The Panthers didn’t show up in Edmonton for Game 4, but that won’t stop South Florida from throwing a party if they win Game 5.
Florida is just a slight -135 home favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook with a chance to clinch a gentleman’s sweep in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Oilers dominated Game 4 behind their star-studded duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, earning an 8-1 win.
McDavid and Draisaitl combined for five assists Saturday in the lop-sided win.
They have a chance to make things interesting in Game 5 with the opportunity to send things back to Edmonton.
Oilers vs. Panthers Game 5 prediction
(8 p.m. ET, ABC)
According to Money Puck, the Oilers should have won three games based on advanced stats.
Edmonton ranks very well analytically, as it had a 63.3 percent chance to win Game 1, followed by 28.3 percent in Game 2, 91.1 percent in Game 3 and 82.5 percent for Game 4.
However, the Oilers are down, 3-1, and things aren’t going to be easy if they want to rally.
For one, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was chased from Game 4 after allowing five goals on 23 shots. Don’t expect that to happen again.
Moreover, Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, who was dominant in Game 4 when he stopped 32 of 33 shots, has just a 89.8 percent save rate.
If he can stay dominant, it would be a good spot for the Oilers to send the series back home to Edmonton.
It’s just a bit too much to expect Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk to continue their poor offensive play going into Game 5.
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Florida should be able to close this one out in style.
Bet the Panthers up to -142 before you wait for a live spot to grab them.
PICK: Panthers ML (-135, BetMGM)