NHL Best Bets Today: Expert NHL Picks for 06/12/2025

The defending champion Panthers looked dominant in Game 3, crushing Edmonton 6-1 at home and exposing serious flaws in the Oilers' road performance.

Edmonton appeared completely rattled in Florida, taking 15 minor penalties with Evander Kane alone collecting three minors and a game misconduct.

The Panthers have momentum after the blowout win and should benefit from playing again at Amerant Bank Arena where they clearly established a psychological edge.

Stuart Skinner was pulled after allowing five goals in Game 3, raising concerns about his consistency after similar struggles earlier in the playoffs against Los Angeles.

With two full days off between games, Florida should be refreshed while Edmonton might still be reeling from their lopsided loss, giving the Panthers a clear path to pushing the series to 3-1.

Despite their brutal Game 3 showing, the Oilers have displayed remarkable offensive firepower throughout the playoffs with 74 total goals.

Edmonton's star power can't be overlooked, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl likely to respond with urgency after being thoroughly outplayed in the previous matchup.

The Oilers' defensive unit led by Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm should be better prepared to create turnovers and limit Florida's scoring opportunities after having two full days to adjust their approach.

Stuart Skinner, despite being pulled in Game 3, has shown resilience throughout these playoffs and tends to bounce back strong after poor performances.

Edmonton has consistently proven their ability to win crucial road games during this playoff run, and the pressure of potentially facing a 3-1 deficit should spark their best performance of the series.

Both teams have shown their offensive capabilities throughout this series, with the Panthers exploding for six goals in Game 3 and the Oilers having tallied nine goals across the three games.

The Oilers boast elite offensive talent with McDavid and Draisaitl, who are known for their ability to create high-danger scoring chances on the rush and through effective puck movement.

Florida's forwards, including Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, have excelled at carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating quality scoring opportunities with quick passes.

The defensive adjustments both teams need to make might take a backseat to their offensive game plans, especially for Edmonton who needs to score their way back into the series.

With the Oilers likely to push the pace and the Panthers happy to trade chances while playing with confidence at home, this matchup has all the ingredients for another high-scoring affair.