Will Tuesday evening’s matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers be the ultimate recreation of the 2024-25 season? Or will there be another on Friday?
The Panthers lead 3-2 within the 2025 Stanley Cup Last forward of Sport 6 (8 p.m. ET, TNT/Max). In the event that they win, they skate the Cup on dwelling ice. If the Oilers win, Sport 7 is again in Edmonton.
Listed below are notes on the matchup from ESPN Analysis, in addition to betting intel from ESPN BET:
Extra from Sport 5: Recap | Grades
Matchup notes
Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers
Sport 6 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT/Max
With a 3-2 lead forward of Sport 6 on dwelling ice, the Panthers at the moment are -400 favorites to win the Cup and the Oilers are +300; these numbers are adjusted from previous to Sport 5, when each golf equipment have been -110. As for the Conn Smythe Trophy, Sam Bennett stays the chief, however his odds have shifted from +150 to -190. Brad Marchand (+300), Connor McDavid (+700) and Leon Draisaitl (+700) spherical out the highest 4.
The Panthers are in search of to turn into the primary group to repeat as Stanley Cup champions by beating the identical group for the reason that Montreal Canadiens did so towards the Boston Bruins in 1977 and 1978 — for the Habs, these have been titles No. 2 and three of 4 straight earned between 1976 and 1979. A Panthers win can be the fourth Stanley Cup for a group based mostly within the state of Florida this decade (the Tampa Bay Lightning gained in 2020 and 2021).
The Oilers are dealing with elimination for the primary time within the 2025 playoffs. Final yr, they have been 5-1 when dealing with elimination — together with three wins within the 2024 Stanley Cup Last after falling behind 3-0. Street groups dealing with elimination in Sport 6 of the Stanley Cup Last have gone 6-6 up to now 12 occurrences.
Marchand is having an outstanding Stanley Cup Last, scoring six targets so far. That marks probably the most targets in a Cup Last since Esa Tikkanen (1988, additionally six). Marchand is the primary participant to attain 5 or extra targets with a number of groups in a Cup Last, and his 5 highway targets on this sequence are probably the most in a single Cup Last since Jack Adams had six for the Vancouver Millionaires in 1922. With a number of multigoal video games within the Cup Last, Marchand joins Jeff Friesen (New Jersey Devils, 2003) and Max Talbot (2009, Pittsburgh Penguins) as the one gamers to tug off that feat up to now 30 years.
Teammate Sam Bennett can be getting into historic territory. With a objective in Edmonton in Sport 5, he turned the fifth participant in NHL historical past with a streak of six straight highway video games with a objective. He’s additionally the fourth energetic NHL participant to attain 15 targets in a single postseason, becoming a member of Zach Hyman (16, 2024), Alex Ovechkin (15, 2018) and Sidney Crosby (15, 2009).
Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky tied the NHL file for many highway wins in a single postseason (10). The opposite 5 goalies tied atop the record are: Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues, 2019), Braden Holtby (Washington Capitals, 2018), Jonathan Fast (Los Angeles Kings, 2012), Miikka Kiprusoff (Calgary Flames, 2004), Martin Brodeur (Devils, 2000 and 1995).
With three targets on this sequence, Edmonton’s Corey Perry tied Mark Recchi (Bruins, 2011) and Igor Larionov (Detroit Crimson Wings, 2002) for probably the most targets by a participant age 40 or older in a single Cup Last.
McDavid scored some extent in each dwelling recreation he performed for the reason that 4 Nations Face-Off break — a run of 17 straight video games, with 36 factors in that span. He reached 150 playoff factors in 95 video games, the third-fastest participant in NHL historical past to achieve that benchmark, behind Wayne Gretzky (68 video games performed) and Mario Lemieux (86).
With another game-winning objective this sequence, Draisaitl would turn into simply the third participant within the NHL’s trendy period (since 1943-44) — and first since 1977 — to have three recreation winners in a single Stanley Cup Last. The earlier gamers to take action are Jacques Lemaire (1977) and Jean Beliveau (1965 and 1960), each of whom completed the feat for the Canadiens.
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Oilers coach: We have overcome troublesome conditions earlier than
Kris Knoblauch retains religion in his Oilers as he displays on shedding Sport 5 in Edmonton.
Scoring leaders
GP: 22 | G: 15 | A: 7
GP: 21 | G: 11 | A: 22
Greatest bets for Sport 6
Evander Kane over 4.5 whole hits (+107): The Oilers should be extra bodily in the event that they hope to have a reputable shot at pushing this sequence to a Sport 7. Saturday’s group whole of 25 hits, together with solely a pair from Kane, is not going to chop it. An aggressive difference-maker when he is at his greatest at nearing, however not crossing, the road as he has too typically this sequence, the winger will likely be one to look at from the get-go Tuesday. Notably, he registered 17 whole hits via each additional time video games to open this sequence in Edmonton. Win or lose, Kane goes to function an element. Hopefully for the Oilers, not by incomes himself time within the penalty field.
Stuart Skinner below 25.5 whole saves (-120): If Skinner — presuming coach Kris Knoblauch goes together with his No. 1 netminder to begin Sport 6 — struggles, or the remainder of the Oilers fail to carry out effectively sufficient out entrance, he will not final lengthy sufficient within the crease to make 26 saves earlier than all is alleged and finished. The leash will likely be quick on this must-win contest. Or maybe Edmonton’s group protection rises to the event and prevents extra scoring probabilities in assist of their beginning goaltender, because it did in earlier rounds versus Dallas and Vegas.
Connor McDavid first interval anytime goal-scorer (+600): After Leon Draisaitl scored the opener in Sport 1, the Panthers are good in 4 straight video games at catching the again of the web first, outscoring Edmonton 11-4 altogether within the preliminary interval. The Oilers perceive reversing that development would go a good distance in serving to them survive, notably by forcing Florida to sway from their stifling defensive play. Who higher to look to than McDavid, who lastly discovered the again of the web this sequence in Saturday’s shedding effort? The game’s greatest participant must shoot extra, and he is aware of it. He’ll be revved proper as much as make an announcement, early. — Victoria Matiash
