Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers Game 1 Pick – 6/4/2025

Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final unfolds tonight at Rogers Place, as the Edmonton Oilers host the Florida Panthers in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s championship series. The Panthers clinched their first Stanley Cup in 2024 by narrowly defeating the Oilers in a seven-game thriller. Now, both teams return with unfinished business and a wealth of playoff experience, setting the stage for another intense series opener.

Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers Game 1 Preview

Florida enters the Final with momentum, having won four of their last five games to win the Eastern Conference Final over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Panthers have demonstrated depth throughout the playoffs. Captain Aleksander Barkov has contributed 17 points in the playoffs to lead the team, but the Panthers have 10 players with at least 10 points so far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to start, entering the Stanley Cup Final with a .912 save percentage for the playoffs.

On the other side, Edmonton aims to rebound from last year's loss in the Stanley Cup Final. They dispatched the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final, winning the final four games of that series to advance to this rematch with Florida. The dynamic duo of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid will be the focal point for the Oilers going into this series. But the play of Stuart Skinner will be huge as well, as Skinner helped the Oilers hold the Stars to just five goals across the final four games of Edmonton's last series.

Betting Insights

• Moneyline: Florida Panthers +110, Edmonton Oilers -130
• Total Goals: Over/Under set at 6.5

Both defenses have been great of late going into this contest. But that does not make the under a safe bet by any means, as both teams have been pouring in the goals when they have been in possession of the puck in these playoffs. These teams also combined for seven or more goals in both of their regular season meetings this year, which could point to the over as a strong play.

Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers Game 1 Prediction

The Oilers appear to have the upper hand in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Skinner is playing much better in goal for the Oilers of late, which has completely changed the way that the Oilers are able to defend. That, combined with their incredible home crowd, should help them get over the finish line while keeping home-ice advantage in this series.

Prediction: Edmonton Oilers 4, Florida Panthers 3

Best Bets:

• Edmonton Moneyline: -130
• Over 6.5 Total Goals

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