The 2025 Stanley Cup Final is set to kick off on Wednesday with Game 1 featuring the Edmonton Oilers hosting the Florida Panthers. This series is a highly anticipated rematch of last year`s championship, which the Panthers ultimately won in seven games.
Both teams reached the final after hard-fought five-game series in their respective conferences. Florida advanced by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, while Edmonton secured their spot by overcoming the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final.
Game 1 is scheduled for puck drop at 8 p.m. ET and will take place at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
According to the latest betting odds, the Edmonton Oilers are positioned as the favorite for Game 1 with a moneyline of -122 (bet $122 to win $100). The Florida Panthers are the underdogs at +102 (bet $100 to win $102). The total goals over/under for the game is set at 6. Additionally, the Oilers have a puck line of -1.5 (+191).
For those seeking predictions and betting insights, a sports projection model that simulates each game 10,000 times has analyzed this matchup. This model has demonstrated a solid performance record on top-rated NHL puck-line and over/under picks, showing positive returns for bettors following its recommendations.
Based on this analysis, here are some recommended bets for the Oilers vs. Panthers Game 1:
- Florida Panthers on the puck line +1.5 (-234)
- Over 6 total goals (-130)
Analysis of Recommended Bets:
Panthers +1.5 on the puck line (-234): The rationale behind this pick includes Florida having an extra day of rest compared to Edmonton. The Panthers also boast a strong playoff road record, winning five consecutive games away from home. Historically, Florida has had recent success against the Oilers, winning their last three encounters, including games from last year`s Final series, each by a margin of just one goal. The projection model supports this pick, indicating a high probability that Florida will cover the +1.5 puck line.
Over 6 total goals (-130): This prediction is supported by recent scoring trends for both teams in the playoffs, with the “Over” hitting in two of their last three games. Furthermore, their regular-season matchups this year saw more than six goals scored in each contest. While goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky for Florida and Stuart Skinner for Edmonton both average over two goals against per game in the playoffs, the offensive powerhouses on both sides are significant. Edmonton has averaged an impressive 4.06 goals per game over 16 playoff contests, and Florida isn`t far behind, averaging 3.88 goals per night. These statistics suggest Game 1 has strong potential to be a high-scoring game.
