Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs roll on.
NHL Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers
Series Head-to-Head: Oilers 3-3 Panthers
TV: ABC, Sportsnet, TVAS, CBC
The two words every hockey fan wants to here have arrived and that’s GAME 7! Many had the Oilers left for dead after the third game. However, that third period of Game 3 may have been the awakening for Edmonton. Florida is feeling the pressure now after dropping three straight games. This series has turned on its head and it’s a winner-take-all game in Sunrise.
The Oilers have gotten their offence to wake up after being dormant in the opening three games. However, the penalty kill and defence have been excellent in the last three games. Stuart Skinner has also stepped up and answered his critics with some great performances. Momentum seems to be against Florida, but the Cats are still a great team and can rise up for one game.
Let’s take a look at the Game 7 storylines in this last edition of NHL predictions for the 2023-24 campaign.
The Oilers Story
Edmonton is one game away from making history being the first team in 82 years to pull off a reverse sweep in the Stanley Cup Final. The Toronto Maple Leafs overcame an 0-3 series hole to beat the Detroit Red Wings in 1942. Edmonton would be the first team since the Los Angeles Kings pulled off the feat against the San Jose Sharks in 2014.
Connor McDavid has been amazing and should probably win the Conn Smythe regardless of the series outcome. McDavid has 42 points after being held without a point in Game 6. However, one expects the Oilers’ captain to come out roaring in the final game of the season. Leon Draisaitl finally got on the scoresheet with an assist and him waking up could also be a problem.
Skinner has been fantastic and even got an assist in Game 6. He’s had doubters, but they could be awfully silent if the Oilers pull this off.
The Panthers Story
It’s been a chamber of horrors for the Cats the last three games. However, it only takes one game to hoist the Cup for the first time in franchise history. Reverse sweeps have been beaten back five times in NHL history. The most recent was 2011 when the Sharks fended off the Red Wings in the Western Final.
Momentum seems to be against the Panthers, but this is a team that’s beaten some tough clubs to get here. Aleksander Barkov has been one of the few bright spots this last three games. Most other playoffs would see him among the Conn Smythe frontrunners, but McDavid’s performance has just been too great.
Florida does have players like Matthew Tkachuk that will give everything and Sergei Bobrovsky may be struggling. However, he has turned some great performances this post-season.
Prediction
Things may be looking grim for the Panthers. However, they are at home and history has a 5-4 edge in fending off reverse sweeps. Do the Oilers have anything left? We’ll go with the home team hoisting the Cup and booing Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We do have a couple of prop bets to get you through the game. The under is five at a number of books, but we’ll go over do the Oilers offence on this one. As for individual teams, take Barkov on the over on +1.0 points and go with McDavid and the over on +1.5 points.
Main photo by: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
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