The Stanley Cup Final hangs in the balance as the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers clash in a pivotal Game 5 with the series deadlocked at 2-2 following Edmonton's dramatic overtime comeback in Game 4.
The Panthers aim to regain momentum behind their potent offense that has tallied 18 goals in the series, while the Oilers look to ride the hot hand of backup goaltender Calvin Pickard who sparked their rally after replacing the starter.
With Rogers Place expected to be electric, this showdown features the star power of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl against Florida's balanced attack led by Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett in what could be the series-defining contest.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers matchup, our predictive model gives the Oilers a 54% chance of defeating the Panthers.
Edmonton Oilers: 54% win probability
- Explosive offense (277 goals scored, tied for 3rd highest in the Western Conference)
- Strong home-ice advantage (6th place finish in the competitive Western Conference)
- Positive momentum (WLWWW recent form with 3 wins in their last 4 games)
Florida Panthers: 46% win probability
- Inconsistent recent performance (LLWWW form with alternating results)
- Road game disadvantage (facing a strong Western Conference opponent on their home ice)
- Defensive vulnerability (223 goals against, placing them in the middle of the Eastern Conference defensively)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts.
Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Best NHL sportsbook promos
Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers preview
The Stanley Cup Final heads back to Rogers Place for a pivotal Game 5 with the series deadlocked at 2-2 after Edmonton's stunning comeback in Game 4, where they rallied from a three-goal deficit to win 5-4 in overtime.
Florida's high-powered offense has been impressive throughout the series, netting 18 goals across four games behind the stellar play of Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett, who have combined for five goals and six assists.
The Oilers counter with their own offensive firepower led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who have registered four goals and nine assists between them while showing why they're considered the most dangerous duo in hockey.
Goaltending could be the X-factor on Saturday night with Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky (.914 career save percentage) looking to bounce back while Edmonton turns to Calvin Pickard, who sparked their Game 4 comeback by stopping 29 of 31 shots in relief.
Special teams continue to play a crucial role as both squads boast power play success rates above 23% during the regular season, with the Panthers converting twice on the man advantage in Game 4 despite the loss.
With both defenses struggling to contain opposing shooters, expect another high-scoring affair as these offensive juggernauts battle for control of a series that has already delivered more drama than fans could have hoped for.
Betting on the NHL?
Sporting Post is your trusted guide for NHL betting. We offer expert NHL predictions, top NHL picks, and the latest NHL odds. Our analysis and real-time insights help you make smart, confident bets. Make sure to use the best sportsbooks, sports betting apps, and betting sites. We've reviewed and tested the best NHL betting sites here.