The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers play Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday night. The game will be held at Rogers Place in Edmonton, with puck drop scheduled for 8:00 PM ET. Edmonton leads the series 1-0 after a 4-3 overtime win in Game 1.
Florida had a 3-1 lead early in the second period but could not hold on. Edmonton outshot Florida 14-2 in the third and won it in overtime. This is a rematch of last year’s final, which went seven games. Both teams finished third in their division during the regular season.
Oilers Preview – Strong Start at Home
Edmonton is 7-1 at home in the playoffs. They came back again in Game 1, winning in overtime thanks to Leon Draisaitl’s goal. It was their fourth third-period comeback win of the postseason.
Draisaitl scored twice and now has 50 career playoff goals. Connor McDavid had two assists, including on the game-winner. The Oilers are now 4-0 in playoff overtimes this season and continue to find ways to win close games.
Defenseman Mattias Ekholm tied the game in the third. The team outshot Florida by a wide margin late in the game. Edmonton has shown it can rally and stay composed under pressure.
Panthers Preview – Trying to Bounce Back
Florida gave up a lead and lost in overtime in Game 1. They had won 29 straight playoff games when leading after two periods before the loss. The Panthers will try to even the series before heading home.
Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe lead the attack. Verhaeghe has been a top shooter, playing on the top power play and getting lots of ice time. He had a strong possession rate in Game 1 despite the loss.
Florida has experience coming back from tough spots. They erased a 2-0 series hole earlier in the playoffs. Now they will need another response on the road against a hot Oilers team.
Betting Prediction
Edmonton is a small favorite at -124, with Florida at +110. The total is set at 6.0 goals. Both teams are good offensively, but the Oilers’ home record and late-game play have been the difference.
Florida may push harder early after losing a lead in Game 1. But Edmonton’s top players are making key plays. Predicted score is Edmonton 4, Florida 2. The Oilers should cover the spread if it’s around -1.5 or win straight up if it’s a pick’em.
Pick: Oilers -124
This should be a great game. Edmonton could put a stranglehold early on the series. Look for a fun game, and in the end, going to take the Oilers.
