The Edmonton Oilers face a must-win situation in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. Down 2-0 in the series, the Oilers can ill-afford to fall behind 3-0 to the reigning Eastern Conference champs.
Game 3 is set for Thursday, June 13 at 8:00 pm ET, with ESPN and ABC carrying the broadcast in the United States. We ve made our Panthers vs Oilers Game 3 prediction, plus identified the best player props to wager on tonight.
Panthers vs Oilers Game 3 Prediction
The Florida Panthers have taken a 2-0 series lead in the Final after winning Games 1 and 2 in Sunrise. The Oilers’ typically dominant offense has gone quiet, managing just one goal so far. They are also 0/7 on the power play.
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has been outstanding, allowing only one goal on 51 shots faced in the series so far. Goaltending has certainly been the difference, as Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner has struggled with a .889 save percentage, allowing five goals on just 4.34 expected goals against.
Bobrovsky in the finals:
— 50/51 saves
— .980 save percentage
— 3.8 goals saved above expected
Does a cup put Bobrovsky above Luongo in Panthers history?
Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky)
The biggest storyline heading into Game 3 is the status of Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. He left Game 2 in the third period with an undisclosed injury after taking a high hit from Draisaitl and did not return. Barkov is officially listed as questionable for Game 3. His absence would be a massive blow to Florida.
The Oilers have been a different team offensively at home in the playoffs, averaging 4.00 goals per game at Rogers Place compared to just 2.55 on the road. However, Florida is 6-2 on the road and has scored at least two goals in seven of those eight contests.
The Oilers power play is due for positive regression, and Bobrovsky’s .980 save percentage isn’t sustainable. We have , but with their backs against the wall on home ice, the Oilers are the smart bet in Game 3.
Stanley Cup Final Game 3 Pick:
Oilers ML (-130 FanDuel best odds)
Panthers vs Oilers Game 3 Odds
