Wayne Gretzky Predicts Winner of Stanley Cup Final Without Hesitation

When asked if this is the team that will once and for all return the Cup to Canada, Gretzky made his stance clear, picking the Oilers to go all the way and win the championship.

"This is the team to do it," Gretzky said. "One, I don’t think Florida has played a team that is as physical as Edmonton. The speed of Edmonton matches Carolina, but Edmonton’s more physical."

Gretzky acknowledged the toll Florida’s deep playoff runs have taken over the past three years, highlighting that as a possible advantage on Edmonton's side.

"When you get to three championship series in a row, you’re physically beat up," Gretzky said. "Right now, I hope Florida can rebound, but they’ve put their guts on the line the last three years, and it’s hard to get to the Stanley Cup Finals, and they play hard."

That said, Gretzky still attributed the chances of winning the Cup to Edmonton's mindset, not just how tired the Panthers might be at this point in the playoffs.

"I expect (the Panthers) to bounce back. But listen, Edmonton feels it. That’s all anyone talks about," Gretzky said.

Game 2 of the Final is scheduled for Friday night at Rogers Place, with the Oilers holding a 1-0 series lead.