Not sure I've gotten a Panthers road game right in these playoffs, so tread carefully. But think the loss of Zach Hyman for the Oilers will really hurt against mega-physical Florida -- and it got even more pest-worthy after acquiring Brad Marchand, who wasn't around for the 2024 Final. His entire series mission will be to try and force Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl into a stupid retaliation penalty. Marchand has a history of licking guys' faces(!) to get a power play. He's the Bill Laimbeer (just vomited a little in my mouth) of the Panthers. Rooting for the Oilers in the series but have take +1 on the champs, who have won five straight road games -- all by multiple goals.

There is a bit different vibe about the Panthers this postseason,, much to do with scorelines. Recent evidence suggests we are unlikely to see a repeat of Florida's lower-scoring 3-0 win in the opener last June, as all three preceding rounds for Florida have featured over results in Game Ones. The Panthers hit the finals on an uncommonly hot stretch of goal scoring, netting five or more in five of their last six playoff games. Note, too, the regular-season meetings between these two featured 11 and 7 goals, respectively, as neither Sergei Bobrovsky not Stuart Skinner could shine in goal. With McDavid & Draisaitl the other way, there is plenty of firepower on the ice to clear six goals in the opener. Play Panthers-Oilers Over

Home-ice edge has been an overrated angle in Florida playoff games. Why? the Panthers have opened all three rounds on the road and are 8-2 as a visitor in this postseason, so Game One in Edmonton should not prove a bother. The biggest advantages for Florida this postseason have come with some tweaks around the edges by shrewd GM Bill Zito, whose deadline adds of Seth Jones (liberated from Chicago) and Brad Marchand (out of Boston) added bite and depth to the defense and third lines, respectively. The absence of key cog Zach Hyman might prove a negative for the Oilers, too. Moreover, can Stuart Skinner outplay Sergei Bobrovsky in the nets and give Edmonton a better chance at revenge? Play Panthers on Money Line