The 2025 Stanley Cup Final is set to commence on Wednesday with Game 1, hosted by the Edmonton Oilers as they face the Florida Panthers. This highly anticipated series is a rematch of the previous year`s championship, where Florida ultimately claimed the Cup in seven games.
Both participating teams reached the final after relatively swift conference championship series. The Panthers secured their spot by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final in five games, while the Oilers advanced by overcoming the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final, also in five games. Game 1 is scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET puck drop at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
In the latest betting odds for Oilers vs. Panthers Game 1, Edmonton is favored on the moneyline at -130 (requiring a $130 wager to win $100), while Florida is listed as the underdog at +110 (a $100 wager wins $110). The total number of goals (over/under) is set at 6. On the puck line, the Oilers are -1.5 at +185. For those looking to bet on the game, predictions from SportsLine`s established simulation model are available.
The SportsLine Projection Model is a robust tool that simulates every NHL game 10,000 times. Entering the start of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, the model has demonstrated strong performance, holding a combined 80-56 record on its top-rated NHL puck line and over/under betting selections. Following these picks with $100 wagers has yielded a return of over $1,600.
Model`s Best Bets for Game 1
Based on its simulations, the model has identified these as key picks for Wednesday`s game (odds are subject to change):
- Panthers on the puck line +1.5 (-226)
- Over 6 total goals (-120)
Analysis Supporting the Picks
Panthers +1.5 Puck Line
Florida benefits from an extra day of rest leading into Game 1 and has been dominant on the road in the playoffs, winning their last five consecutive away games. Historically, the Panthers have also had recent success against the Oilers, winning their last three meetings (including games from last year`s final) by a narrow one-goal margin each time. The SportsLine model`s simulations strongly support the Panthers covering the +1.5 puck line, projecting this outcome in well over 70% of simulations.
Over 6 Total Goals
Both Edmonton and Florida have seen recent playoff games trend towards higher scoring, with the Over hitting in two of their last three respective contests. Looking back at the regular season, every game played between these two teams featured more than six total goals. While goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky and Stuart Skinner are key players, their playoff statistics show they are allowing, on average, more than two goals per game. Offensively, both teams possess considerable firepower; Edmonton has averaged 4.06 goals per game across their 16 playoff contests, and Florida is close behind with an average of 3.88 goals per night. These offensive capabilities and recent trends suggest Wednesday`s Game 1 is likely to be a high-scoring affair.
