Oilers Slightly Favored Over Panthers In Stanley Cup Final Rematch

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Stanley Cup Final is so close to being a tossup, Florida would likely be preferred if the Panthers had home-ice benefit.


But that edge belongs to Edmonton, which largely discusses why the Oilers are slight favorites to win the series, which begins Wednesday.


"However you desire to look at this pie, you might make an argument that either team could be favored," Caesars Sportsbook head of hockey Karry Shreeve stated. "Home ice is definitely playing a part. You're simply playing the portions. The team that wins Game 1 of the Stanley Cup, they go on to win roughly 75% of the time."


BetMGM Sportsbook lists the Oilers as -130 favorites to win Game 1 and take that essential 1-0 series lead. The sportsbook makes Edmonton as the -125 preferred to become the first Canadian team given that Montreal in 1993 to raise the Stanley Cup.


Defending champion Florida, which beat Edmonton in seven games in 2015, is the +105 underdog.


BetMGM trading supervisor stated about 55% of the cash has actually can be found in on the Oilers.


Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) speaks to media during a news conference, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, ahead of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup last series against the Florida Panthers. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)


"I would anticipate that to most likely continue," Cipollini stated. "I think we'll probably take a bit more Oilers cash simply because of Connor McDavid, however this is a rematch. Florida won last year, so I think we will end up getting an even forecast."


Hockey handicapper Alex B. Smith, who co-hosts The Ice Guys podcast, doesn't purchase the Oilers should be favored.


"You do not see rematches too often in the Cup Final," Smith said. "When you do, you constantly ask yourself the apparent concern: Are these two teams much better or worse than they were in 2015? I 'd state Florida is a much better variation of themselves from last year. Edmonton (is) slightly even worse than in 2015, especially when you take a look at no Zach Hyman readily available for this series. Connor Brown is returning for Game 1, however how healthy is he going to be?


"I offer the edges to Florida based off of they've been playing much better, sound defense. I think they're a tighter team than they were last year."


Edmonton's captain ended up being the 2nd skater and sixth player to be granted the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs MVP last season while using the losing team.


McDavid leads this postseason in scoring with 26 points, one ahead of teammate Leon Draisaitl, and is the +100 favorite at BetMGM to win the Conn Smythe, providing him a possibility to make more history even if the Panthers win.


"Are they truly going to offer McDavid back-to-back Conn Smythes in losing efforts?" Cipollini asked. "He is the preferred due to the fact that of the points scored and there's currently a precedent that they could offer it to him here, however that's something to view as the video games start. If there is a Florida gamer that isn't truly standing out ... there is a real life where it could be him again in a losing effort."


Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner has actually long been deemed a weakness on the lineup, a track record that appeared to be sealed when he was benched two games into the playoffs.


But Skinner is a significant factor Edmonton is still playing. He has actually enabled one or zero objectives in 5 of his previous seven starts, three of them shutouts.


Another fantastic run in the internet might put Skinner, noted +3500 at BetMGM, in position to win the Conn Smythe.


"I would not have actually informed you this was sustainable previously," Smith stated of Skinner's hot play. "Now, with one series left, it definitely is sustainable."


Florida is making its 3rd successive appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, another deep run in which fatigue could lastly catch up to the Panthers. Or they could merely be on a heating unit having actually won 10 of their previous 11 playoff series.


Shreeve stated the metrics indicate a Panthers championship and though either outcome would be fine with Caesars, a Florida victory would be much better.


"I wear ´ t hate where we ´ re at with this one," Shreeve stated. "In 2015 was a little bit harder since more people liked Florida, but people are all about Edmonton this postseason, which I like."


Because this series obviously might go in either case and Oklahoma City is heavily preferred over Indiana in the NBA Finals, that could increase wagering interest in the Stanley Cup Final.


"I believe it assists the NBA is getting the less sexier matchup," Shreeve stated. "The more bettable series is going to be Edmonton-Florida. If things stay tight, it has a chance to go 6 or 7 video games, which would help."


AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl


Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) and Connor McDavid (97) participate in practice, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, ahead of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup final series against the Florida Panthers. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press by means of AP)


FILE - Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov hoists the Stanley Cup after beating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Monday, June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press by means of AP, File)