The Stanley Cup Final moves north of the border with the series shifting to Edmonton for Game 3 between the Oilers and Panthers on Thursday night.
Despite scoring on their first shot in Game 2, the Oilers found themselves in an 0-2 hole after a three-goal third period − including two from center Evan Rodrigues − propelled the Panthers to a 4-1 victory Monday night.
Only two teams have rallied from being down 2-0 to win the Stanley Cup, the most recent coming in 2011 when the Boston Bruins ended a near four-decade title drought with a Game 7 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
If Edmonton falls in Game 3, the Oilers would be attempting to become just the second team (1942 Toronto Maple Leafs) to overcome a 3-0 deficit and win the Stanley Cup.
Can the Oilers cut the series lead to 2-1, or will the Panthers be on the precipice of their first Stanley Cup in franchise history?
Here’s our betting breakdown for the spread, total and moneyline for Game 3:
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Panthers vs Oilers puck line: Panthers +1.5 (-235), Oilers -1.5 (+205)
After the Oilers came out and dominated play in Game 1, it was a complete reverse in Game 2.
Even though the score was tied at 1-1 after the second period, the Panthers had 22 shots on goal (17 all of Game 1) and limited Edmonton to just seven SOG through the first 40 minutes.
If there was ever a time for the Oilers to cover the puck line, it has to be now.
Between being back on home ice and the pressure of knowing what lies ahead if they go down 0-3 in the series, I believe we get a truly dominant performance from the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and company to keep their hopes alive of lifting the Cup.
If you’re on the same side and expect big things from Edmonton, there’s tremendous value on the organization to cover the spread in Game 3.
Nearly every sportsbook in New Jersey has the Oilers at 2/1 odds to win by multiple goals, with Caesars Sportsbook coming in at +205 (Bet $100 to win $205) for Edmonton at -1.5 on the puck line.
Prediction: Oilers -1.5 (+205)
Panthers vs Oilers total: Over 5.5 goals (-104), Under 5.5 goals (-115)
For Game 2, I mentioned how wagering on the over was tempting given the low bar and how profitable these two teams are at finding the back of the net.
While we had the highest-scoring game of the series so far (five goals), the total still stayed below the 5.5 line.
With that being said, expect there to be even more goals in Game 3.
Yes, it’s true that neither team has had high-scoring contests dating back to the start of the conference finals.
However, the Oilers have had higher outcomes when at home, with six or more goals scored in three of their last four games at Rogers Place.
The biggest concern with this total going under is Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner has allowed two or fewer goals since the beginning of the second round, which is 12 of his last 14 games.
It might take an empty net to do so, but I’m banking that Game 3 has the best chance to feature one of the highest totals of the series.
Bet on the over 5.5 goals now at -104 (Bet $104 to win $100) on FanDuel Sportsbook as the line has already started to move from even money (+100) leading up to puck drop.
Prediction: Over 5.5 goals (-104)
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Panthers vs Oilers moneyline: Panthers +115 (Bet $100 to win $115), Oilers -132 (Bet $132 to win $100)
It’s eerie how similar the start of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final mirrors the last time the Oilers were in the Final back in 2006 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Not only did the Oilers lose the first two games on the road, they’ve also been outscored by six goals (again) and are facing goalies (Bobrovsky and Cam Ward) who are/were playing their best hockey against them.
Heading into Game 3, Bobrovsky sports a ludicrous .980 save percentage as he’s stopped 50-of-51 shots, including a 32-save shutout performance in Game 1.
McDavid and Draisaitl have yet to have a major impact in this series, with only one point between the two Oilers’ superstars.
That changes in Game 3 as Edmonton finally solves Bobrovksy for three goals, and adds an empty netter late in the third period to give the storied franchise its first win in a Cup Final since June 19, 2006.
FanDuel Sportsbook is the place to go in NJ to bet on the Oilers’ moneyline with a price of -130 (Bet $130 to win $100) to earn the victory in Game 3.
