Following an exciting Game 1, the 2025 Stanley Cup Final series between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers continues. Edmonton secured the initial victory and holds a 1-0 lead as the series heads into Game 2 on Friday night. The question now is whether the Oilers can extend their lead before the teams travel across the continent to South Florida, or if the Florida Panthers will bounce back to even the series.
Series Outlook and Statistics
After their Game 1 win, the Edmonton Oilers are now favored to win the Stanley Cup. According to betting odds, Edmonton is listed at -225, while Florida`s odds have adjusted to +185. In the race for the Conn Smythe Trophy (awarded to the playoff MVP), Connor McDavid of the Oilers is the current favorite at -175. He is followed by Florida`s Sergei Bobrovsky (+375), Edmonton`s Leon Draisaitl (+450), and Florida`s Aleksander Barkov (+1000).
Historically, winning Game 1 in a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final gives a significant advantage, with the winner going on to claim the series 76% of the time (65-20 record). This trend includes the last four finals and ten of the most recent thirteen.
In Game 1, the Oilers recorded 46 shots on goal, which is their highest total ever in a Stanley Cup Final game, surpassing their previous record of 43 set in Game 7 against the Philadelphia Flyers in 1987.
The Florida Panthers have demonstrated strong road performance this postseason, scoring 51 goals away from home. This sets a new record for road goals in a single Stanley Cup playoffs, exceeding the 49 goals scored by the 1993 Los Angeles Kings. They are also the only team in NHL history to score three or more goals in nine consecutive road games during a single postseason run.
Leon Draisaitl, who did not score during the previous Cup Final appearance for the Oilers, scored his third overtime goal of this postseason in Game 1. This ties the single-postseason record held by Mel Hill (1939), Maurice Richard (1951), Corey Perry (2017), and Matthew Tkachuk (2023).
Defenseman Mattias Ekholm`s goal in Game 1 made him the 20th different Oilers player to score this postseason. This figure is tied for the third most distinct scorers in a single playoff year in Stanley Cup history, just one shy of the record held by the 2019 Boston Bruins and the 1987 Flyers.
Stuart Skinner`s win in Game 1 was his 26th career playoff victory, moving him past Bill Ranford into second place all-time for Oilers goaltenders. He now trails only Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr, who had 74 playoff wins.
For Florida, Sam Bennett scored his 11th and 12th goals this postseason. This surpasses the Panthers` single-postseason record previously held by Matthew Tkachuk in 2023 and Carter Verhaeghe in 2024. Notably, eleven of Bennett`s goals have come on the road, tying the all-time single-postseason record for road goals set by Mark Scheifele in 2018.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 42 saves in the losing effort in Game 1. This is the second-highest save total by a Panthers goaltender in a Stanley Cup Final game, behind John Vanbiesbrouck`s 55 saves in Game 4 of the 1996 Final against the Colorado Avalanche (a game that went to triple overtime).
Leading Scorers
Connor McDavid
C, Edmonton Oilers
GP: 17 | G: 6 | A: 22
Sam Bennett
C, Florida Panthers
GP: 18 | G: 12 | A: 6
Betting Insights for Game 2
Here are some potential bets for Game 2:
Sergei Bobrovsky over 24.5 total saves (-110): Given the high volume of shots from Edmonton in Game 1 (46 total), Bobrovsky was busy, stopping 33 in regulation and 9 in overtime. With the Oilers likely to come out firing again at home, Bobrovsky is expected to face plenty of shots. He only needs 25 saves to hit the over on this total.
Eetu Luostarinen over 3.5 total hits (-134): The physical forward has been averaging 4.6 hits per game across 16 full playoff games. He logged over 21 minutes in Game 1, indicating he is fit and ready to play his rugged style. Teammate Sam Bennett is the only Panther with more hits. After seeing Oilers forward Evander Kane register nine hits in the opener, Luostarinen might have extra motivation. Look for him to be heavily involved physically.
Corey Perry over 0.5 total points (Even): While his point streak is currently at three games, the veteran Corey Perry has benefited from playing on the top line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl due to Zach Hyman`s injury. At 40 years old, he`s positioned to continue contributing offensively while playing alongside the team`s stars.
