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NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly congratulates Connor McDavid after Edmonton beat the Dallas Stars, and Gonzales Oona offers his take, including props, betting lines, and analysis, on the Stanley Cup Final featuring the Oilers and Panthers.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly congratulates Connor McDavid after Edmonton beat the Dallas Stars 2-1 in Game Six of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on June 02, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images via AFP

The Florida Panthers have the opportunity for redemption in the Stanley Cup Final as they begin their quest against the Edmonton Oilers to secure their first Stanley Cup victory. You can find the latest Stanley Cup final betting odds from our top NHL betting sites here.

The Edmonton Oilers have transformed into a strong and balanced team, with Connor McDavid leading the charge. The entire roster has stepped up their performance, propelling the Oilers to their first Stanley Cup Final in years.

Their journey has been marked by resilience and determination, making them formidable contenders in the Stanley Cup race. McDavid’s outstanding play has been crucial, leading all postseason scorers with 31 points in 18 games and solidifying his status as the top candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Their quest for a championship title is being tested by the formidable Florida Panthers, who have proven their strength by overcoming tough teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers, securing their spot in the Stanley Cup Final for the second year in a row.

The Oilers are aiming to win their first title since 1989-90, but they face a strong Panthers team who are also hungry for their first championship.

They are the slight frontrunners to capture their inaugural Stanley Cup championship. Check out my predictions for the Stanley Cup Final odds and series betting preview (odds sourced from top sports betting sites).

2024 Stanley Cup Final schedule

Every game begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

Game LocationDateHow to watch
1Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, Fla.)Saturday, June 8ABC, ESPN+, Sportsnet, CBC
2Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, Fla.)Monday, June 10ABC, ESPN+, Sportsnet, CBC
3Rogers Place (Edmonton, Alberta)Tuesday, June 13ABC, ESPN+, Sportsnet, CBC
4Rogers Place (Edmonton, Alberta)Saturday, June 15ABC, ESPN+, Sportsnet, CBC
5Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, Fla.)*Tuesday, June 18ABC, ESPN+, Sportsnet, CBC
6Rogers Place (Edmonton, Alberta)*Friday, June 21 ABC, ESPN+, Sportsnet, CBC
7Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, Fla.)*Monday, June 24ABC, ESPN+, Sportsnet, CBC

If needed

Oilers vs. Panthers stats breakdown

Regular season 

StatOilersPanthers 
Record49-27-652-24-6
Head-to-head 0-22-0
Home points %.732 (tied 2nd).659 (tied 10th)
Away points % .537 (tied 11th).683 (2nd)
Goals for per game3.56 (4th)3.23 (11th)
Goals against per game 2.88 (10th)2.41 (tied 1st)
Win % leading after one period.609 (4th).594 (7th)
Corsi %55.17% (3rd)55.68% (2nd)
PDO 100.28 (15th)100.62 (8th)
Power play26.3% (4th)23.5% (8th)
Penalty kill 79.5% (15th)82.5% (tied 6th)
Goaltending advantage 

Playoffs

StatOilersPanthers
Record12-612-5
Home record6-36-3
Away record 6-36-2
Goals for per game3.503.24
Goals against per game 2.612.29
Record when leading after one period5-35-0
Record when scoring first 10-47-2
Record when conceding first 2-25-3
Record in one-goal games7-47-3
Corsi %49.91% 55.42% 
PDO 99.5699.70
Power play37.3% 23.3%
Penalty kill 93.9%88.2%
Goaltending advantage 

Both teams are evenly matched in terms of statistics. Nevertheless, it is important to take note of some trends from previous rounds.

The Oilers’ penalty kill has been the standout element of their playoff performance, playing a crucial role in their journey to the final. Both units have successfully killed 28 consecutive penalties and have not allowed a power-play goal since Game 3 of the second round against the Vancouver Canucks, maintaining a streak of 10 games.

In the opening round, Edmonton maintained a 100% kill rate against the Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks were able to score three power-play goals in Games 2 and 3, which were the only goals Edmonton allowed on the penalty kill out of 18 playoff contests.

The Panthers’ penalty kill is exceptional, ranking second behind the Oilers with an 88.2% success rate. In the second round, their two units successfully killed off 14 out of 15 power plays by the New York Rangers and 16 out of 17 by the Boston Bruins.

The Oilers power play struggled in the first four games of the Western Conference Final, failing to score on their first six attempts. However, they turned things around when it mattered most, going 4-for-5 in Games 5 and 6. They scored four of the final five goals, including both in the series-clinching Game 6. With a success rate of 37.3%, the Oilers power play is the most dangerous in the postseason.

In terms of even-strength play, the Panthers statistically outperform the Oilers, with 39 goals scored and 30 allowed, compared to the Oilers’ 43 goals for and 44 against.

Another important contrast to be aware of is the differing performance of the Oilers and Panthers in the first and third periods. Edmonton tends to dominate in the first 20 minutes, outscoring opponents 23-13, while Florida typically excels in the third period, scoring 13 and allowing just 10 goals in the opening frame.

On the other hand, the Panthers have scored 24 goals and allowed 11 in the third period, whereas the Oilers have been outscored 19-12 in the last 20 minutes of play.

Oilers vs. Panthers odds

MarketOilersPanthers
Series winner+110 via bet365-130 via DraftKings 
SpreadOilers +1.5 games (-190 via DraftKings)Panthers -1.5 games (+160 via BetMGM)
Total games 6 games (+200 via DraftKings)                                            7 games (+200 via DraftKings)    
Game 1 winner+115 via BetMGM-135 via DraftKings
Game 1 spread+1.5 (-196 via FanDuel)-1.5 (+185 via DraftKings)
Game 1 totalOver 5.5 (-115 via FanDuel)Under 5.5 (-105 via FanDuel)
Conn Smythe favoriteConnor McDavid (+230 via FanDuel)Aleksander Barkov, Sergei Bobrovsky (+450 via DraftKings)

The Panthers are widely considered the top choice among our top sports betting apps. Meanwhile, their rivals from Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning, have been dominant, making three consecutive finals from 2020-2022 and winning twice. However, Florida fell short in last season’s Stanley Cup Final, losing in five games to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Panthers likely gained valuable lessons on winning from their loss in the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Final. Now, they are up against a team led by possibly the greatest hockey player of all time, with an entire nation rallying behind them. The Oilers are determined to make history by becoming the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup since the 1992-93 Montreal Canadiens.

The most recent Stanley Cup Final to go to seven games was in 2019, with the Boston Bruins losing to the St. Louis Blues. Only one of the last 12 Cup finals has gone the distance. It’s been a while since we’ve had a thrilling seven-game series, and I believe the Oilers and Panthers are evenly matched enough to make it happen this year. DraftKings’ +200 odds suggest a 33.33% probability, with a $10 bet potentially paying out a $20 profit if the series goes to a decisive seventh game.

One way to increase the value of the Oilers’ +1.5-game spread (-196) and the Over 5.5 games (-188) at FanDuel is to combine them. By doing so, you can get better odds and potentially win more money. Our parlay calculator shows that this mini-parlay offers +131 odds, meaning a $10 bet could result in a profit of $13.13 if successful. Check out the Stanley Cup prediction section below to find out why I have confidence in the Oilers.

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I may not be the only one supporting McDavid as the Conn Smythe winner, but if you’re also feeling the Oilers’ strong energy, consider backing him at FanDuel now while you can still get their +230 odds, which are currently the best value among top sports betting sites. These odds are likely to decrease as we get closer to Game 1.

If you believe the Oilers will lose Game 1 but ultimately win the Stanley Cup, it may be wise to hold off on placing your bets, as McDavid’s odds are likely to slightly increase in that situation.

Oilers vs. Panthers series player props

Series leaderOilersPanthers
GoalsZach Hyman (+360 via DraftKings)Carter Verhaeghe (+550 via DraftKings)
PointsConnor McDavid (+140 via DraftKings)Matthew Tkachuk (+900 via DraftKings)
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Zach Hyman, winger for the Oilers, currently leads all skaters with 14 goals. He is ahead by four goals compared to Dallas Stars’ forward Wyatt Johnston and teammate Leon Draisaitl. DraftKings’ +360 odds give Hyman a 21.74% chance of being the top goalscorer in the final. I would gladly take those odds any day of the week.

Hyman’s presence on the first power-play unit and his strong play alongside McDavid at even strength speaks for itself. Despite any potential setbacks for the Oilers, Hyman’s impressive 0.5 goals-per-game rate in the playoffs makes him the standout player in my eyes.

If a $10 bet is successful, a profit of $36 will be earned.

And then there’s McDavid, who is unstoppable when he’s in top form. McDavid led the Oilers to victory against the Stars, bouncing back after being kept off the scoresheet in Game 2. He scored eight points in the last four games of the Western Conference Final, highlighted by his incredible power play goal in Game 6.

McDavid is unmatched in his ability to lead a team to victory, even in the postseason where others like Tkachuk and Draisaitl shine. I anticipate that the unstoppable captain will continue to elevate his game.

DraftKings is offering +140 odds, which means a $10 winning bet will pay a profit of $14 and implies a 41.67% probability.

Stanley Cup Final prediction 

Watching the Oilers in the Western Conference Final taught me a valuable lesson: never underestimate a team led by McDavid. Despite my initial doubts, I soon realized that the Stars were not as strong and complete as I had believed.

The Oilers team has grown significantly over the past few seasons. The losses to the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights in consecutive playoffs were ultimately beneficial for their development. The defeat in last season’s final against the Panthers is not significantly different from those previous losses, giving neither team an advantage.

The Oilers have not only matured like an 18-year-old whisky, but they have also demonstrated a newfound ability to win in unattractive ways. In Game 6 against the Stars, they only managed 10 shots on goal, the lowest in any series-clinching win. However, they were able to come out victorious thanks to a strong power play, a stellar penalty kill, and some heroic saves from Skinner. This game showcased Skinner’s ability to steal a playoff game, something he had not done before.

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The Oilers are led by two of the world’s top players, one of whom could single-handedly lead the San Jose Sharks to victory if needed. Despite facing tough competition from shutdown center Alexsander Barkov, McDavid is excited for the challenge.

The Panthers are a formidable team that swept both games against Edmonton in the regular season. With Sergei Bobrovsky, a Vezina Trophy finalist, guarding the net and no obvious weaknesses, they appear to be a strong contender. However, similar praise was given to the Dallas Stars.

McDavid is on track to secure a Stanley Cup victory and may not have a more opportune moment to do so during his peak years. It is long overdue for a Canadian team to claim the championship, with a 31-year dry spell. What better team to bring the Cup back to Canada than one guided by a once-in-a-generation talent who refuses to accept defeat?

Top choice: Oilers to win the series 4-3 at odds of +450 on DraftKings.

How to bet on the Stanley Cup Final

One of the most valuable pieces of advice is to thoroughly research your options. Take the time to explore the various markets and compare offerings from top sports betting sites before making a decision. Being proactive and staying up-to-date on odds can also give you an advantage. Keep an eye on line releases and conduct thorough comparisons to ensure you’re getting the best value possible.

Explore the performance of each team at home and away, determining if trends remain consistent regardless of location or if a team excels in certain aspects at home compared to away games, or vice versa.

For instance, the Panthers take many shots regardless of the location, but they have a higher shot on goal rate when playing at home. McDavid excels at home in all aspects, such as shots on goal, points, and assists. Hyman scored eight out of his 14 goals at home, and Bouchard earned 18 out of his 27 points at Rogers Place.

The key to increased point production frequently boils down to having the advantage of making the last change, which allows for favorable matchups. Knoblauch will aim to prevent McDavid from facing Barkov when the Oilers are playing on their home ice, but the situation will be reversed in Sunrise, Florida.

Above all, pay close attention to each game. While statistics and analytics are important, they should only be a part of your strategy. By closely observing the games and analyzing them in detail, you will gain a more thorough understanding of how players perform in different situations and against different opponents.

I can take care of all the work for you by providing coverage of each Stanley Cup Final game with the best predictions and prop picks available in North America.

Here are our best NHL betting sites:

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