The Edmonton Oilers look to extend their lead to 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final after a remarkable comeback win in overtime during Game 1 on Wednesday. They successfully rallied from a two-goal deficit to secure the victory. Leon Draisaitl, who finished the regular season as the NHL`s top goal-scorer with 52, netted his second goal of the night on a perfectly executed pass from Connor McDavid, giving the Oilers the early series advantage in the best-of-seven matchup.
Following losses in their initial two playoff games, the Oilers have demonstrated impressive form, winning 13 of their subsequent 15 contests as they head into the pivotal Game 2 on Friday.
Puck drop for Game 2 is scheduled for Friday night at 8 p.m. ET at Rogers Place in Edmonton. According to the latest betting odds, the Oilers are favored at -128 (bet $128 to win $100), while the Panthers are listed as underdogs at +108 (bet $100 to win $108).
SportsLine expert Eric Cohen has provided his insights and predictions for this crucial game. Cohen is a respected analyst for SportsLine and an *Early Edge* personality, known for his successful picks across various sports, including recently identifying two golf tournament winners and ranking among the top college football experts on the site. As a versatile handicapper, Cohen has also expressed confidence in the Oilers winning the series outright, placing a bet on them at -120 odds.
Eric Cohen`s Top Picks for Panthers vs. Oilers Game 2:
- Oilers Moneyline (-128)
- Under 6.5 Total Goals (-125)
- Connor McDavid to Score a Goal (+155)
- Score Prediction: Oilers 3, Panthers 2
Cohen`s Analysis:
Cohen`s analysis suggests that Edmonton was the stronger team for the majority of Game 1 and could have potentially won by a larger margin, highlighted by their significant advantage in shots on goal (46-32). While acknowledging the strength of the reigning champions, he notes the Oilers` current offensive momentum is formidable. Edmonton boasts a strong 7-1 home record this season, leading Cohen to doubt they will suffer their second home defeat on Friday. He concedes the Panthers have a goaltending advantage with Sergei Bobrovsky over Stuart Skinner, but believes the Oilers have the edge in momentum and the support of their home crowd, especially after Florida allowed a 3-1 lead to slip away in the second period of Game 1. Cohen expects the Oilers to establish an early lead and hold on for a narrow victory, securing a 2-0 series advantage. He also sees value in betting on Connor McDavid to score at any point in the game, based on the +155 odds.
Supporting this analysis, the expert model that informs Cohen`s picks has demonstrated a solid track record, entering the 2025 Stanley Cup Final with a combined record of 80-56 on top-rated NHL puck-line and over/under betting selections.
