Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Florida Panthers hosting the Edmonton Oilers in this pivotal Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final series. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers
Series Head-to-Head: Oilers 1-1 Panthers
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TNT, TruTV, CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS; Max
The Stanley Cup Final now shifts to South Florida in this latest round of NHL predictions. It was a wild matchup in Game 2, but Brad Marchand‘s double-overtime winner guided Florida to a 5-4 victory. The victory gives the Panthers home-ice, but the Oilers are adapt at winning on the road.
Edmonton feels that it left a number of chances on the table. However, the Oilers should be ready for a trip into hostile territory. Both goalies will also need to be on the ready because shots have been coming fast and furious in the first two games.
Let’s take a look at the stats, storylines and matchups heading into Game 3 in this round of NHL predictions.
The Oilers Story
Edmonton wasn’t able to get the overtime magic in Game 2. Corey Perry was able to force overtime with 18 seconds left in regulation. However, the Oilers weren’t able to close the deal and get the 2-0 series advantage. Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard both recorded three points in the game.
Stuart Skinner will draw the start again, but has to play better. He did make 37 saves, but five goals allowed in a Stanley Cup Final game is tough to overcome.
McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are the top two in points this post-season. However, keep an eye on the status of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He’s a game-time decision according to head coach Kris Knoblauch.
The Panthers Story
Florida was able to steal a game in Alberta, which was the team’s mission. However, the Panthers could easily be down 0-2 if a few bounces didn’t go their way.
Sergei Bobrovsky was first the first goalie to open the Stanley Cup Final with back-to-back 40-plus save performances. However, he’ll need the defence to help take some of the pressure off him.
Sam Bennett leads the team in goals (13) and points (19) going into this one. However, depth scoring has been the hallmark of the Panthers the last three deep playoff runs.
Prediction
The Panthers have a new lease on life. Going down two games to zero to the Oilers would have been a big hole to climb out of. Edmonton did almost overturn an 0-3 deficit, but the teams are a different this year.
However, the Panthers are strong at taking advantage of chances when presented to them. Florida will get that coveted 2-1 series lead.
Prediction: Panthers win 4-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We round out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for this game is 6.5 and that number has been surpassed in the first two games.
As for individual props, go with Bouchard to record a power-play point for Edmonton. On the Florida side of things, take Aleksander Barkov to register an assist.
Main photo by: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
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