Stanley Cup Final 2025 Preview — Oilers vs Panthers Prediction

For the 2nd year in a row, it all comes down to the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers.

Last season, the Panthers got the better of Edmonton in the Stanley Cup Final. This year, the Oilers are back with something to prove, but can they skate away with the Cup this time?

Both teams tore through their conferences, survived some of the best teams we’ve seen in a long time, and now only one remains between them and a championship. Florida is aiming for a repeat. Edmonton is out for revenge. That makes for some great hockey.

This rematch isn’t just about unfinished business — it’s a battle between 2 completely different team builds. On one side, you have a high-octane offensive juggernaut in Edmonton, and on the other is a defensively disciplined, goaltending-first Florida group that knows how to grind out wins.

Even the bookmakers feel this series will be close as they have odds of this series with Edmonton taking it -120 compared to Florida’s +100.

Edmonton’s Firepower Is Still Their Biggest Weapon

The Oilers’ offense was the most productive in the playoffs heading into the Final. They’ve scored 4.06 GF/G through 16 games, edging out every other team — even the Panthers. However, that’s no surprise when you look at the names they have driving the offense.

Connor McDavid has once again been in a tier of his own. With 26 points spanning 6 goals and 20 assists in 16 games, he’s driving Edmonton’s pace night after night. He’s undoubtedly getting strong support too. Leon Draisaitl is right behind him with 25 points over 7 goals and 18 assists), while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has chipped in with 18 points of his own.

What’s really interesting is how much depth scoring has kicked in this year. Evan Bouchard, from the back end, has 17 points and behind him, Evander Kane and Zach Hyman have 11 each. Even veterans like Corey Perry and Adam Henrique have chipped in with some meaningful moments to keep this team in contention.

The Oilers’ power play is clicking at a solid 30.0% which is absolutely deadly. They’ve scored 12 power-play goals and are drawing plenty of chances thanks to the pressure their top line generates.

But this is Edmonton we’re talking about — the questions were never about scoring.

Florida Has the Goaltending Edge — Again

Sergei Bobrovsky is having another excellent playoff run and he could easily win it all for this team. He’s played every minute of Florida’s 17 postseason games and has a 2.11 GAA with a .912 SV%. He’s given up only 36 goals on 408 shots and has 3 shutouts. Keep in mind, this is just the playoffs, so these weren’t pushover teams.

The Panthers, as a team, have the top-ranked defense in the playoffs in terms of GA/A at 2.29. That’s not just Bobrovsky — that’s the structure all around him. They limit high-danger chances, clog up the neutral zone, deny shooting lanes, and force mistakes.

Compare that to the Oilers’ situation in net which has been a bit of a juggling act. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have split duties. To be expected, Skinner has played more, with a 2.53 GAA and .904 SV% across 10 games. Pickard has been solid enough during his 7 games with a 2.84 GAA and .888 SV%, but neither goalie is stealing games the way Bobrovsky has.

Team-wise, Edmonton sits 4th in GA/A at 2.81 — which is really not bad, but it’s still a full half-goal worse than Florida. And their team save percentage of .898 ranks lower as well.

That gap in goaltending could matter a lot in a tight series like this one is expected to be.

The Panthers Still Have Balanced Scoring

Florida isn’t as flashy as Edmonton, but they’re deep and disciplined. Aleksander Barkov leads the team with 17 points over 6 goals and 11 assists, followed by Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk with 16 points each.

Sam Bennett’s 10 goals lead the team and his shooting percentage of 19.6% shows how efficient he’s been. Tkachuk and Barkov have created most of the playmaking, with each recording 11 assists throughout the playoffs.

Brad Marchand — a new addition this season — has chipped in with 14 points and a physical edge. Though he’s racked up 46 PIM, he’s also delivered in big moments.

8 Panthers players have 10+ points, compared to just 9 for Edmonton. The biggest difference is, that Florida spreads it out more evenly, while Edmonton leans heavily on their stars.

And don’t sleep on Florida’s special teams. Their power play at 23.2% isn’t as lethal as Edmonton’s, but their PK unit is. At 87.9%, Florida leads all playoff teams in killing off penalties. Edmonton? Just a dismal 66.0%. That’s a huge gap. In a close series, a couple of power-play goals — or kills — could swing momentum fast and the series could get away from them.

A Familiar Stage, New Stakes

Last year, Florida won this matchup. This time, Edmonton is entering with even more offensive depth, a well-performing top line, and a hunger to rewrite the ending. That could be enough to take out most teams, but Florida isn’t done yet either.

Florida, meanwhile, still leans on a defensive foundation, elite goaltending, and a scoring committee that won’t go quiet. They’ve beaten 3 strong teams — Tampa, Toronto, and Carolina — to get here, and they’ve done it with the same formula that brought them to the Final in 2024. If it’s not broken, then don’t fix it.

Edmonton took out LA, and Vegas, and then dismantled a very good Dallas team in 5 games. That says something about where they are right now. They’re not just winning with offense — they’re handling adversity as well.

Still, the numbers favor Florida when it comes to defending. And defending championships.

Oilers vs Panthers Prediction and Best Bet — Panthers in 7

This is going to be tight. The Oilers have the edge in raw talent and scoring, but the Panthers have more structure, steadier goaltending, and the mental edge of having done it before — against this very team.

Bobrovsky has been better than both Oilers goalies combined. Florida’s PK might neutralize Edmonton’s power play enough to balance the scoring gap. And if it comes down to a Game 7 — which we think it likely will — you want the team with the calmer goalie and tighter system to get the job done.

We are taking Florida to win the series in 7 games at +100. The Panthers repeat as Stanley Cup champs — but this time, the Oilers make them earn every inch.

Oilers vs Panthers Playoff Schedule and Broadcasts