We could see something tonight that we have not seen in 26 years. The last time there was a sweep in the Stanley Cup Finals was 1998, but the Panthers could accomplish that tonight. Let’s analyze this game and tell you how you should bet in Game 4.
Saturday's Best NHL Bet
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Florida Panthers (-102) at Edmonton Oilers (-115) | O/U 5.5 (+100/-120)
The Oilers were the closest they've been in any game to grabbing a win. Even being down three goals into the third period, they fought back and got within one. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, as Florida is one win away from their first Stanley Cup title.
Edmonton made adjustments on the offensive side that proved to work. Florida plays a pressured-man defense, making it difficult to pass the puck at the high point. One part of that defense where they are left vulnerable is on the corners, and that's where Edmonton was controlling the puck, and they would sometimes pass it back up and find an open shot, like the Ryan McLeod goal. They also did much better at getting second and third chances at the net and making Sergei Bobrovsky work, something they struggled with in the first two games.
If the Oilers have any chance of staging a comeback, their top guys must start getting it going. Zach Hyman and Leon Draisaitl have not scored any points in this series and collectively have a -2 plus/minus. Connor McDavid does have three assists but has yet to score a goal. These are the guys who got you there and were the point leaders coming into this series. We're seeing that the supporting cast isn't doing enough.
The Oilers' defense is not good enough to contain the Panthers' forward talent, and it was obvious again in Game 3. When the Panthers cleared the puck, they were getting one-on-one and two-on-one opportunities in their offensive zone, and Aleksander Barkov got his goal on a breakaway.
Stuart Skinner is frustrating because he could look incredible at times but then makes some costly mistakes, including that Vladimir Tarasenko goal where Skinner mishandled the puck behind the net and couldn't get back into position. You cannot give this veteran group of players those easy opportunities because they will take advantage of it.
It's tough to see the Oilers playing a complete game in which they score and contain the Panthers. They should get the offense going quicker, but they won't have an answer to Florida's offense. You could definitely see this game going over again.
Pick: Over 5.5 (+100)
