NHL Best Bets Today: Expert NHL Picks for 06/09/2025

The Panthers return home with the Stanley Cup Final tied 1-1, where they've been remarkably strong throughout the playoffs. Sergei Bobrovsky has been nearly unbeatable at home, allowing 2 or fewer goals in 5 of his 7 home playoff starts.

Edmonton's Stuart Skinner has struggled on the road, surrendering 3+ goals in 4 of his 6 road playoff appearances. His inconsistency remains a concern despite recent improvements.

Florida has dominated the shot count in both games so far (46-32 in Game 1, 46-42 in Game 2), showing they're controlling play for longer stretches.

The Panthers' defensive unit has proven more reliable than Edmonton's, which should be magnified as the series shifts to a more physical style in Florida.

With home ice advantage and a proven track record of shutting down high-powered offenses, the Panthers are well-positioned to take a 2-1 series lead tonight.

Both offenses have dominated through the first two games, combining for 16 goals in the series so far. The attacking talent on display has been overwhelming for both defensive units.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continue to drive Edmonton's offense, creating high-danger chances on nearly every shift with their elite puck movement and zone entries.

Florida's offensive attack has been equally potent, with Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Carter Verhaeghe consistently finding ways to crash the net and create scoring opportunities.

The Panthers' defensemen, particularly Seth Jones and Nate Schmidt, have been effective joining the rush and creating additional offensive pressure from the point.

With both teams showing they can score in bunches and neither goaltender completely shutting down the opposition, another high-scoring affair seems likely in Game 3.

Sam Bennett has been specifically highlighted as a key offensive threat for the Panthers in Game 3. His aggressive net-front presence makes him particularly dangerous on home ice.

Bennett's style of crashing the net aligns perfectly with how the Panthers have been creating their offense against Edmonton throughout the series.

As the series shifts to Florida, the Panthers will look to establish a more physical forecheck, which plays directly into Bennett's strengths as a power forward.

With Florida's defensemen activating from the point, Bennett is often in prime position to capitalize on rebounds and deflections in the slot area.

The Oilers' defensive structure has shown vulnerability against Florida's offensive zone cycling, giving Bennett plenty of opportunities to find scoring chances.