Oilers slight favorites over Panthers in Stanley Cup rematch

The Edmonton Oilers are slight favorites over the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final rematch.

After knocking out the Dallas Stars in five games, the Oilers have -115 (53.5% implied probability) odds at theScore Bet/ESPN Bet, while the Panthers have -105 odds.

Connor McDavid and Co. will look to end the Oilers' 35-year Stanley Cup drought. The franchise dominated the NHL with five championships from 1984 to 1990, but they have to get past one of the league's best teams to claim this season's crown.

The Panthers will play in their third straight Stanley Cup Final after defeating the Oilers in seven contests last year to earn the franchise's first title. Their appearance marks the sixth consecutive campaign in which a Florida team has reached the finals.

Defending the Stanley Cup has become more common, which bodes well for the Panthers' chances. The Tampa Bay Lightning (2020 and 2021) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (2016 and 2017) have both become repeat champions within the past decade. Before that, the Detroit Red Wings were the most recent team to win back-to-back Cups in 1997 and 1998.

The meeting between the Oilers and Panthers will be the first Stanley Cup rematch since the Penguins and Red Wings faced off in both 2008 and 2009, winning one series apiece.

Heading into the finals, McDavid leads all players in playoff points with 26, one ahead of his teammate Leon Draisaitl. Edmonton's captain tops the Conn Smythe oddsboard as the -110 favorite, ahead of Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.

Conn Smythe odds

Both McDavid's odds and the Oilers' Stanley Cup odds suggest he's likely to collect his second straight Conn Smythe trophy if Edmonton hoists the Cup. McDavid won last year despite the Oilers' losing effort.

However, Stuart Skinner has a chance at +6000 if the Oilers' offense goes cold. Bobrovsky is playing great, and if this series turns into a defensive battle, Skinner could make a push. He has three shutouts in his last seven starts and, if he picks up a few more in the finals, he'd have a strong Conn Smythe case.

Game 1 is Wednesday, June 4, giving players and bettors alike plenty of time to prepare.