It's finally here.
The rematch we've all been waiting for is set, as the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will kick off the 2025 Stanley Cup Final tonight in Alberta, with the puck dropping in Game 1.
The Panthers have been outstanding on the road, but the Oilers have been just as strong on home ice in front of their fans. That said, I think it's the road team that prevails tonight.
Let's dive into this series as we seek out some angles in Game 1 with my Panthers vs. Oilers props and NHL picks for Wednesday, June 4.
Best Panthers vs Oilers props
Sam Bennett 3+ shots on goal (-118 at BET99)- Sergei Bobrovsky Over 24.5 saves (+100 at BET99)
- Matthew Tkachuk 1+ assist (-102 at BET99)
Panthers vs Oilers player props for June 4
Sam Bennett 3+ shots on goal (-118 at BET99)
Sam Bennett has been one of, if not the most impactful player, for the Florida Panthers this postseason. If the Panthers win the Stanley Cup, I think there is a strong case for Bennett to win the Conn Smythe trophy as the playoff MVP.
Bennett currently has the most goals of any skater in the playoffs (10 goals in 17 games), and that is largely due to how aggressive he is with putting pucks on net. In the Panthers' last game, Bennett had eight shot attempts, five of which were on target.
This postseason, Bennett is averaging 3.17 shots on goal per game, and in Game 1, it's never a bad idea to test the opposing goalie early on.
Bennett's line, with Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk, is as perfect a playoff hockey line as you can draw up, and you can rely on them to be impactful tonight as this series gets started.
Sergei Bobrovsky Over 24.5 saves (+100 at BET99)
Sergei Bobrovsky is the backbone of the Panthers and has been incredibly reliable in the blue paint.
The Edmonton Oilers have been averaging 30.8 shots on goal through the playoffs, which gives this prop plenty of breathing room for Bobrovsky, even if he lets in a few goals, which I don't think he will. Defensively, the Panthers have been surrendering just 24.2 shots on goal, which is not allowing much, but they haven't faced a team as offensively gifted as the Oilers just yet.
On home ice, the Oilers are averaging 3.48 goals per game on 32.56 shots on goal, and I don't see the Panthers slowing them down significantly. Don't get me wrong, Florida will limit them, but I don't see them being completely shut down.
Bobrovsky is boasting a 2.11 goals against average and a .912 save percentage in the postseason and I expect a good performance from him this evening.
Matthew Tkachuk 1+ assist (-102 at BET99)
If there is one player between both of these teams who can set a tone for a playoff series, it is without a doubt Matthew Tkachuk. Not only can Tkachuk contribute physically, but he is also a threat offensively.
Tkachuk has picked up an assist in four of his last five games and has 11 helpers through 17 games in the playoffs. I think Florida is being overlooked a bit heading into this series.
I'm not sure how that's possible, considering they have only lost one playoff series in their last 11, but everyone feels like it's Connor McDavid's time.
Tkachuk and the Panthers stood in the way the last time, and that might just happen again for the second year in a row. Florida is a wagon, and Tkachuk is the biggest reason why.
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