The Florida Panthers are on the cusp of making history as they face the Edmonton Oilers in a decisive Game 7 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final. This climactic showdown is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
The stakes have never been higher for the Panthers, who are attempting to secure their first-ever Stanley Cup on home ice. After winning the first three games of the series, the Panthers faltered, dropping the next three games in succession. Despite this, they enter the final game with a postseason record of 15-8 and are favored by a slim margin at -111. The over/under for total goals stands at 5.5, hinting at what could be a tightly contested matchup.
Panthers' Past Struggles
The Florida Panthers have not had much success historically in the Stanley Cup Final. This is the third time the franchise has made it to the final series, and they have lost the previous two times. However, the current postseason performances of key players could tip the scale in their favor.
Carter Verhaeghe, a standout performer, has scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in 23 postseason games. During the regular season, Verhaeghe notched 34 goals and 38 assists, indicating his consistency on the ice. Additionally, Anton Lundell has been a vital playmaker for the Panthers, with four assists in this series alone. Over the entire playoffs, Lundell has accumulated three goals and 13 assists, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly to the team's offense. Lundell also put up respectable numbers in the regular season, with 13 goals and 22 assists in 78 games.
Oilers' Legacy and Star Power
The Edmonton Oilers, aiming for their sixth Stanley Cup championship, have their own rich history of success in the league. With five titles already under their belt, Edmonton is narrowly priced at -109, indicating that bookmakers see this final game as almost a toss-up.
Connor McDavid has been nothing short of spectacular this postseason, accumulating 42 points through eight goals and 34 assists. His recent performances have been particularly noteworthy; McDavid scored twice and assisted on two goals in Game 5. In Game 4, he had a similar impact, scoring a goal and adding three assists. Even in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars, McDavid managed to find the back of the net once and assisted on another goal, proving his critical role in the Oilers' playoff run.
Another crucial player for the Oilers has been Leon Draisaitl, who has 10 goals and 21 assists in the playoffs. Draisaitl was instrumental in the Western Conference Finals, scoring two goals and assisting on two more. His consistent output continued in the second round against Vancouver, where he recorded three goals and nine assists. During the regular season, Draisaitl amassed an impressive 106 points, including 41 goals and 65 assists in 81 games.
Game 7: A Battle for Glory
As both teams prepare for Game 7, the air is thick with anticipation. The Florida Panthers will be relying on their home crowd and the momentum from their early series wins to carry them through. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers' experience and the stellar performances of their star players provide them with every chance to claim their sixth Stanley Cup.
The game total has frequently gone under for Edmonton, particularly in away games—28 of their last 43 away contests and 55 of their last 90 games overall have ended below the predicted goal total. This trend could be a crucial factor in a game where both teams are expected to play tight defense.
With everything on the line, this final game is poised to be a thrilling end to an electrifying series. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers leave it all on the ice, each hoping to etch their names into hockey history.