Okay, they might not literally be fighting for their lives, but the Edmonton Oilers are one loss away from conceding the Stanley Cup to the Florida Panthers and they have been one loss away since game four.
Unbelievably, the Oilers have managed to win back-to-back games to set up a home game to tie the series at 3-3 (currently losing 3-2). One more win for Florida and they become champions. Let’s take a closer look at our analysis before heading to our top-rated sportsbooks.
NHL Pick: Florida Panthers ML (+110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers
Friday, June 21, 2024 – 08:00 PM ET at Rogers Place
Edmonton Won’t Lie Down
We will be honest and hold our hands up here. We suspected the Oilers would have some fight in them and win at least one game when they were down 3-0 in the series. However, having won two in a row and playing the 3rd on home ice, it really does give them a genuine opportunity to lift the Stanley Cup in Florida. We were of the persuasion the Panthers would be too strong on home ice for the Oilers and that the Stanley Cup would be theirs by now.
Edmonton came out gung ho in both of their previous wins. Winning 8-1 on home ice, they went on to take a 3-0 lead in the last game, eventually coming away as 4-2 winners. There is no doubt that this Oilers team is strong enough to mount a full comeback and lift the Stanley Cup. However, we just can’t see this Panthers team losing four in a row.
Florida Won’t Be Bridesmaids Again
Having finished runners-up to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in last year’s edition of the final, there is no way in hell they will want to be the bridesmaids again, especially having taken a 3-0 series lead. They would be the laughing stock of the NHL if they went on to finish 2nd two seasons in a row, plus blowing a 3-0 series lead. The one problem that stands in front of them is arguably the best-attacking team in the league.
The Panthers will be coming into this road game with their backs up against the wall. As we stated before, once they can keep the game low-scoring, they are in with a chance to win any game. Last time out, when it was 3-2, they looked dangerous and it was an empty netter who gave the Oilers their 4th goal.
For us, we just can’t look beyond the fact that the Panthers are plus money here despite being on the road.
The Pick
You might think we hate the Oilers given that we are chasing a Panthers’ win for the 2nd game in a row. Believe us, we don’t. We would love nothing better from a sporting point of view to see Edmonton mount the comeback and win the Stanley Cup. It’s just that, based on the NHL odds, our betting brain can’t ignore the fact that the Panthers are good value here and the fact that we know they are not an easy team to beat.
We must remember the Oilers had gone 0-5 against the Panthers prior to their back-to-back wins. On the other hand, we can’t see the Panthers losing five in a row against the Oilers. At +110 on the moneyline, our money is with the Panthers in this road game.
NHL Pick: Florida Panthers ML (+110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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