It all comes down this as the Florida Panthers have a chance to sweep the Oilers and lift Lord Stanley in the Cup Finals on Saturday Night in Edmonton. The Panthers have won three straight games this series against the Oilers, and now 5 straight this season. Things are grim for Edmonton as their skates are literally backed up against the wall at home with their season on the line.
The stars have simply not been producing. Connor McDavid has 3 points through 3 games, and he is the only Oiler with multiple points this series. Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have all been pointless this series, and Evan Bouchard has contributed one assist. Those are the Oilers’ 5 leaders in points BY FAR, and so far this series they haven’t scored and have combined for just 4 points in 3 games. That can’t happen, and it certainly won’t win you any games in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Will they finally step up against the Panthers in Game 4 to extend the series? Or will Florida embarrass Edmonton in the Stanley Cup Finals like they were the victims of last year?
Can Oilers Respond After Being Shutout?
Zach Hyman isn’t the only Oiler that is without a point this Stanley Cup Finals
Matchup Information – Panthers vs Oilers
- Venue & Location: Rogers Place (Edmonton AB)
- Date: Saturday, June 15th, 2024
- Puck Drop: 8:00pm Eastern
- Where to Watch: ABC
Betting Odds, courtesy of BetOnline
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Puck Line
- Panthers +1.5 (-263)
- Oilers -1.5 (+223)
Money Line
- Panthers +101
- Oilers -114
Total
- Over 5.5 (-102)
- Under 5.5 (-114)
Will Panthers Complete the Sweep on the Road?
The Panthers are one win away from the redemption they’ve sought for an entire year
The Panthers have been rolling, but I will say, Edmonton has at least put up a fight. They’ve outshot the Panthers in 2/3 games but have not had the contributions they need from their big name stars. I could see that changing tonight. Now, the Panthers are certainly not ones to slow down just because they have a lead in an elimination game. In the first round, they eliminated the Lightning 6-1 after putting up 39 shots on goal. They also had 30+ SOGs in both games where they eliminated Boston and New York.
However, I could see them being a little more cautious against Edmonton.
Last game the Panthers were winning 4-1 going into the 3rd period. Goals by Phillip Broberg and Ryan McLeod made it a one goal game, but the Ice Cats did indeed hang on. But they certainly learned not to toy around with the Oilers. I could see them being very conservative in this game, and letting the Oilers come to them, then using the counter attack to their advantage.
So far this series, the Panthers have not put up 30 shots against the Oilers. They’ve mustered up 18, 29, and 23 SOGs, with the Oilers only blocking about 15 attempts per contest. The Panthers are a team known for being fast and peppering the net, but I think they focus a little bit more on the defensive end tomorrow night.
Here’s exactly how I’m gonna play it.
Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers Best Bets
Stuart Skinner could have a boring game since his team needs a win to extend their series
Best Bet: Stuart Skinner Under 25.5 Saves (-113) BetOnline
Look, I know this seems crazy. But weirder stuff has happened before. I am counting on one of two scenarios to happen, but in my head, they are the most likely.
Scenario 1 – Panthers Win
I can see the Panthers sweeping. If the Oilers completely lay another egg, the Panthers could jump out to a 2-0 lead and never look back. This would entail them siting back and playing possession, letting Bobrovsky stand on his head which he’s done all series, and not really having to create chances on offense. The Oilers might pepper the Cats for 35-40+ shots and that’s totally fine with me. Like I said, the Panthers have shot plenty in elimination games, but I also think they are deep enough and good enough defensively to shutdown the Oilers in a one sided game.
Scenario 2- Oilers Win
If the Oilers do somehow win, for whatever reason, I see it being a blow out. Full on domination. McDavid, Draisaitl, all of the stars getting in on the scoring and Edmonton putting up 5-6 goals. Bobrovsky is due for an off game, and for the Oilers sake, they better hope that happens in Game 4. If this scenario happens and the Oilers light it up, I also trust their defense to play well and block some shots. They’ve blocked 15 per game already this series, and they will do anything they can to help make Skinner’s life easier.
Either way, something tells me Skinner will stay under 25.5 saves in this Game 4. As for a side, my heart hopes for the Oilers simply so we get some more hockey.
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