Stanley Cup Final G1: Panthers-Oilers Preview, Props & Prediction

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final begins Wednesday night in Edmonton, with the Oilers seeking to atone for last year's seven-game finals loss at the hands of the Florida Panthers.

While the Panthers are seeking to repeat, the Oilers opened as series favorites at many sportsbooks. But winning Game 1 at home will be critical in Edmonton's quest to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup since 1990.

ODDS & TRENDS

The Oilers are consensus 1.0-goal favorites ahead of Game 1, although many sportsbooks had the line sitting at 1.5 midday Wednesday. That included BetRivers, where the Panthers have been backed by 65 percent of the spread-line bets and 60 percent of the money.

However, Edmonton has been the more popular moneyline choice at -132, drawing 61 and 70 percent of the action, respectively. That includes a $4,000 wager on the Oilers' moneyline when it was sitting at +123.

The total goals scored line of 6.0 has seen the Over backed by 82 percent of the bets and 90 percent of the money. While it's a high goal total, seven of Florida's past eight road games have hit the Over.

It's also important to note that the Panthers have a five-game road winning streak and have covered the puck line in five of their past six games.

PROP PICKS

--Carter Verhaeghe to Score (+255 at DraftKings): Verhaeghe has found the net just twice in his past eight games, but the Florida center has scored in each of these teams' past three meetings.

--Connor McDavid to Score (+155 at BetRivers): This has been the book's most wagered-on prop for Game 1 in both total bets (3.1 percent) and money (1.9 percent). He tallied nine of his 26 playoff points (six goals, 20 assists) in Edmonton's five-game series win over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference finals, and the three-time Hart Trophy recipient has totaled four assists in two meetings versus the Panthers this season.

THE NEWS

This marks the first Stanley Cup rematch since the Pittsburgh Penguins responded to a six-game loss to Detroit in 2008 with a seven-game series victory over the Red Wings in 2009.

While all eyes will be on McDavid and fellow former Hart Trophy recipient Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers will need strong performances at the other end of the ice if they are to reverse fortunes from last year.

Edmonton goaltender Stuart Skinner has a tall task ahead of him as he squares off against two-time Vezina Trophy recipient Sergei Bobrovsky for the second straight final.

"He's one of the best goalies in the world," Skinner said of Bobrovsky, who has notched one shutout in each round this spring. "He's impressive. He skates well. Technically, I don't think there's much wrong with him in my perspective. He's exceptional."

Florida coach Paul Maurice praised both clubs for what they've done to address perceived weaknesses.

"Each of us going into last year had a definable strength. They're a really good offensive team and we were close to being the best defensive team," Maurice said. "I don't think that's changed for either team. What both teams have done is added to the other parts. ... We both improved a part of our game that wasn't a part of our strengths, and our strengths are still as good as they've ever been."

The Panthers are making their third consecutive Stanley Cup appearance off strong play on the road. They are 8-2 away from home in the playoffs.

Florida captain Aleksander Barkov has totaled 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 17 playoff games, including seven (three goals, four assists) in his team's five-game series win over the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals.

Barkov was named as the winner of the Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward for the third time in his career on Monday. He also won the King Clancy Trophy for noteworthy humanitarian contributions.

THEY SAID IT

"It can be draining just dealing with the emotion. You feel closer, then there's a big circus. It can feel like it's larger than it is. At the end of the day, it's another series, and we're playing another great team. And we'll have to beat them before anything else happens. They have our complete focus. All of our energy is going into beating the Florida Panthers. There should be nothing else on anyone's mind." -- McDavid, on what lies ahead for his team as it prepares for a rematch with the Panthers.