The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers kicked off the 2025 Stanley Cup Final with two electrifying overtime games, setting the stage for a pivotal Game 3 in Florida on Monday. Edmonton clinched Game 1 in overtime, but the Panthers bounced back with a thrilling double overtime win in Game 2, where Florida conceded a late tying goal by Brad Marchand—the latest tie in Stanley Cup Final history. Game 3 is scheduled to start at 8 PM at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.
Currently, Florida is favored at -146 on the money line (bet $146 to win $100), while Edmonton is considered the underdog at +123 (bet $100 to win $123). The over/under for total goals is set at 6.5, with the Panthers at -1.5 (+165) on the puck line. Before placing bets on the Panthers vs. Oilers, fans are encouraged to check out the latest NHL predictions and prop picks from Sportsline’s trusted models.
The Sportsline Projection model, which simulates NHL games 10,000 times, has proven successful during the playoffs, combining an 80-56 record in pack line and over/under bets and generating over $1,600 on $100 bets. The model’s top picks for Monday’s game are the Oilers covering the +1.5 puck line at -202 and the total goals going under 6.5 at -125.
In last year’s Stanley Cup Final, these teams went through a grueling seven-game series, and the close overtime results in the first two games of this year’s final reflect that intense rivalry. The Oilers have covered the 1.5 goal spread in 15 of their last 16 postseason games, and the model predicts they will cover it again in more than 70% of simulations, especially after outshooting Florida in the first two games.
Despite the offensive outbursts in the opening periods of the first two games (three goals in Game 1’s first period and five in Game 2’s), both coaches are expected to tighten their defenses for Game 3, making the under 6.5 goals bet attractive. Bets on under 6.5 goals are currently listed at -115 on BETMGM Sportsbook, where new users get a bonus bet up to $1,500 if the first wager loses.
For those interested in more NHL betting insights, Sportsline offers robust models with solid picks for Game 3 of the Panthers vs. Oilers series.
Fan Take: This thrilling start to the Stanley Cup Final showcases the incredible parity and excitement in today’s NHL, promising edge-of-your-seat action for hockey fans. The close matchups and strategic adjustments signal that this series could become a classic, energizing the fanbase and elevating the sport’s national profile.
