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*These NHL Playoff picks are done the morning of game day, adjust picks should spreads and lineups change.
EDMONTON @ FLORIDA
GAME 1
MATCHUP STATS
- Underdogs won 4 of the last 5 Oilers vs. Panthers games.
- 8 of the Panthers’ last 9 games went Unders.
- Panthers didn’t cover the handicap in 8 of their last 9 games.
- ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ hit in 7 of the Panthers’ last 8 home games.
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| FLO | 52 | 24 | 26-13-2 | 26-11-4 |
| EDM | 49 | 27 | 28-9-4 | 21-18-2 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | GF | GA | DIFF | GLS AV |
| FLO | 3.3 | 2.4 | +0.8 | 5.7 |
| EDM | 3.6 | 2.9 | +0.7 | 6.5 |
SEASON MATCHUPS
DALLAS 2-1
| 17.12.23 | EDM | FLO | 1:5 |
| 21.11.23 | FLO | EDM | 5:3 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | TOTAL | RESULT |
| FLO | OVER | FLO |
| -1.5 | 5.5 | 3:0 |
THE RUB
Last Meeting (Dec 16, 2023): Florida 5, Edmonton 1
Leon Draisaitl’s 10th NHL season and Connor McDavid’s ninth have finally brought the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final. They will face the Florida Panthers in the best-of-seven championship series starting Saturday in Sunrise, Fla.
Despite their superstar status, it took time for McDavid and Draisaitl to reach this point. “We weren’t ready to understand what it really takes to win when you’re 19, 20, 21 years old,” Draisaitl explained.
The Oilers, who last won the Stanley Cup in 1990, defeated the Dallas Stars in six games to reach the final. Their journey included a challenging regular season start, ranking 31st when coach Kris Knoblauch was hired. Goaltender Stuart Skinner emphasized the team’s resilience and bond.
The Panthers, seeking their first title, reached the final for the second consecutive season after defeating the New York Rangers in six games. Coach Paul Maurice highlighted the importance of learning from last year’s experience. Defenseman Gustav Forsling noted their determination to seize this opportunity.
A key aspect will be containing Edmonton’s offense, led by McDavid and Draisaitl, who have scored 31 and 28 points, respectively, during the playoffs. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov stressed their consistent approach to facing dangerous opponents.
In special teams, Edmonton boasts the best power play (37.3%) and penalty kill (93.9%) of the postseason. Florida’s power play is at 23.3% with a penalty kill at 88.2%, ranking second.
The Panthers won both regular-season meetings against the Oilers by a combined score of 10-4.
PLAYER TRENDS
- Evan Bouchard has 1+ assists in 5 of the Oilers’ last 6 Game 1s.
- Sam Reinhart has 1+ assists in 5 of the last 6 games vs. Oilers.
- Leon Draisaitl has scored in 4 of the Oilers’ last 5 Game 1s.
- Sam Bennett has scored in each of the Panthers’ last 3 games.
- Zach Hyman has scored in each of the Oilers’ last 3 Game 1s.
- Corey Perry has scored in 3 of his last 4 playoff games vs. Panthers.
PICK – OVER 5.5 TOTAL GOALS
