Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers Pick and Prediction – June 21, 2024

FLORIDA PANTHERS VS. EDMONTON OILERS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTION – June 21, 2024 — Are the Oilers actually going to pull off the reverse sweep? Something has gone seriously wrong with Florida in the past two games, which have barely resembled what we saw in the first three. And now the Oilers have a chance to become just the third team in Stanley Cup Finals history to go down 0-3 and live to see Game 7.

And yet…there’s reason for optimism for the Panthers. For one, Florida still has two shots at this, and Edmonton has to be perfect again. For another, the Panthers turned the tables in Game 5. Much like Edmonton used Game 3’s third period as a springboard to Game 4, Florida has the chance to do it in Game 6.

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The Oilers held a 4-1 lead and seemed on course to blow the Panthers out of the building. But Florida clawed back to 4-3 before an empty-netter finished off the game. Edmonton built off a similar comeback in Game 3 to obliterate Florida in Game 4, and the Panthers now have a reminder that they can control this series when they play their game.

On the other hand, Connor McDavid is now rolling. He’s the toughest player to control in the world when he’s on, and he’s on in a big way. If he continues to play the way he has through this postseason, it might not matter if Florida is back to being itself.

The Odds

Puck Drop

When: Friday, June 19 at 8 p.m. EST

Where: Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 

TV: ABC

Public Bets: 71% on Edmonton

Public Money: 58% on Edmonton

Odds courtesy of DraftKings, as of June 21st, 2024

Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers In-Season Trends

The Oilers finally turned the tables and won a high-scoring game. Florida got to three, but it didn’t matter because Edmonton has won the way it did in the regular season. The Oilers have scored 13 goals in their two wins after getting four in the three losses.

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Matching totals to results has been a great way to maximize results in this series. When the Panthers have won, the under is 2-1. When the Oilers have won, the over has cashed both times. However, desperation has been a theme for the past three games. With both sides now feeling it, a low total might not be the right move.

Players to Watch

Matthew Tkachuck finally arrived in Game 5. Admittedly, his sense of timing was terrible given that Edmonton already had the game won, but getting him back on track could be huge for Florida. When Tkachuk is scoring, the Panthers present a much stiffer challenge.

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Connor McDavid remains otherworldly after doing little in the first three games. If he’s going to continue to play like this, the Panthers have to raise their game. The Oilers have the one player capable of winning a series almost by himself, and he’s playing some of the best hockey of his career. Florida has to find a way to slow him down.

The Pick

I’ve backed the Panthers two games in a row, and that didn’t come close to working out. But I’m going to go back to them here because their star has faded a bit. This Florida team seems to do its best work when it’s not getting the attention.

Last year, the Panthers were dismissed in three straight series, then got the spotlight on them against Vegas and wilted. This time, Florida has been much more focused and mature. But this team still hasn’t shown its best under the bright lights. Now Edmonton is getting the attention again. That’s just how Florida likes it.