Oilers Slightly Favored Over Panthers In Stanley Cup Final Rematch

Aus Vokipedia
Wechseln zu: Navigation, Suche


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


But that edge comes from Edmonton, which mainly describes why the Oilers are minor favorites to win the series, which begins Wednesday.


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


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


Defending champion Florida, which beat Edmonton in 7 video games last year, is the +105 underdog.


BetMGM trading manager Christian Cipollini said about 55% of the cash has come in on the Oilers.


Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) speaks to media during a press 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 through AP)


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


Hockey handicapper Alex B. Smith, who co-hosts The Ice Guys podcast, does not purchase the Oilers need to be preferred.


"You don't see rematches too often in the Cup Final," Smith stated. "When you do, you always ask yourself the obvious question: Are these two teams better or even worse than they were last year? I 'd state Florida is a better version of themselves from in 2015. Edmonton (is) somewhat worse than last year, specifically when you look at no Zach Hyman readily available for this series. Connor Brown is returning for Game 1, but how healthy is he going to be?


"I provide 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 in 2015."


Edmonton's captain became the 2nd skater and 6th player to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs MVP last season while using the losing group.


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


"Are they actually going to offer McDavid back-to-back Conn Smythes in losing efforts?" Cipollini asked. "He is the favorite since of the points scored and there's already a precedent that they might offer it to him here, but that's something to view as the video games get going. If there is a Florida gamer that isn't really standing out ... there is a real life where it might be him once again in a losing effort."


Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner has long been seen as a weakness on the roster, a reputation 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 permitted one or no goals in five of his past seven starts, three of them shutouts.


Another excellent run in the net could put Skinner, listed +3500 at BetMGM, in position to win the Conn Smythe.


"I would not have informed you this was sustainable in the past," Smith stated of Skinner's hot play. "Now, with one series left, it certainly is sustainable."


Florida is making its 3rd consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, another deep run in which tiredness could lastly reach the Panthers. Or they could just be on a heating system having actually won 10 of their previous 11 playoff series.


Shreeve said the metrics point to a Panthers championship and though either outcome would be great with Caesars, a Florida triumph would be much better.


"I don ´ t hate where we ´ re at with this one," Shreeve stated. "Last year was a little bit tougher because more people liked Florida, but people are everything about Edmonton this postseason, which I like."


Because this series obviously might go in any case and Oklahoma City is greatly favored over Indiana in the NBA Finals, that might increase betting interest in the Stanley Cup Final.


"I think it assists the NBA is getting the less sexier match," Shreeve stated. "The more bettable series is going to be Edmonton-Florida. If things remain tight, it has an opportunity to go 6 or seven games, which would assist."


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 versus the Florida Panthers. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)


FILE - Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov raises 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)

Meine Werkzeuge
Namensräume

Varianten
Aktionen
Navigation
Werkzeuge