Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers 2025 Stanley Cup Final series prediction, pick

The Panthers and Oilers will meet in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight season. Florida can become the third team this century to win back-to-back Stanley Cups but considering that revenge is on Edmonton’s mind and its superstars are locked in, this series should be a dogfight. The public is backing the Oilers at -120 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook with 62% of the bets and 77% of the money placed on them to win their first Cup since 1990. These two teams met twice in the regular season with the Panthers coming out on top both times in down-to-the-wire matchups.

Game 1 is set for Wednesday, June 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET and will take place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Below, I’ve provided a series preview as well as my top prediction and pick on DraftKings Sportsbook for the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Panthers. Let’s get into it.

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final series preview

Florida Panthers

It’s no surprise that the Panthers are representing the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight season. Their physical and smart play style is made for postseason hockey and they’ve handled their opponents rather easily except the Maple Leafs, who took them to seven games. Florida has incredible depth with 21-of-22 skaters notching at least one point and 19-of-22 notching at least one goal so far this postseason. Its defense has been lockdown, per usual, and Sergei Bobrovsky has been stellar between the pipes, stopping 372-of-408 shots and allowing just 2.11 goals per game this postseason.

On the postseason, the Panthers rank second in 5v5 goal percentage, third in 5v5 high-danger chances and 5v5 first in goal differential above expected. They’ve allowed the fewest goals per game, third-fewest shots per game and have killed nearly 88% of their penalties. Aleksander Barkov, a strong Conn Smythe Trophy candidate, leads the team in points (17) and is seemingly the perfect forward to help slow down the likes of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Sam Bennett leads all skaters this postseason in goals (10) and is tied for second on the team in points (16).

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers come into this series with nothing but revenge on their minds. After falling to an early 3-0 series deficit in last year’s Final, they flipped a switch and outscored the Panthers, 18-to-5, in the following three games to force Game 7, in which they lost by just one goal. Now, they’re back in the same spot this year looking to secure their first Cup in the McDavid era. Speaking of that guy, it certainly helps Edmonton’s chances that it deploys two top-five players in the world in McDavid and Draisaitl. It also helps that Stuart Skinner responds to adversity in perhaps the best way and has posted a glistening .931 save percentage and 1.73 GAA since returning to the starting role.

McDavid and Draisaitl rank first and second, respectively, in points this postseason and the return of Mattias Ekholm is a welcome one as he should help bolster Edmonton’s one glaring weakness––the penalty kill, which ranks 14th. Zach Hyman’s absence stings, however, especially the physicality he brings because Florida will be looking to wear down Edmonton with its physical playstyle. Still, McDavid and Draisaitl are on another level right now, and this Oilers team is deeper than it was one year ago. Edmonton fields the fourth-best power play unit and ranks third in 5v5 goal percentage and fourth in 5v5 high-danger chances.

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final series prediction, pick

Florida is deeper, healthier and better defensively. While Skinner’s recent play has been electric, he can come back down to Earth at any moment, which gives the edge to Bobrovsky, who has shown composure in past intense postseason situations. But, let’s be real––Florida doesn’t have a McDavid or a Draisaitl. The duo is seemingly unstoppable right now and even if the Panthers’ top-ranked penalty kill unit shows down the Oilers’ lethal power play unit, the 5v5 play has been more than enough to get the job done. This Oilers team is better equipped this time around and play the first two games of the series at home, where they’ve gone 6-1 this postseason and averaged 4.71 goals per game.

We can be simple and take the Oilers to win the series at -120 odds but that’s boring. Let’s get risky and roll with a correct series score prediction on DraftKings Sportsbook. This is the Oilers’ year and they’re going to get their revenge in six games with McDavid leading the way and securing his second straight Conn Smythe Trophy. Don’t be afraid to throw some cash on McDavid to record the most points this series at +130 odds, too.

My Pick: EDM Oilers Win Series, 4-2 (+550)

See my best Conn Smythe Trophy bets here: NHL Best Bets: Best Conn Smythe Trophy odds, picks for the 2025 Stanley Cup Final