Panthers vs. Oilers Odds, Preview
| Panthers Odds | +100 |
| Oilers Odds | -120 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -110 / -110 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Panthers vs. Oilers odds for Game 6 on Friday, June 21 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
No one could have predicted. Not after the Florida Panthers jumped out to a convincing 3-0 series lead. Not even after the Edmonton Oilers humbled the Eastern Conference Champs 8-1 in Game 4. It wasn't until Connor McDavid buried the empty net goal in Game 5 that bettors could be sure there would be a Game 6.
Yet here we are.
The Oilers are on the brink of completing one of the most historic comebacks of all time. Needing a win on home ice on Friday to force a Game 7, Edmonton could become the first team since the 1941-42 Toronto Maple Leafs to erase a 3-0 series deficit and win the Stanley Cup.
Of course, that's assuming a lot. The Panthers have gotten under the skin of the Oilers at every turn, outplaying them in three of five contests so far.
That's a trend bettors have taken notice of, betting the visitors down to +100 underdogs after opening at +114. Still, there might be a more valuable entry point for bettors. (And for more Game 6 bets, you can check out our anytime goalscorer best bets.)
Florida Panthers
Florida's defense has been second to none this entire postseason. And if not for a few oversights on the powerplay that cost it shorthanded goals against, it might not even be in this position. We're expecting another resounding defensive effort from the Panthers on Friday night, as they look to quell a dangerous Oilers attack.
At 5-on-5, the Panthers have established a seemingly impenetrable shell. Through the first five games of the Stanley Cup Final, Florida has limited Connor McDavid and company to an average of 6.8 high-danger and 17.6 scoring chances. More impressively, the Oilers have been limited to eight or fewer in all but two of those outings.
That's on par with what we've seen from the Panthers throughout the playoffs, with the Atlantic Division winners holding opponents to an average of 8.1 and 18.0, respectively. Consequently, we're anticipating another structured defensive effort in Game 6.
More importantly, the Panthers' defensive efforts correlate with decreased Edmonton scoring. At 5-on-5, the Oilers were held off the scoresheet in the opening two games of the series. Moreover, other than their eight-goal outburst, they've been held to just four goals at 5-on-5 across the four other contests. With Sergei Bobrovsky due for a bounce-back effort, that trend should continue into Friday's pivotal battle.
Florida should lean into its defensive structure once again in Game 6, focusing its efforts on preventing chances and taking its offensive opportunities as they become available.
Edmonton Oilers
Unquestionably, the Oilers special teams have been the difference in this series. Edmonton has held the Panthers to just 1-for-16 on the powerplay for an impressive 93.8% kill rate. Combined with their two shorthanded goals to open Games 4 and 5, and a resurgent powerplay, there's been no stopping the Oilers. As impressive as those efforts have been, it's also an unsustainable way of winning games.
In their most recent effort, only one of the Oilers five goals came at 5-on-5. They recorded two powerplay markers, one short-handed goal, and McDavid's empty-netter at 6-on-5. As a result, they were outscored at 5-on-5 for the third time in five games. Edmonton will need a more robust effort at home, but as we've seen, that's easier said than done.
Even at Rogers Place, the Oilers have had a hard time generating offense. Edmonton totaled 18 high-danger and 48 scoring opportunities in two home games versus the Panthers, for an average of 9.0 and 24.0. That's substantially below their respective regular-season averages of 13.1 and 27.9.
The Oilers have the antidote for diminished 5-on-5 scoring — Stuart Skinner has emerged as the playoff stalwart they knew he could be, stopping 52 of the last 56 shots he's faced. The Calder Trophy runner-up has posted a 92.9% save percentage across those outings, bumping his playoff total to 89.8%. That leaves him short of his 90.5% regular season average, implying that another stout performance is on the horizon.
Even with home-ice advantage, we're not convinced the Oilers can sustain their current offensive pace. But if Skinner puts together another elite performance, they might not have to.
Panthers vs. Oilers
Betting Pick & Prediction
At this point in the series, it becomes more about not losing than winning. We've seen the Panthers play by those rules with their most recent efforts, preferring to limit chances rather than creating them. With Edmonton hoping to force a decisive Game 7, we wouldn't be surprised if they took a more conservative approach to Friday's tilt.
Game 6 has all the makings of a defensive slugfest. That's been the Panthers M.O. this postseason, and the Oilers can't afford any slip-ups against Florida's opportunistic offense.
On that basis, we're betting that we see overtime for the first time this Stanley Cup Final. Any entry point above +320 is ideal, but we're playing the +340 line available at FanDuel Sportsbook.
But don't be surprised if the Stanley Cup is handed out on Friday night.
Pick: 60-Minute Tie (+340 at FanDuel)
