Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 Pick: Home Team to Make Fast Start? (Jun 4)

The Stanley Cup champions for 2025 will be crowned by the end of June, and there will be a familiar feeling to the championship event, as the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers collide for the second straight season. You can find the odds and our game one pick here.

Oilers vs. Panthers Game 1 Odds

Oilers vs. Panthers Game 1 Preview

For the second season running, the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will collide in the Stanley Cup finals. Last season’s encounter saw a thriller, with the Panthers winning each of the opening three games, before being taken to a game seven decider after defeats in games four, five, and six. But, Florida would rediscover their winning form in the crucial winner-take-all showdown.

The Panthers secured their spot in the Stanley Cup finals late last week after wrapping up a series win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Their series-deciding win was recorded on the road, with Aleksander Barkov ending the night with two assists.

The Oilers also needed only five games to secure their place in the Stanley Cup finals, with their clinching win coming on the road in Dallas on Thursday. Edmonton scored three times in an action-packed opening frame. Evander Kane, Mattias Janmark, and Kasperi Kapanen all ended the night with goals.

The Oilers have been in excellent form in the playoffs to this point, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the competition in terms of points scored. In fact, four Oilers players rank in the top five in terms of highest-scoring players in the post-season.

Oilers vs. Panthers Game 1 Picks

Home advantage will be vitally important in the Stanley Cup finals this year, and the Oilers will be aiming to avoid the poor start that was ultimately damning for their chances in 2024.

However, they have grown into the competition throughout the season, and they look to have all the attacking quality to produce a mesmeric display in game one this week.