The Edmonton Oilers were the much better team in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Tonight, they seek a 2-0 series chokehold while the defending champion Florida Panthers aim to tie this series up at 1-1 in a pivotal Game 2.
Is there more pressure on Edmonton to go up 2-0 as opposed to Florida tying things up?
Let's dive into my NHL picks series as we seek out our favorite Panthers vs. Oilers anytime goalscorers ahead of Game 2 on Friday, June 6.
NHL anytime goalscorer picks for Panthers vs Oilers Game 2
Nugent-Hopkins (+250 at Bet99)
Barkov (+230 at Bet99)- Kane (+330 at Bet99)
Panthers vs Oilers anytime goalscorer props for tonight
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (+250 at BET99)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has arguably been the Edmonton Oilers' best player in the playoffs who is not named Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
Nugent-Hopkins has five goals in 17 games through the postseason, but it's been four games since the last time he found the back of the net, and he has been playing very well. He's more than due to be able to find one, especially if he's playing on the top line with McDavid and the Oilers' top power play unit.
He had five shot attempts in Game 1, three of which were on goal, and he's been averaging around five shot attempts per game throughout the postseason, so he will definitely get his looks.
Aleksander Barkov (+230 at Bet99)
If the Florida Panthers are going to find a way to tie things up in the series, it all starts with their captain, Aleksander Barkov.
Barkov hasn't scored a goal in his last three games and only had two shots on goal in Game 1, but he did have five shot attempts. He is the Panthers' biggest offensive threat and has scored six goals in 18 games this postseason.
Barkov's line with Evan Rodrigues and Sam Reinhart didn't have their best game in Game 1, so I expected these three to bounce back. The same goes for the Panthers' top power play unit, which struggled on their two chances.
Their line has skated to a 69.5% expected goals percentage with a 3.46 expected goals per 60 minutes. Barkov should be very impactful tonight.
Evander Kane (+330 at BET99)
Evander Kane has the ability to be a major x-factor in this series, not only with his physicality, but also with his skill around the net-front. Kane has 11 points through 16 games and has five goals in that span, but similar to Nugent-Hopkins, he is always good for about five shot attempts per game.
Kane was a bit quieter in Game 1 offensively than we would have expected. He didn't register any points and only had two shots on goal, so you have to think he'll be a bit more impactful tonight in Game 2.
Kane and his linemates Leon Draisaitl and Kasperi Kapanen have boasted a 66.7% expected goals percentage and have skated to a 4.02 expected goals per 60 minutes. Their line has been buzzing.
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