The NHL Stanley Cup Finals are finally upon us, and this year's matchup is set to be an action-packed series between the Florida Panthers from the east and the Edmonton Oilers from the west. With the series looking to be quite a battle, sports bettors are eager to see which team will emerge victorious.
Unlike previous Stanley Cup matchups, this one is a bit tougher to figure out who will win out, but there are some clues.
Here's a comprehensive look at the odds, predictions, and key factors that could determine the outcome of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.
The Florida Panthers enter the Finals as slight favorites with odds of -125, while the Edmonton Oilers are close behind with odds of +105.
This means we’re probably in for a highly competitive series, with the Panthers having a very slight edge. There's nothing wrong with that unless you're a Florida or Edmonton fan. It just means there's more excitement on the ice.
These odds reflect Florida's impressive postseason performance and the experience gained from last year's Finals appearance, where they narrowly missed out on the championship.
The Panthers have been dominant this postseason, boasting a 12-3-2 record and outscoring their opponents 55-39. Though they were hot all season, if there’s any time a team is going to be consistent, the playoffs are the place.
This impressive run highlights their balanced team, which excels both offensively and defensively and does pretty well in the net as well.
Last year, the Panthers lost in the Finals to the Vegas Golden Knights, but this experience seems to have only strengthened their resolve. Led by a solid defensive core and a potent offensive lineup, the Panthers are well-equipped to grab the cup.
The Edmonton Oilers are making their first Finals appearance since 2006, driven by the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
McDavid, widely regarded as the best player in the world (we can’t say we disagree), is seeking his first Stanley Cup.
The Oilers' path to the Finals has been marked by high-scoring games and a relentless and explosive offensive attack. With McDavid and Draisaitl leading the charge, Edmonton's firepower is a significant factor that could swing the series in their favor. They’ve got the potential to overpower Florida’s strong defense.
So, who’s going to win the Stanley Cup? While we have our thoughts, lets look at how it breaks down, first.
Both teams are known for their high-octane offenses. The Panthers' depth scoring has been one of the most significant elements of their success, with multiple players contributing key goals throughout the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Oilers' top-heavy attack, spearheaded by McDavid and Draisaitl, is capable of overwhelming any defense. This clash of offensive titans is expected to result in a high-scoring series with plenty of momentum shifts.
We’re going to tip the scales in favor of Edmonton when it comes to offense.
Goaltending will play a pivotal role in determining the series' outcome, as it typically does in every Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers' netminder, Sergei Bobrovsky, has been steady throughout the playoffs, boasting a .908 save percentage.
For the Oilers, goaltending has been a point of concern at times, but their ability to outscore opponents has often compensated for any defensive lapses. Stuart Skinner is slightly behind Bobrovsky with a .897 save percentage.
Whichever goalie can rise to the occasion and make timely saves will likely give their team the upper hand.
We’re going to give Florida the edge when it comes to keeping the puck out of the pipes, but we really think it’ll be the players outside of the crease that make the most significant factors.
Special teams could be the deciding factor in such a closely matched series. Perhaps not as much as it did in previous matchups, but it’s still there.
The Panthers have demonstrated a strong penalty kill and power play, making them dangerous in special teams situations. They ranked 8th in the NHL with a 23.5% power play rate and killed 82.5% of the penalties, making them 6th.
The Oilers, with their potent power play led by McDavid and Draisaitl, can quickly turn the tide with a man advantage, pending their on the ice. They were 4th in power plays with a 26.3% success rate and a 79.5 penalty kill.
The team that can capitalize on power play opportunities and effectively kill penalties will have a significant edge. Despite this, it’s too close to call on the special teams, so we’ll give this one a tie.
Many experts predict a tightly contested series that could go to six or seven games. We have to agree. Edmonton has an edge with the offense, Florida dominates in the net, and it’s a split with special teams.
The Panthers, with their playoff experience and strong defensive play, hold a slight edge. However, the Oilers' explosive offense, led by McDavid and Draisaitl, provides an X-factor that cannot be ignored. If Edmonton's stars can maintain their scoring dominance, they have a legitimate shot at upsetting the favorites.
So, what’s our prediction?
Edmonton in 7. McDavid wants the cup more than anyone, even though Florida literally tasted it last year.
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The 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals promise to be a captivating series between two talented teams, which makes it really difficult to predict.
The Florida Panthers, with their experience and balanced play, are slight favorites, but the Edmonton Oilers' offensive juggernaut cannot be underestimated. As the series unfolds, we think it’s going to be packed with action-packed moments, high-scoring games, and intense competition.
Whether you're a die-hard hockey fan or a casual viewer, the Finals offer a spectacle that showcases the best of the sport. At the very least, expect this series to dominate sports news for a couple of weeks.