Panthers at Oilers Stanley Cup Final Game 2 picks, odds: Can Florida even the series?
For the second time in two years, the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers meet in the Stanley Cup Final. After Florida won last year, the Oilers are out for revenge and took the first game 4-3 in overtime. After Edmonton took Game 1, the series odds moved from -125 in the Oilers' favor to -250, but those odds belie how closely contested the first bout was. Our experts lean toward a Florida win in Game 2.
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Oilers lead series 1-0
Series odds: Oilers -250, Panthers +200
Game 1 between the Oilers and Panthers was an absolute banger. Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring early, which already gave this series a different feel from 2024 after he was held off the board in seven games against the Panthers last year. But Florida responded — first with a goal from Sam Bennett that was reviewed (and upheld) for goalie interference, then with a power-play goal from Brad Marchand on the corresponding delay of game.
That sequence could have changed the tone of Game 1. Instead, despite Florida taking control of the second period, the Oilers clawed their way back. Viktor Arvidsson pulled Edmonton within one, then Mattias Ekholm tied the game in the third period.
That forced overtime, where there were chances on both ends of the ice. Both Stuart Skinner and Sergei Bobrovsky put up quality starts for their teams. But with 31 seconds left on the clock in the first OT period, Connor McDavid set up a Draisaitl power-play goal to win the game.
It was a strong start to what should be a tightly contested series.
So, how will the Panthers respond? The series may be in Edmonton for another game, but playing on the road generally hasn't hurt Florida. The Panthers are 8-3 on the road this postseason. While the power play is already clicking, the key to Game 2 will be getting more even-strength scoring from the middle-six, since Aleksander Barkov's line's primary focus is slowing down McDavid and Draisaitl. The Oilers, on the other hand, will likely start the game with those two driving their own lines again and adjust later as needed.
Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Photo of Connor McDavid and Brad Marchand: Codie McLachlan / Getty Images)
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