The Florida Panthers are presented with a historic opportunity as they stand on the brink of clinching their first-ever Stanley Cup. The atmosphere is set to be electric at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla., where Game 7 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final will decide their fate. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET, and anticipation is at an all-time high.
On the other side of the ice, the Edmonton Oilers are no strangers to this stage. With five Stanley Cup championships under their belt, the Oilers aim to add a sixth to their storied franchise history. Their extensive playoff experience means they won't easily be daunted by the Panthers' home-ice advantage.
Panthers' Journey
The Panthers have had a rollercoaster series, winning the first three games before dropping the next three. Their postseason campaign has been marked by a 15-8 record, showcasing resilience and grit. Despite losing the first two Stanley Cup Final series in franchise history, this current team, led by standout performances, has shown they can defy expectations.
Carter Verhaeghe has been a pivotal player for the Panthers, contributing 10 goals and nine assists over 23 postseason games. Verhaeghe's regular-season performance was equally impressive, netting 34 goals and tallying 38 assists. Alongside Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell has also proved crucial, with four assists in the series and a total of three goals and 13 assists throughout the playoffs. Lundell's regular-season stats include 13 goals and 22 assists over 78 games, underlining his consistent form.
Oilers' Offensive Prowess
Edmonton's path to Game 7 has been powered by their dynamic duo, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid has been virtually unstoppable, amassing 42 points through eight goals and 34 assists in the postseason. His recent performances include scoring twice and assisting on two goals in Game 5, and netting a goal along with three assists in Game 4. McDavid's playmaking and goal-scoring abilities have been instrumental for the Oilers.
Leon Draisaitl has complemented McDavid perfectly, recording 10 goals and 21 assists in the playoffs. His contributions in the Western Conference Finals, where he scored two goals and made two assists, as well as his second-round performances against Vancouver, where he scored three goals and notched nine assists, highlight his importance to the team. Draisaitl's regular-season achievements were equally stellar, with 106 points from 41 goals and 65 assists over 81 games.
Odds and Betting Insights
The betting odds reflect the evenly matched nature of this final showdown. The Panthers, a slight favorite, are priced at -111, while the Oilers are not far behind at -109. The over/under for total goals is set at 5.5, indicating that both teams have potent offenses capable of lighting up the scoreboard. Notably, the game total has gone under in 28 of Edmonton's last 43 away games and 55 of their last 90 games, which could be an important factor for bettors to consider.
What to Expect
With such evenly matched teams, Game 7 promises to be a thrilling finale to the 2024 NHL season. Will the Panthers, with their newfound resilience and home-ice fervor, finally hoist the Stanley Cup? Or will the experienced Oilers, driven by their star players, once again reign supreme? As the clock ticks down to game time, fans from both sides can expect a fierce contest where every shift might be the difference between triumph and heartbreak.