Game one of the Stanley Cup Final is finally upon us! Although it’s only been six days since the Oilers clinched the Western Conference, it feels more like it’s been 83 years (yes this is a Titanic reference). But the most anticipated final in years gets underway tonight.
Canada’s team, the Florida Panthers, will host the Edmonton Oilers in game one. The Panthers opened as a -120 favourite to win the series on Sunday night, but have now made their way to becoming sizeable -150 favourites as it seems like a lot of the public’s money is going on the Panthers.
A matchup I can’t wait to see is hockey’s best offensive player in Connor McDavid matched up against hockey’s best defensive forward in Selke winner Alexander Barkov, with two of hockey’s best goal scorers as their running mates. McDavid of course has 50 goal scorer Zach Hyman, and Barkov has 50 goal scorer Sam Reinhart.
Today’s expected goaltender matchups for our highlighted game:
The Florida Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky (36-17-4) vs. The Edmonton Oilers’ Stuart Skinner (36-15-2).
Evan Bouchard to register 2.5 shots at -125. My $12.50 bet would return $22.50
Bouchard shot less in the Dallas series. His attempts were down as was his actual output. In a new matchup with Florida, I think he starts to fire away again. Bouchard tallied eight shots in two regular season matchups against Edmonton, an average of four shots per game.
Take this play at .8 units.
Carter Verhaeghe to score anytime at +140. My $10 bet would return $24.
Verhaeghe is a goal scoring machine and is still on Florida’s lethal first line with Sam Reinhart and Alex Barkov. The former Leaf excelled in the regular season matchup against the Oilers, scoring five points in two games, including two goals.
Take this play at .8 units.
Panthers to win money-line and Alex Barkov to score a point at +140. My $10 bet would return $24.
I like the Panthers here in this series, I think they’re a better version of the Canucks and Vancouver gave Edmonton a ton of problems this year. I really like Barkov to cement himself as a legit superstar in the spotlight in this series, so I expect him to produce here too.
Take this play at .8 units too.
Last Game Bets
Zach Hyman to register over 3.5 shots at -140. My $12.50 bet would return $21.42. – MISSED
Connor McDavid to score a power play point at +100. My $10 bet would return $20. – HIT
Tyler Seguin to register over 2.5 shots at -135. My $12.50 bet would return $21.75. – HIT
Not the worst day to chip back, we staked $35 and returned $43.17. We are now down $90.13 on the playoffs so far.
