Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 Picks and Predictions

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The rematch is here, and Florida has the edge.

Connor McDavid and the Oilers are back in the Stanley Cup Final, but they’ve got the same problem as last year: the Panthers. Game 1 is in Edmonton, but don’t expect home ice to mean much. Florida’s 8-2 on the road this postseason and playing like a team that knows exactly how to handle this moment.

McDavid might be saying all the right things locked in, focused, blocking out the noise but standing just behind him at media day was a massive photo of Matthew Tkachuk hoisting the Cup. That’s the mental backdrop for Edmonton heading into this series.

Florida’s been here before, and they’ve leveled up. Aleksander Barkov just took home his third Selke Trophy, has 17 points in 17 games, and is driving both ends of the ice. Sergei Bobrovsky is in prime form again, with a shutout in every playoff round. He’s already won this goaltending duel once and comes in playing elite positional hockey.

McDavid and Draisaitl will get their chances, but Florida’s depth, structure, and road dominance give them the advantage in Game 1. They’ve already beat this team in two tight matchups this season, and they know exactly what it takes to steal one early.

Edmonton might be fueled by revenge. Florida’s fueled by experience and they look ready to strike first.

Pick: Panthers ML +110