Stuart Skinner – Syndication Server

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The Edmonton Oilers travel to meet the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+). Below, we break down FanDuel Sportsbook’s Stanley Cup Final Game 7 prop bet odds and lines, and tab the 4 best Panthers vs. Oilers prop bets to make among SportsbookWire’s expert NHL picks and predictions.

The roller coaster Stanley Cup Final heads back to South Florida for a decisive Game 7 as the Oilers look for their 6th Stanley Cup title — and first since 1990. The Panthers are hoping the 4th time is a charm in this series, and the 3rd Stanley Cup Final in club history is a charm, looking to lock down their first-ever championship.

We’ve had a wild series. The Panthers fired out to a 3-0 series lead, and it appeared Florida was going to take home the Stanley Cup with a sweep. But the Oilers bowed their backs in Game 4, routing the Panthers 8-1, and then Edmonton has rattled off 3 consecutive wins to force a winner-take-all Game 7.

We have some history to look at, as we’ve had 5 or fewer goals in 14 consecutive Game 7 battles in the Stanley Cup Final since 1950, when the Detroit Red Wings edged the New York Rangers 4-3 in 2OT as Pete Babando etched his name in the NHL history books.

The Stanley Cup has been awarded in South Florida before, as the Colorado Avalanche swept the Panthers in 1996, winning 1-0 in 3OT in Game 4 at the old Miami Arena.

Game 7 picks and predictions

Game 7: Best Oilers at Panthers prop bet picks

Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:20 a.m. ET.

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60 min moneyline 3 way: Tie (+320)

Historically, Game 7s in the Stanley Cup playoffs have been low-scoring, and that’s especially so in the final.

It is expected that nerves will cause both of these teams to struggle to score goals, and high-danger scoring chances should be at a premium.

We’ve had everything in this series, but we have yet to have a game go beyond regulation. This decisive Game 7 has the potential of a 1-1 or 2-2 type game, which goes long into the night before a winner is decided. As such, play a tie in regulation on the 3-way moneyline.

First period total goals: Under 1.5 (-142)

In this series, we’ve had exactly 1 goal scored in the 1st period in 5 of the first 6 games. The lone exception was a 3-1 outburst by the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4, which saw the home side rout the visiting Panthers 8-1.

In Game 7, we should have both sides come out rather tight. We could potentially get a weird bounce or strange goal to break the ice in the 1st period, but it’s extremely unlikely we see more than 1 goal, if any.

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Panthers C Aleksander Barkov to record 3+ shots (-144)

While Barkov, and all offensive players, are likely to struggle to light the lamp, it won’t be from lack of trying.

If there was a bright spot for the Panthers in Game 6 in Edmonton, Barkov was it. He notched a goal with 3 shots on goal. Barkov still has a chance to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the postseason.

Barkov notched 3 shots on goal in Game 6, and he has 19 SOG in the past 6 playoff home games, or an average of 3.3 shots per game. With everything on the line, look for Florida’s hottest offensive player to take the team on his back, while taking plenty of shots in the process.

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Oilers G Stuart Skinner to save first 15+ shots on goal he faces (+190)

Again, goals should be at a premium in this decisive Game 7. Skinner has allowed just 5 goals in the past 3 games, and he has been locked in, giving his team a chance to win. It also helps that the Oilers offense has provided him with plenty of support, after scoring just once in the first 2 games in Florida.

Backing Skinner to save at least the first 15 shots on goal he faces gives you an opportunity to nearly double up. If you’re a little more on the adventurous side, 20+ (+320) will give you the chance to triple up.

This will be a low-scoring game, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Skinner allow his first goal in the 2nd or 3rd period.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Game 5: Best Oilers at Panthers prop bet picks

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Panthers RW Vladimir Tarasenko OVER 1.5 shots (-175)

I’ve been riding this prop all series, and it has cashed in each game. I’m frankly stunned it hasn’t elevated to 2.5. Vladi has hit this in 8 straight games, and he has goals in the last 2 games. He’s a sniper, and his confidence is through the roof as he sniffs his 2nd Stanley Cup. Look past the juice, because this is cashing again.

Panthers C Aleksander Barkov UNDER 2.5 shots (-145)

Sasha Barkov has 2, 1, 2 and 2 shots on goal in this series. He has been more of a facilitator, and his defensive assignments on McJesus and C Leon Draisaitl have been large priorities. He’s flanked by wingers Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues, and they have 4 goals in this series. It’s not a lock, but I’m feeling the Under here.

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Panthers C Anton Lundell OVER 0.5 points (+115)

You might not know this 22-year-old by name, but he has made a big impact in this series. He centers the 3rd line and plays on the 2nd power play, both of which with Tarasenko, and he has 4 assists in the last 3 games. The books must not know who he is either as we’re still getting plus-money for a single point.

Oilers C Leon Draisaitl OVER 2.5 shots (-140)

Draisaitl has hit this in 3 of 4 games, and the only one he failed to, was Game 2, when he checked out mentally and took a dumb penalty late in the game. He had 2 assists in the runaway Game 4 and doesn’t have a goal in the series. I look for him to try to change that and cash this early.

Oilers G Stuart Skinner UNDER 26.5 saves (-105)

Skinner was great in Game 4 with 32 saves on 33 shots. That game was in hand early, though. That was the first time in the series he has eclipsed this number. He had 19, 25 and 15 saves in the other 3 games. I look for a different type of game in this elimination game, and I don’t see Skinner making this many stops. He could also be on a short leash since there is no tomorrow guaranteed.