The Florida Panthers led the Stanley Cup finals 3-0, but after the Edmonton Oilers outscored them 18-5 in the next three games, sports fans on Monday night are getting the words they love to hear: Game 7.
Heading into Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals, the Panthers had odds of -3000 to win the championship at BetMGM and -2500 at Fanatics. As Edmonton gained steam with wins, Florida’s Stanley Cup odds dropped to around -1200 and then -350.
By Monday afternoon, the teams were even at -110. Connor McDavid and the Oilers have a chance to hoist the Cup in South Florida, and most bettors are backing the road team.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers game odds, puck line
Bettors like Oilers, Connor McDavid to pull it off
After leading his team back into the series, McDavid has a chance to add some accolades on Monday.
Heading into the Stanley Cup finals, McDavid was +800 to win the Conn Smythe Trophy at BetMGM as the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Now, heading into Game 7, with three goals and eight assists to his name this series, he’s a stunning -3000 at BetMGM.
At Fanatics, he’s received the fifth-most Conn Smythe bets since the end of Game 6. He stands at -3500 there now after starting at +225 before the series and sitting at +2000 at the end of Game 3.
The Conn Smythe is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and has gone to a member of the losing finals team five times. Most recently, Anaheim goaltender Jean Sebastien-Giguere won the award in 2003 after his team lost the Cup to New Jersey.
In addition to Conn Smythe betting, bet365 sportsbook also reported on Monday that 76% of bets have come in on the Edmonton moneyline and 63% of totals bets are on Over 5.5 goals. In addition, 47% of anytime goalscorer bets are on Connor McDavid.
Oilers looking to complete historic comeback on the road
Coming back from a 3-0 deficit is impressive regardless of what round you’re in during the postseason.
But in the Stanley Cup finals? That’s something special.
If Edmonton pulls it off, the Oilers will be the second team to accomplish the feat and the first since Toronto came back against Detroit in 1942.
As mentioned, the Panthers have only scored five goals over their last three games, but they’ll be on their home ice here as they look to avoid becoming known as “that team.”
There is also a little national pride on the line, as the Oilers have a chance to become the first Canadian-based team to win the Cup since 1993
Panthers could use power play boost
Florida’s offensive woes, including five goals over their past three games, stretch back to before the finals.
In the three rounds leading up to this one, the Panthers scored 14 times on 60 power-play chances, a 23.3% clip. Against the Oilers, Florida is just 1 of 19, with the only goal coming in the third period of Game 2.
The Oilers are a faster group, hurting Florida’s ability to capitalize.
In an attempt to spice things up, Vladimir Tarasenko is reportedly moving to the first power-play unit over Carter Verhaeghe, so we’ll see if that helps on Monday.
Oilers’ keys include production from Skinner, staying the course
The Oilers have all the momentum heading into Monday night.
For them to finish the comeback, goaltender Stuart Skinner will likely need to come up big once again and channel the Game 7 energy he had against Vancouver earlier this postseason. Skinner earned the win that night, allowing two goals on 17 attempts in the road victory.
Over the past three games, Skinner has allowed five goals on 86 tries, a save percentage of just over 94%.
The 25-year-old has a chance to help his team to a historic night on Monday.
