
Panthers-Oilers Stanley Cup Final Game 2 Player Props, Betting Picks
After struggling in last year's Stanley Cup Final vs. the Panthers, Leon Draisaitl was the hero for the Oilers in Game 1, with two goals, including the game-winner.
After struggling in last year's Stanley Cup Final vs. the Panthers, Leon Draisaitl was the hero for the Oilers in Game 1, with two goals, including the game-winner.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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If Game 1 was any indication, this year's Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers is going to live up to -- if not surpass -- the hype around the rematch of last year's seven-game series.
Wednesday night's series opener at Rogers Place was a roller coaster for both Oilers and Panthers fans, from Leon Draisaitl's early-first period goal to open the scoring to his game-winner near the end of the first overtime period.
After quickly falling behind 1-0, Florida scored twice in the first period and added a third goal early in the second to go up 3-1, but Edmonton rallied with goals in the second and third period to force OT.
Coming into this series, Florida -- which is playing in its third straight Stanley Cup Final -- was 31-0 since 2023 when holding a lead at the end of the first or second period.
After a strong finish by Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (who did not give up a goal over the final 57:29 of Game 1) and Edmonton, which outshot Florida 46-32, can Edmonton make it 2-0 at home tonight?
Stanley Cup Final Game 2 Betting Odds
The odds below include the money line and the puck line. The puck line is like a spread bet, but the standard puck line is typically set at -1.5/+1.5, with the prices weighted to reflect who's favored.
DK FD bet365 FLA ML -108 -105 -105 EDM ML -112 -114 -115 FLA puck line +1.5 (-258) +1.5 (-265) +1.5 (-260) EDM puck line -1.5 (+210) -1.5 (+210) -1.5 (+210) Total 6.5 (o+105; u-125) 6.5 (o+104; u-128) 6.5 (o+105; u-125)
Stanley Cup Final Series Winner Odds (as of June 6)
It will be interesting to see how the series odds move based on every individual game result, as a seven-game series is still widely expected. But it should come as no surprise that Edmonton is now shorter than -200 to win the series, as Stanley Cup Final teams that have home-ice advantage are 52-10 (.839) all-time when they win Game 1.
And overall, teams that have won Game 1 are 65-20 in the Stanley Cup Final.
DraftKings: EDM -210; FLA +180
FanDuel: EDM -215; FLA +176
bet365: EDM -220; FLA +180
How to Watch Panthers vs. Oilers Game 2
Puck drop: 8 p.m. ET
Channel: TNT/truTV/Max
Best Panthers vs. Oilers Game 2 Player Props
Leon Draisaitl 4+ Shots on Goal (+125 at DraftKings) -- 1 unit
It's early, but the biggest difference between last year's series and this year's might be the fact that Draisaitl is 100 percent healthy for Edmonton.
He played in all seven games of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, but was battling injuries and finished the series with just 3 assists and no goals. In fact, Draisaitl did not record a point in all but two games in last year's Stanley Cup Final.
On Wednesday night, though, he was a difference-maker, with four shots on goal, including two that found the back of the net. Even a strong defensive team like Florida is going to struggle to contain Edmonton's outstanding second option after Connor McDavid if both are healthy, and they were both effective in Game 1.
Draisaitl is tempting in a few prop markets in this game, but after tallying 8 total shot attempts, including four on goal in Game 1, let's go with him to reach 4 SOG again tonight, especially if he logs substantial minutes alongside McDavid.
According to data analyst Meghan Chayka, in 19:21 with those two sharing the ice in Game 1, the Oilers piled up 34 shot attempts (including 16 on goal) while holding the Panthers to 12 shot attempts (just 2 on goal).
Panthers vs. Oilers Game 2 Pick, Best Bets
I don't disagree with the consensus expectation that this will be a seven-game series, but I like Edmonton to squeak out another close win tonight to go up 2-0.
I expect the Oilers' momentum from the way they finished that game to carry over to Game 2 tonight at Rogers Place. Doubting Florida -- which is 8-3 on the road in the playoffs -- is risky, but give me the Oilers in another close, high-scoring battle.
Panthers vs. Oilers Game 2 Best Bets:
Oilers ML (-112 at DraftKings) -- 0.5 units
Over 6.5 Goals (+105 at bet365) -- 0.5 units
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New York Times
35 minutes ago
- New York Times
Oilers won't dwell on missed chances after close Game 2: ‘What's it going to do?'
EDMONTON – Should-haves, could-haves, an almost or two and some what-ifs. The Edmonton Oilers were so close to winning their second consecutive game at home to start the Stanley Cup Final. That would have put them in control against the Florida Panthers as the series shifts to the other side of the continent. Advertisement Instead, Panthers winger Brad Marchand scored the decisive goal on a breakaway at 8:05 of double overtime of Game 2 to hand the Oilers a 5-4 loss on Friday night and even the matchup. The goal came after Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm missed the net on a one-timer from the top of the circle to facilitate the clear-cut chance. It also came after Leon Draisaitl backchecked vigorously to obstruct Marchand's stick, which, despite his best efforts, might have inadvertently contributed to the puck squeaking through goalie Stuart Skinner's legs. 'It's a tough one to swallow, but it's not supposed to be easy,' veteran Oilers winger Corey Perry said. 'They played hard tonight. They got their chances, and they capitalized on that one. That's the difference.' Shots favored Edmonton 46-42 in a game that lasted nearly four and a half periods. It was evenly played, with Natural Stat Trick tracking the high-danger chances at five-on-five at 16-15 in favor the Oilers. Kasperi Kapanen had the Oilers' best chance in extra time. The Oilers would have been in a much more jovial mood if his tip of a Viktor Arvidsson pass had beaten Sergei Bobrovsky in the second overtime, 55 seconds before Marchand's winner. 'The chances missed, you can think about it, dwell on it. But what's it going to do?' Perry said. 'It's not going to do anything for you now.' Perry's goal with 17.8 seconds left in the third period put the Oilers into next-goal-wins territory. He outmuscled the Panthers' Eetu Luostarinen to get to a rebound and beat Bobrovsky to get the latest game-tying goal in Stanley Cup Final history. He also gave the Oilers a chance at their eighth third-period comeback in the playoffs, which could have matched an NHL single-year record. An eighth comeback victory would have equaled the franchise playoff marks set in 1987 and 1991. Advertisement Instead, the Oilers lost their first overtime contest this spring after claiming the first four — on three goals from Draisaitl and another from Kapanen. It was also the first time they've ever lost an extra-time game in the Cup Final. They'd previously won all four of their attempts, with Jari Kurri (1987), Petr Klima (1990), Fernando Pisani (2006) and Draisaitl (Game 1 this year) netting the pivotal goals. 'There's going to be some disappointment,' Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. 'But we've had the mentality, no matter what happens — bad game, close game, overtime, heartbreaking, easy, whatever it is – we put it behind us and we get ready for the next one. 'You learn in the playoffs, things don't always go your way. Sometimes it works in your favor, sometimes it doesn't.' Friday night provided a contrast to Game 1, when the Oilers overcame a two-goal deficit, tied the score in the third and got a goal from Draisaitl on a power play in the last minute of the first overtime period. 'Each game could've went either way,' Knoblauch said. 'When you win the first one, you're disappointed you don't follow up and win the second one. But we're going there with a split and that's fine with us.' They're fine with it, but they're not thrilled with it. Aside from the missed chances, there were other factors the Oilers will want to address. The power play was 1-for-6 and allowed a Panthers goal when Marchand, the overtime hero, scored on another breakaway, which gave the Panthers a 4-3 lead in the second period. They'll also have to improve when it comes to dealing with pesky Panthers forwards around their net. In Game 1, Sam Bennett fell into Skinner after some contact from defenseman Brett Kulak, and a shot hit him and went in. The Oilers challenged for goaltender interference and were unsuccessful, and the Panthers scored on the subsequent power play. Advertisement In Game 2, Bennett was in Skinner's kitchen again, toppling into him midway through the first period after a nudge from Ekholm. This time, Bennett was penalized as Skinner remained down and needed some attention from Oilers head athletic therapist T.D. Forss. Then, in the second period, longtime nemesis Matthew Tkachuk was guided into Skinner as a point shot from former Oiler Dmitry Kulikov headed toward the net. The puck beat Skinner, and the Oilers opted not to challenge. 'We know they have players that want to drive the net,' Oilers defenseman John Klingberg said. 'It comes to us trying to box out earlier. But we're trying to drive the net, too. 'They're a high-shooting volume team and, if you are that, they're bringing people to the net as well.' There are things to clean up. Things that could have been better. Factors that might have led to a better result. 'It's very close out there. It's not a lot of room and ice out there,' Klingberg said. 'But we battled back, scoring that goal got some momentum, had some good chances in overtime as well as them. It's a bounce here and there.' The Oilers easily could have improved to 14-2 in their last 16 games and taken a stranglehold on this series. Instead, they'll have to take solace in a split. 'At this time of year, you've got to move on,' Draisaitl said. 'There's no time (spent) thinking about it too long. It stings right now, but we have to move on.'


New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Panthers embrace identity as NHL's ultimate road warriors: ‘Us against the world'
EDMONTON — A couple of years ago at an NHL GMs meeting, Ken Holland brought up a rather interesting idea. He wondered about giving the higher seed the option to open a playoff series on the road. In that scenario, the higher seed would play on the road in Games 1-2 and 6, and be at home in Games 3-4-5 and 7. Advertisement The Florida Panthers would probably support it if the league ever put it up for a vote. They love opening series on the road, and that would guarantee it for them either way, as a top seed or lower seed. How could they not embrace it? Their thrilling 5-4 win in double overtime Friday night at Rogers Place improved their playoff road record to 24-11 since the start of the 2023 playoffs. I mean, seriously. They have been the ultimate playoff road warriors, going 8-4 in '23, 7-4 in '24 and now 9-3 so far in the '25 playoffs, one shy of the all-time NHL record for road wins in a playoff year, handing the Oilers only their second home loss of the playoffs. It's what the Panthers do. 'Our game travels,'' Panthers blueliner Seth Jones said after playing a team-high 34:35 Friday night. 'We don't change our game based off where we're playing. Obviously it's great to play at home in front of our fans and feel that energy and feel that momentum at times. We play the same way in front of them (as on the road). 'We want to play a simple game, (a) north-south game. And just try to make their life difficult.'' They went 3-0 in Tampa in the opening round, 2-2 in Toronto in the second round, including twin 6-1 routs at Scotiabank Arena in Games 5 and 7, and of course went 3-0 in Carolina in the Eastern Conference final. So if you think for a moment that not having home-ice advantage in the Stanley Cup final against the Oilers concerned the defending champs one bit, get real. And if you think they were rattled after coughing up a 3-1 lead in Game 1 and losing, think again. These guys arrived at the rink on Friday fully convinced and confident they would tie the series 1-1. They did, but it sure wasn't without drama. Corey Perry scored with 17.8 seconds left in the third period, forcing overtime, and Rogers Place erupted. It was the kind of stunning moment that could deflate and derail many teams on this stage. Advertisement Not the Panthers. They re-grouped. They found a way in overtime. 'To get this point, you have to be resilient, and be able to bounce back, and both these teams do that,'' double-OT hero Marchand said postgame. And again, they found a way on the road. 'We've been great on the road all playoffs long,'' Conn Smythe Trophy candidate Sam Bennett said postgame. 'We're a confident group on the road. We enjoy being on the road, we enjoy being together, you get to spend more time together, dinners together, in the lounge together all night. And it really just brings our group together. 'And I think that's part of the reason we're having so much success on the road.'' Consider other road warrior facts: • The Panthers are the first team in NHL history to eclipse 50 goals in a single playoff season. • Bennett scored his 12th road goal of these playoffs Friday night, breaking the Stanley Cup playoff record for most road goals in one playoff year, previously held by Mark Scheifele in 2018. • The Panthers have a league-best 41 percent success rate on the road for their power play, 14 for 34 after Friday night with the man advantage, opening the scoring in Game 2 with a power-play goal from Bennett. They love the road. 'We have no choice,'' said Panthers star winger Matthew Tkachuk, pointing to the fact they've started every series on the road in these playoffs as the lower seed. 'We knew we were going to be on the road for the rest of it. We forced ourselves (into) it. … We feel comfortable on the road. It's a simple game. It's a hard game. It's an adversity-type of game, an adversity-type of atmosphere. We've said it a bunch. It's that us against the world mindset, but you really feel it especially being down in a series. Your back's not necessarily against the wall, but you treat it as a big-time must-win in a hostile environment, and I feel like that's when we're at our best. So, hopefully we can use that to our advantage.' Advertisement Of course, Holland's idea wouldn't have helped the Panthers this year, because as Tkachuk pointed out, they've opened all four playoff series on the road already as underdogs. But perhaps it's Florida's opponents during this three-year run that might have taken the option as per Holland's format tweak just to take away Florida's ability to steal early series momentum as they now have against Tampa Bay, Carolina and perhaps against Edmonton after getting the split and heading home for Games 3-4 of the Cup final. What is it about the makeup of the Panthers that makes them so comfortable on the road? I asked Panthers head coach Paul Maurice that question earlier in these playoffs. 'We are not a team that is a heavy match team,'' he said. 'It has a lot to do with it. We don't have to come out of our rhythm of the game when we go on the road. I don't pull lines off the ice. We have a general thing we want with our forward matchup and a more specific D match. That would be true of most teams, I think. 'There is not a big change for us in what we do,'' he continued. 'We haven't, in the past, relied on feeling good to win. We don't have to snap it around. We will talk about our execution twice a year. We don't need it to be pretty or beautiful on the road. Our style suits that kind of game.'' They're a physical, abrasive team that is scared of no one. That game travels well on the road. That's the on-ice part. But as Bennett said earlier, the off-ice part explains just as much, too. The Panthers are as tight-knit as any team in the league. That's actually one of the most difficult challenges of modern-day NHL teams: organically seeing players wanting to hang out as a group. These aren't the old days where team bonding means going on a bender on an off-night. But every story I hear is how the Panthers love hanging out together, and it happens more naturally on the road. That's no small thing. There's a real brotherhood on the defending champs. And I think it also helps explain their road prowess over the last three years. They'll probably need that again to win another Cup. This series is going long. No one's running the table here. If this goes the max, Florida will need to find their ultimate road game come June 20.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Panthers outlast Oilers in second overtime, tie Stanley Cup Final 1-1
The Florida Panthers will host the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday in Sunrise, Fla. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI June 6 (UPI) -- Brad Marchand carved ice on a breakaway and slid the puck through goalie Stuart Skinner's legs in double overtime Friday to beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-4, prevent a historic collapse and tie the Stanley Cup Final at 1-1. "To be honest, I blacked out," Marchand said on the TNT broadcast, when asked about his Game 2 winner. "I don't even know where it went. It was obviously a fortuitous bounce. We'll take it." Advertisement Marchand, who scored twice, won the game 8:09 into the second bonus period in Edmonton. The Panthers, who led 3-1 on Wednesday in Game 1 before losing in overtime, nearly collapsed again when they surrendered the latest regulation goal in the history of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday, but leaned on their depth for late scoring opportunities. "I think it helps a ton with the amount of experience this team has," Marchand said. "A lot of guys have been through big moments. They feel comfortable in them. ... We definitely have that confidence in our group that we can be resilient in situations." The Oilers outshot the Panthers 46-42, but totaled 23 giveaways. The Panthers recorded 17 giveaways, 12 takeaways and 60 hits, compared to 39 for their foes. Defenseman Seth Jones logged a goal and assist for the Panthers. Forward Anton Lundell and defenseman Nate Schmidt registered two assists apiece. Advertisement Sam Bennett lit the lamp for the first score of Game 2. With that goal, the Panthers forward set an NHL record for the most road goals (12) scored in a single postseason. The first score of the night was prompted by an errant initial attempt by Carter Verhaeghe. Fellow Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues collected the loose puck and hit it into the slot for Schmidt, who spotted Bennett in the right circle. Bennett finished the play by swiping a wrist shot by goaltender Skinner's glove side. The Oilers took advantage of a Panthers turnover in the neutral zone and leveled the score about 5:32 later. Forward Evander Kane finished that play with a wicked blast over net minder Sergei Bobrovsky's glove and into the right side of the net. Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard collected a rebound off his own shot and scored from long range on a follow-up attempt for a 2-1 lead 9:19 into the first period. Jones tied the score once again for the Panthers with a goal at the 11:37 mark. But star forward Connor McDavid helped the Oilers grab back the lead by carving up the Panthers defense during a power play and feeding Leon Draisaitl for a goal 60 seconds later. Advertisement The Panthers' offense clawed back in the second period, outshooting the Oilers 14-9 and scoring twice to regain momentum. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov tied the game when he sniped a long range shot off the right post and in behind Skinner 8:23 into the bridge frame. Marchand gave the Panthers their first lead when he scored a shorthanded goal off a breakaway. Lundell fed Marchand for that score, which came with 7:51 remaining in the period. The Panthers carried their narrow edge into the third period. Bobrovsky and the defense swarmed over the final minutes, but the Oilers pulled Skinner to put another skater on the ice. They finally broke through when forward Corey Perry found the net with less than 18 seconds remaining in regulation, sending the game into overtime. Defenseman Jake Walman had an initial attempt deflected at the start of the sequence. The puck then bounced into the slot, where it found Perry. He proceeded to smack a shot off defenders and into the left side of the net. Advertisement The Panthers dominated scoring opportunities in the first overtime, outshooting the Oilers 13-9, but hit the post on one chance and failed to convert on a breakaway later the first bonus period. They continued to threaten in the second overtime, throwing waves of skaters onto the ice and racing toward the Oilers net. Lundell corralled the puck deep in Panthers territory to spark the game-winner. He then needled a pass between the Oilers defense, finding Marchand in the neutral zone. Marchand fought off the pressure before calmly pushing the puck between Skinner's legs, quieting the home crowd and tying the series. "The boys were a little tired, but that's a huge win for us," Bennett said. "We fought back. That's tough to regroup, But our team did a great job of refocusing." Advertisement The Panthers will host the Oilers in Game 3 of the best-of-seven game series at 8 p.m. EDT Monday in Sunrise, Fla. Game 4 will be Thursday in Sunrise. The series will head back to Edmonton on June 14 for Game 5. All Stanley Cup Final games will air at 8 p.m. EDT on TNT and Max.