Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers – Stanley Cup Finals Game 1: Will Oilers Take Down Ice Cats at Home?

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals begins tonight as the Edmonton Oilers host the Florida Panthers in a rematch of last year's final.

There's plenty of action to be had during this series, including player point totals and other series prop bets, so be sure to check out the odds at the best online sportsbooks.

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Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers: Stanley Cup Finals Game 1

These two teams played in the Stanley Cup Finals last season, going all seven games. The Panthers took down the Oilers in the first three, winning two at home and one up north. It looked like they were ready to sweep before Edmonton won three straight of their own, including Game 5 in Sunrise.

Alas, it was not enough as the Panthers won Game 7 back at home and hoisted the Stanley Cup. They are now in their third straight finals, looking to be the first team to repeat since the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. Edmonton is in their second straight finals, and hope to enact some revenge on the Panthers for beating them last season.

Matchup Information – Panthers vs. Oilers

• Venue & Location: Rogers Place (Edmonton, Alberta)
• Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025
• Puck Drop: 8:00 p.m. Eastern
• Broadcast: TNT/truTV

Panthers vs. Oilers Betting Odds

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Puck Line

• Panthers +1.5 (-228)
• Oilers -1.5 (+191)

Moneyline

• Panthers +103
• Oilers -116

Total

• Over 6 (-120)
• Under 6 (+104)

Both matchups were high scoring in the regular season between these squads, but I'm not sure that will translate to the postseason. Each team does a great job of peppering the net, but the Panthers defense is rock solid and aren't afraid to sacrifice their body to block a shot. Sergei Bobrovsky is on top of his game, and the same goes for Stuart Skinner who has seen plenty of improvement since the beginning of the postseason.

In this opening game, despite both teams knowing the other, I am going to bet on them being a little more cautious.

Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers Game 1 Best Bets

Panthers vs. Oilers Prediction: Oilers Win, Under 6

Best Bets: Under 6.5 (-130) Bovada

I'll admit I shopped around and found an extra hook for some juice to avoid a push. I do not see these teams combining for six goals, but regardless, we will be safe if they do.

As I said above, both goaltenders have been rock solid. Bobrovsky is stopping over 91% of shots faced and allowing just 2.11 goals per game. Despite Skinner having a shaky start, he's turned things around. He's stopping 90.4% of shots and allowing 2.53 goals per contest this postseason. But since taking back the starting role in Game 3 against Vegas, he's stopping 93.1% of shots and conceding just 1.75 goals per game, including three separate shutouts.

Yes, the Oilers are at home and will try to be aggressive and fast, but the Ice Cats should focus on containing that offense, keeping things low scoring and letting Bobrovsky work his magic. The Panthers have tons of scoring options, but they also have plenty of players willing to make the sacrifices needed to win this game. I trust Florida to respect the Oilers' attack and try to force them into a more conservative tempo tonight.

However, give me the Oilers in a low scoring game, call it 3-2 (+800).

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