Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs roll on.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers
Series Head-to-Head: Panthers 3-0 Oilers
TV: ABC, Sportsnet, TVAS, CBC
The Panthers are one game away from hoisting the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. Florida fended off a late-charge from Edmonton to grab a commanding 3-0 series lead. We’ve seen 0-3 deficits get overturned in the past. However, it’s a big ask to rally against a talented Panthers squad. The Oilers have a lot of firepower, but they have been stymied for the most part.
Florida has plenty of choices when it comes to a Conn Smythe Trophy winner. Sergei Bobrovsky is a pretty solid choice to take home the playoff MVP award. However, there could still be last-minute movement from Aleksander Barkov or Matthew Tkachuk for the award. Another dominant effort by Bobrovsky will likely seal the deal.
However, there are plenty of other storylines remaining in this possible last edition of NHL predictions for the 2023-24 campaign.
The Panthers Story
Florida once again showed why it was the favourite in the series with a fast start. The Cats dominated the Oilers for large stretches of Game 3. However, Florida did have to withstand Connor McDavid almost willing his team to overtime with a furious third-period rally. This was one of the few times that Florida seemed to be on the back foot.
Players like Barkov, Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe got the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final. However, it’s been others that have picked up the scoring slack. Evan Rodrigues, Eetu Luostarinen and Vladimir Tarasenko have helped shoulder the scoring load and made some big plays of their own.
The Oilers Story
Was Game 3 Edmonton’s best shot at making this Final a series? McDavid did all he could to make things interesting at the end. However, Florida still walked away with a 4-3 victory to move one win away from its first Stanley Cup. The Oilers’ vaunted power play has yet to score in this series. Florida has been great on the penalty kill most of the post-season, but Edmonton knows it has to cash in when given these chances.
Leon Draisaitl has been held without a point this series and McDavid has yet to score in the Final. Evander Kane was held out of the lineup for Game 3 and his status is uncertain. Stuart Skinner will draw the start once again, but there’s really not much he can do with Bobrovsky playing as well as he’s been.
Prediction
It’s usually unwise to call for a sweep because the team down 0-3 has nothing to lose. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch will do all he can to keep his team alive. However, Paul Maurice has been hitting all the right notes for the Panthers.
The good news is that fans in Canada will see the Stanley Cup being raised tonight. However, it’ll be the Panthers doing the lifting.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We do have some prop bets for tonight’s games. On the Florida side, go with Bobrovsky letting in the under on 2.5 goals tonight. As for Edmonton, take McDavid to get the over on +1.5 points.
Main photo by: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
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