Ryan Hodges
Arguably the most bittersweet night in the NHL’s calendar every year is upon us. It is very bitter in that it marks the start of the final series of the year. But it is very sweet in that the hockey world is about to be treated to what could be an all-time Stanley Cup Final. The stage is set for a fantastic rematch between the Panthers and Oilers. These teams delivered a dramatic, entertaining Final last year. Entering this one, given how great these teams look, how they got here, and the ‘Revenge or Repeat’ storyline, this has all the makings of a classic. To add even more fuel to the fire, I’ve pieced together my Panthers vs Oilers Same Game Parlay picks for tonight’s Game 1 at +525 odds. You can also get our NHL picks for this matchup and every game throughout the Stanley Cup Finals.
Oilers -1.5 (+180)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins anytime goalscorer (+240)
Panthers vs Oilers Same Game Parlay odds: +525
We recommend using Fanatics Sportsbook to secure the best odds on our Panthers vs Oilers Same Game Parlay, where new users can click here to sign up now and secure $300 in bonus bets INSTANTLY when they make their first $30 wager!
Edmonton Oilers -1.5 over Florida Panthers (+180)
In what feels like it could truly be a coin-toss series, things look a little bit better for the Oilers in Game 1. Edmonton enters this Stanley Cup Final in phenomenal form. They have won 12 of their last 14 games, as well as 9 of their last 11 games played at home. That kind of run is impressive as is in the NHL. But it is made even more impressive considering that in those 14 games, they went through a gauntlet of Los Angeles, Vegas and Dallas. To win those series in 7 games would have been impressive, let alone having won in such dominant fashion.
Granted, picking the Oilers to win by multiple goals may feel a bit like going out on a limb. But so too would have been beating the Stars by multiple goals in 4 straight games. The Oilers are just buzzing right now. They are focused and highly motivated, potentially even more so after last year’s gut-wrenching Game 7 loss to the Panthers. It won’t be remotely surprising if the Panthers are, well, the Panthers. But the Oilers have not exactly limped their way to this point. They faced arguably tougher opponents to get to this point than the Panthers faced, and won in even more dominant fashion. Being at home, having scar tissue from last year, being rested and being in great form all bode well for the Oilers. They are too tough to fade in this spot and have nice value to cover a 1.5-goal puck line.
Find out our Panthers vs Oilers best bet for tonight’s Game 1 – our experts have a 74-48 record with their best bets this season!
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins anytime goalscorer (+240)
In Edmonton’s current run of 6 consecutive postseason berths, they have largely been bested due to being too top-heavy. In other words, it has been Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, then everyone else on the team. That is not the case this year, though. Edmonton is getting huge contributions up and down their lineup, which has helped propel them to the Stanley Cup Finals. A key contributor for the Oilers thus far on this run has been Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. In 16 games played in these playoffs, Nugent-Hopkins has tallied 5 goals and 18 points. That production is a nice step up from his regular-season numbers, which weren’t near a point per game as he collected 20 goals and 49 points in 78 games played.
Nugent-Hopkins picking up his game in the playoffs is nothing new for the Oilers. This is a guy who, in the last 6 years of Edmonton playoff runs, has scored 22 goals and collected 75 points in 77 postseason games played. Nugent-Hopkins has played a key role on the Oilers throughout their recent playoff runs and this year has been no exception. He, among other contributing Oilers, figures to be a key player once again in this series.
Unsurprisingly, McDavid and Draisaitl log the most minutes among Edmonton forwards. But the next most relied on forward is Nugent-Hopkins, with over 19 minutes of ice-time logged per game in these playoffs. He has rewarded his coaches and teammates for relying on him by producing. Nugent-Hopkins’ play has earned him time on the top line and top power play with the best players in the world. Taking him to score at +240 has appeal.
Read our full 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Finals series predictions for Panthers vs Oilers, featuring a pick at +200 odds!
