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In a twist of nature, the summer brings with it the best hockey of the year as the Stanley Cup Final commences this June. This series is a rematch of last year’s matchup, a showdown that went the full 7 games. The Panthers prevailed in Game 7 to avoid blowing a 3-0 lead in the series. For an expert Stanley Cup prediction and insights on who’s going to win the Stanley Cup, read on.
- Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final
- Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers
- Wednesday, June 4, 2025
- 8 PM EST
- Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
- TNT, TruTV, Max
Stanley Cup Prediction: Panthers vs Oilers Betting Odds
Oilers are the favorites to take the lead in the Stanley Cup Final thanks to their well-earned home ice advantage. The hosts are (-127) to win Game 1. The total is set at a flat 6, juiced to the over. The -1.5 puck line pays out at a strong (+188) in favor of Edmonton.
Game 1 
Panthers +113 +110 +115 Oilers -127 -130 -135 Panthers +1.5 -222 -220 -220 Oilers -1.5 +187 +188 +180 Over 6 -119 -120 -122 Under 6 +103 +100 +102
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Panthers Look to Retain NHL Title
The defending champions are back in the ultimate round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It didn’t always look like they’d return to the Stanley Cup Final, however. Florida finished 3rd in the Atlantic with 98 points, a far cry from the 110 total the season prior. Now they face the Oilers in the 12th consecutive-year rematch in Stanley Cup history.
Home ice advantage played a massive role in last year’s series, with the road team winning just twice in seven games. Florida recovered from a 3-game losing streak to win Game 7 at home. This time around, it is Edmonton who will host a potential winner-take-all clash.
Stuart Skinner is back in the net for Florida after Calvin Pickard picked up an injury in the second round of the NHL playoffs. He will go toe-to-toe with Sergei Bobrovsky yet again, who’s garnered a reputation as a big-game player. Skinner lost his first three games on the bounce before turning it around. He’s now 6-1 in his last seven starts with a 1.41 goals-against average, .944 save percentage and three shutouts.
Edmonton Oilers Seek Revenge After Heartbreaking 2024 Loss
The Oilers are playing in their ninth Stanley Cup Final, setting a record for the most amongst non-Original 6 franchises. A victory would tie the hockey club with the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks for the fourth-most Stanley Cups in league history. And history bodes well for Edmonton: the previous Stanley Cup rematches saw the losing team win the following year. That would be Wayne Gretzky turning it around for the Oilers and Sidney Crosby for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Interestingly, this Florida-Edmonton matchup is the furthest distance between venues in Stanley Cup Final history, besting the bicoastal Vancouver and Boston series of 2011. Another fun stat: 40-year-old Corey Perry is set to be the first player to feature for 5 different franchises in the Stanley Cup Final.
What Edmonton lacks in defense they compensate handsomely in attack: A whopping +48 offensive rating proves that. Florida’s +37 defensive rating will counter nicely, but it is Edmonton’s blue line vs. the Panther’s forecheck that could be the most important battle. Florida is relentless in preventing turnover of possession quickly and punished Tampa Bay and Toronto in the pair of series.
Stanley Cup Prediction: Panthers vs Oilers Betting Pick
It’s worth noting that the Oilers opened as underdogs to win the Final but have moved to the position as favorites. Perhaps that’s because of their stacked lineup. Connor McDavid is the consensus best player in hockey today, and he is joined by a Hart Trophy finalist along with an in-form goalie.
While Edmonton has home ice advantage for this series, Florida has been a juggernaut on the road. An 8-2 away record in the playoffs with a +27 goal differential are record-breaking marks, and that’s against the best teams in the East. During a season of unprecedented success for home teams, the Panthers are a rare exception. Home teams not playing the Panthers have won 67% of games in the playoffs.
So when looking at Game 1 from a betting perspective, it’s hard to pick a side. The Oilers are getting smart money their way, but more for the series as a whole rather than Game 1. Whether in fear of Florida’s road record or more in support of Edmonton’s ability to replicate their late-series success, it’s apparent now is not the time to buy in on the Oilers. Therefore, we will look at the total instead.
Last year’s Game 1 saw a total set at 5.5, with the under 6.5 total goals priced at (-175). Fast-forward to 2025 and the under 6.5 is just (-125) on some books. Historically speaking, there is tons of value on betting unders on totals of 6 or higher in the NHL playoffs. But the Oilers are the exception to many rules, and recent playoff years have seen an increase in scoring.
Regardless, I think the total is an overreaction to a high-flying Oilers team. I believe there is value in backing low-scoring outcomes throughout this season, and will recommend doing so in Game 1. Take under 6 goals at (+103) at BetOnline, or shop around for other top online sportsbooks that are hanging 6.5 numbers. If this series is close, this total price could be as good as it gets.
Odds are accurate at time of writing but subject to change.
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