Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers is finally here. The series opens up in Sunrise, FL at Amerant Bank Arena with the Panthers as home favorites to kick things off.
Both the Oilers and Panthers won their respective Conference Finals series in six games last weekend with Edmonton eliminating Dallas and Florida taking down New York. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl lead the Oilers into Florida against a Panthers team with good depth and defense that will test Edmonton’s stars.
Why not spice things up with a same-game parlay? Here are my NHL picks for Oilers vs. Panthers on Saturday, June 8.
Oilers vs Panthers same-game parlay picks June 8
- Over 5.5
- Sam Bennett 1+ point
- Leon Draisaitl 1+ assist
(+475 at bet365)
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Best Oilers vs Panthers SGP for Saturday
Over 5.5
Sam Bennett Over 0.5 points
Leon Draisaitl Over 0.5 assists
The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are both capable of putting up goals. We’re presented with a low total of 5.5 in the Stanley Cup Final with each team looking to set the tone to start the series. While there may be some time to feel each other out, there’s also the possibility of a few more penalties being called than you’d expect.
The Oilers and Panthers are both strong on the power play — although Edmonton’s penalty kill is even better — and we could see each team get a few man-advantage opportunities in Game 1. But that’s not the reason we’re backing the Over 5.5 here.
The Panthers are among the league leaders in expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 this postseason with 2.66, and the Oilers are in the middle of the pack defensively at 2.44 xGA/60. While Florida boasts a 2.17 xGA/60 at 5-on-5, the Cats haven’t faced a superstar like Connor McDavid or even Leon Draisaitl for that matter. They should be able to slow them down, but it’s quite hard to completely shut down the best player in the world.
I’m expecting both teams to come out hot to open the series with at least two goals on each side. Mind you, the Panthers outscored the Oilers 10-4 in their two regular-season meetings with the total set at seven goals in those matchups. Things should tighten up in the Stanley Cup Final, obviously, but getting a 5.5 here to open the series is a good look.
The Panthers’ top line will be tasked with matching up against McDavid and the Oilers’ top line. That’ll leave the Cats’ second line with more favorable matchups offensively.
Second-line center Sam Bennett scored in each of the final three games against the Rangers and has six points (four goals) in his last six games. In fact, he’s recorded a point in eight of 12 games these playoffs, and he’s +115 to do so here? I’m all over that.
Finally, I’m taking Draisaitl to record an assist. He’s around -250 to record a point but just -110 for that point to be an assist. Sure, the German forward is capable of putting the puck in the net, but he’s recorded an assist in 13 of 18 playoff games and scored a goal without an assist in just three contests this postseason.
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