Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final picks: Game 1

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final Game 1 picks: Bet on a low-scoring opening frame

Zach Hyman leads the NHL in playoff goals with 14 in 18 games played. Photo by Tony Gutierrez/AP.

Spencer Closs

June 6, 2024

The Stanley Cup Final begins on Saturday with Edmonton looking to be Canada's first champion in 31 years.

The pregame narrative: The Florida Panthers once again find themselves in the Final after a heartbreaking loss to the Vegas Golden Knights last year. This time around, the Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers and I'm expecting the first game to be a dogfight.

Check out my Oilers vs. Panthers picks for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 8.

Oilers vs. Panthers picks

Best bet: Under 1.5 first-period goals (-113)

There's no team quite like the Panthers. They play shutdown defence and limit scoring opportunities while getting under the skin of their opponents.

That is a puzzle for the Oilers to figure out and I'm not expecting them to do so in a period of play.

Florida was the best regular-season defensive team and that continued into the playoffs. In 17 games, they've conceded just 24 goals (1.4/game). But the Panthers aren't the only team with defensive upside.

Edmonton is allowing 2.0 goals per game this postseason and has become only the sixth team in NHL history not to allow a power play goal for 10 straight playoff games (28 straight penalty kills).

And let's not overlook the emergence of Stuart Skinner, who has a 1.81 GAA and .920 SV% over his last eight starts.

As much as the Oilers rely on their offence, it appears they have turned a corner and are more of an all-around team than we've seen in years past.

Key stat: In Florida's past two series, under 1.5 first-period goals has cashed in 10 of 12 games.

Quick picks

Hyman to score (+130): Zach Hyman leads the NHL in playoff goals thus far with 14 in 18 games. That is no surprise considering he is playing alongside the best hockey player on the planet.

Not only is he leading in goals, but he's also topping the league in shots (76). Hyman has 10 more shots than the next player on the list (Matthew Tkachuk, 66).

Chances may be few and far between for the Oilers on Saturday but if anyone is going to break through for Edmonton, there's value in predicting it to be Hyman.

And at plus-money, it's worth a shot taking him to find the back of the net.

Picks made at 11:30 a.m. on 06/06/24.

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