Oilers vs. Panthers odds, line, score prediction: 2024 Stanley Cup Final picks, Game 1 bets by proven model

The final phase of the Edmonton Oilers’ quest for a sixth championship in franchise history begins Saturday when they visit the Florida Panthers for Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. Edmonton joined the NHL in 1979-80 and reached the final in their fourth campaign before beginning a run of five titles in seven seasons. The Oilers have made just one other Stanley Cup Final appearance since winning the trophy in 1990, losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. Florida has missed both previous trips to the Final, as it was swept by the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 and defeated in five games for the Vegas Golden Knights last year. The Panthers outscored the Oilers 10-4 in winning both meetings during the regular season.

The opening matchup at Amerant Bank Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Florida is favored at -139 (risk $139 to win $100) in the latest Panthers vs. Panthers odds. Oilers, while the over/under for total goals scored is 5.5. Before making any Oilers vs. Panthers or Stanley Cup Final Predictions, you need to check the NHL predictions in the SportsLine projection model.

SportsLine’s model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times, taking into account factors such as current form, individual matchups, injuries, and short- and long-term trends when making NHL Picks. He entered the 2024 NHL playoffs on a 7-4 streak on top-rated puck line picks.

Now the model is watching Panthers vs. Lubricators and just secured your NHL picks and Stanley Cup Final predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the latest NHL Odds and trends for Oilers vs. Panthers:

• Panthers vs. Panthers Money Line Oilers: Florida -139, Edmonton +117
• Panthers x Oilers over/under: 5.5 goals
• Panthers vs. Panthers puck line Oilers: Florida -1.5 (+185)
• FLA: The Panthers are 11-3 in their last 14 home games
• EDM: The Oilers are 12-2 in their last 14 road games against Florida
• Panthers vs. Panthers Picks Oilers: See the picks at SportsLine

Why you should support the Panthers

If the regular season series is any indication, Florida should soon be the proud owner of the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. The Panthers have won both meetings with the Oilers in 2023-24, recording a 5-3 victory at home in November and a 5-1 triumph in Edmonton a month later. Finnish defender Niko Mikkola has scored just three goals in 82 games this season, but two came in the home win over the Oilers, while Swedish center Kevin Stenlund scored three (goal, two assists) of his 15 points this campaign in that competition.

Carter Verhaeghe had a power-play goal and an assist in Florida’s first win against Edmonton, before scoring twice and scoring another in the second triumph. The 28-year-old center leads the Panthers with nine goals this postseason after scoring seven in 21 games in last year’s playoffs. Center Sam Bennett, who had two goals and two assists against the Oilers in the regular season, racked up four goals and two assists in the conference final and enters Saturday on a three-game scoring streak. See who to support on SportsLine.

Why you should support the Oilers

The key to Edmonton’s run to the Stanley Cup Final was its special teams. The Oilers ranked fourth in the NHL on the power play during the regular season (26.3%), but took another step forward in the playoffs, going 19 of 51 for a 37.3% success rate. The club scored on the man advantage in each of its nine postseason games, then went 1-for-16 in its next seven games before converting four of its five opportunities in the final two games against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final.

It’s no surprise that the Oilers have the two leading power play scorers in the postseason. Center Leon Draisaitl scored six times with the man advantage, while five of league-leading left winger Zach Hyman’s 14 goals came on the power play. Meanwhile, Edmonton made 93.9% of its penalties and also placed first in the playoffs. The Oilers were 14 of 14 against Dallas and are 28 of 28 on the penalty kill since allowing a power play goal in the second period of Game 3 in their second-round series against the Vancouver Canucks. See who to support on SportsLine.

How to make Panthers vs. Panthers picks Oilers

SportsLine’s model leans toward the total, projecting 5.6 combined goals. It also says that one side of the money line has all the value. You can only make your choice at SportsLine.

So who wins Panthers vs Oilers in Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final and which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Oilers vs. Oilers money line. Panthers jump on Saturdayall from the advanced model that simulated this confrontation 10,000 times.