Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Florida Panthers hosting the Edmonton Oilers in this possibly Cup-clinching Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final series. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers
Series Head-to-Head: Oilers 2-2 Panthers
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TNT, TruTV, CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS, Max
The Stanley Cup will be in the building and the Panthers have a chance to make history. This round of NHL predictions takes a look at Game 6 of the Final between the Oilers and Panthers. Florida made a big step towards repeating as Stanley Cup champion. It was a dominant performance in Game 5 as the Panthers downed the Oilers,
Edmonton rolled the dice with Calvin Pickard, but it came up empty. One wonders what head coach Kris Knoblauch will be doing when it comes to picking his netminder. Decisions like that will either force a winner-take-all Game 7 or see a repeat champion.
Let’s take a look at the stats, storylines and matchups heading into Game 6 in this round of NHL Predictions.
The Oilers Story
Edmonton had plenty of momentum after Leon Draisaitl bagged the overtime-winner in Game 4. However, Florida came out firing and scored the first three goals of the game. The Oilers have shown a penchant for bouncing back, but that theory will be tested in Sunrise.
Pickard had been unbeaten prior to Game 5, but his early struggles doomed the Oilers. Edmonton could go back to the streaky Stuart Skinner in goal. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy goalie choice.
Draisaitl has been clutch this series, but Connor McDavid needs to step up in order to force a Game 7 on home soil. The team could really be feeling the loss Zach Hyman at this point in the series.
The Panthers Story
Game 6 could be a coronation as the Panthers have a chance to be the first repeat winner since the Tampa Bay Lightning won back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021. Sam Bennett and Marchand have been playing a game of one-upmanship and could be in the mix to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. However, the job is not done yet.
Sergei Bobrovsky has been steady for the most part in this series. He did have consecutive 40-plus save performances in the opening two games of the series. The Panthers have no question marks in goal.
Florida’s depth has been the story of this post-season. The Panthers have 11 different players with at least 12 points going into this key Game 6.
Prediction
The Oilers should come out firing with everything on the line in this one. It will be critical to see if the Panthers can weather the storm. However, Florida has been through the wars and should hoist the vaunted silver chalice at the end of the night.
Prediction: Panthers win 5-3.
Prop Bets of the Night
We finish out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for this game is once again 6.5 and we like the over because it’s hit in all five games so far.
As for individual props, go with Evan Bouchard to get a power-play point for the Oilers. As for the Panthers, take Matthew Tkachuk to score a goal. If you want a Conn Smythe prop, take Marchand to win the award.
Main photo by: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Stanley Cup Final Game 6 Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.