsLine’s mannequin simulates each NHL sport 10,000 occasions, bearing in mind elements like present type, particular person matchups, accidents and short- and long-term developments when making NHL picks. It entered the 2024 NHL playoffs on a 7-4 run on top-rated puck-line picks.
Now, the mannequin has set its sights on Panthers vs. Oilers and simply locked in its NHL picks and Stanley Cup Closing predictions. You may go to SportsLine now to see the picks. Listed here are the most recent NHL odds and developments for Oilers vs. Panthers:
- Panthers vs. Oilers cash line: Florida -137, Edmonton +116
- Panthers vs. Oilers over/beneath: 5.5 targets
- Panthers vs. Oilers puck line: Florida -1.5 (+186)
- FLA: The Panthers are 11-3 of their previous 14 video games at residence
- EDM: The Oilers are 12-2 of their final 14 video games on the highway in opposition to Florida
- Panthers vs. Oilers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why it is best to again the Panthers
Florida clamped down defensively after its 5-4 additional time loss to New York in Sport 3 of the Japanese Convention Closing, permitting a complete of 5 targets during the last three outings. That sport in opposition to the Rangers was uncharacteristic of the Panthers, as they yielded two targets or fewer in every of their earlier seven playoff contests. General this postseason, they’ve held opponents beneath three targets in 13 of their 17 video games.
Left wing Matthew Tkachuk was Florida’s main scorer in its run to the Stanley Cup Closing final postseason with 24 factors in 20 video games, and the 26-year-old tops the crew within the 2024 NHL playoffs with 19 factors. Tkachuk is tied for fourth within the NHL with a franchise playoff document of 14 assists, another than his complete from final postseason. Carter Verhaeghe is the Panthers’ high purpose scorer with 9, whereas fellow heart Sam Reinhart – who netted a career-high 57 tallies within the common season – has scored eight occasions. See who to again at SportsLine.
Why it is best to again the Oilers
Edmonton has tightened up in its personal finish much more than Florida has, giving up solely 4 targets over its final three contests after dropping 5-3 to Dallas in Sport 3 of the Western Convention Closing. The Oilers have been great on particular groups this postseason, rating first on the ability play (37.3%) and on the penalty kill (93.9%). The membership has efficiently killed 28 consecutive penalties, together with all 14 within the convention remaining.
The Oilers have the highest 4 gamers in factors this postseason, with famous person heart Connor McDavid main the way in which with 31. The 27-year-old captain has notched 26 assists and desires 5 to tie the document for many in a single postseason set in 1988 by the legendary Wayne Gretzky. Zach Hyman leads the league with 14 playoff targets after setting a career-high with a team-best 54 in the course of the common season, whereas heart Leon Draisaitl is second in each factors (28) and tallies (10). See who to again at SportsLine.
Tips on how to make Panthers vs. Oilers picks
SportsLine’s mannequin is leaning Over on the overall, projecting 5.6 mixed targets. It additionally says one facet of the cash line has all the worth. You may solely get the choose at SportsLine.
So who wins Panthers vs. Oilers in Sport 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Closing, and which facet of the cash line has all the worth? Go to SportsLine now to see which facet of the Oilers vs. Panthers cash line to leap on Saturday, all from the superior mannequin that has simulated this matchup 10,000 occasions.
