Panthers vs Oilers Picks and Prediction – 6/7/2025

Florida heads into Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals after falling 4-3 in overtime to Edmonton in Game 1. The Panthers had a 3-2 lead entering the third but couldn’t hold on. Edmonton’s comeback win gave them a 1-0 series lead, and now Florida looks to bounce back at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday night. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

The Panthers dropped a golden opportunity in Game 1, despite strong performances from Sam Reinhart and Aleksander Barkov. Reinhart led the team this season with 39 goals and 81 points, while Barkov added 51 assists. Florida averaged 3.00 goals per game while giving up just 2.72, backed by Sergei Bobrovsky’s 2.44 GAA and .906 save percentage. The power play has been effective at 23.5%, and the penalty kill stands at 80.7%. The Panthers are healthy with no injuries listed and must clean up the defensive lapses that allowed unanswered goals in the third period and OT.

Defensively, Florida has kept opponents to 26.2 shots per game and committed 843 penalty minutes this season. They’ve also generated 12 shorthanded goals while allowing none, a key edge if they stay disciplined. Bobrovsky will need to be sharp again in Game 2 after the collapse late in Game 1. The team has been solid on the road, finishing 20-19-2 away from home, but must limit Edmonton’s high-octane top line to avoid falling into a 2-0 series hole.

Edmonton stunned Florida in the series opener behind Leon Draisaitl’s OT game-winner and a gritty third-period push. The Oilers have now won five straight playoff games. Draisaitl led the team with 52 goals and 106 points, and Connor McDavid added 74 assists. Edmonton averages 3.16 goals per game and has a power play success rate of 23.7%. The penalty kill is slightly weaker at 78.2%, and they’ve scored just five shorthanded goals.

On defense, the Oilers allow 2.87 goals per game and 27.0 shots. Stuart Skinner carries a 2.81 GAA with a .896 save percentage, but has looked shaky at times. The team’s defensemen will have to step up, especially since Alec Regula is out. The Oilers have a strong 25-13-3 home record, and with the crowd behind them and momentum from Game 1, they’ll look to keep control of the series.

The Oilers have won six in a row and are dominant at home, while the Panthers gave up a critical lead in Game 1. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are simply doing more damage right now than Reinhart and Barkov. Edmonton has a slight offensive edge in goals per game, shot totals, and power play execution. Final Score Prediction: Edmonton Oilers win 4-2.