NHL Game Preview: Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers

Match Information

Are you planning on watching today’s Panthers and Oilers game? Catch the action at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB, as the Oilers host this showdown at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.

Betting Odds

The current over/under goal line for this matchup is set at 5.5 goals, and the Oilers are favored by -1.5 against the Panthers.

Head-to-Head and Key Stats

The Panthers have had a noteworthy performance against the Oilers in recent encounters. In the last three times the Panthers have faced the Oilers as underdogs, they've emerged victorious in two out of those three encounters. Moreover, when examining the past three matchups in Edmonton, the over/under record stands at 1-2, with the teams combining for an average of six goals each game.

Overall, the over/under record in their last three meetings is also 1-2. Florida boasts a straight-up record of 7-3 in their last ten road games, with a 5-5 record against the puck line, averaging three goals per game in these games. In contrast, the Edmonton Oilers have a 3-2 straight-up record in their last five home games, also averaging three goals per game with a puck line record of 2-3.

As underdogs, the Oilers hold a 2-3 straight-up record in their last five games, with a matching 2-3 record against the puck line. The Panthers have performed well as betting favorites, with a 2-1 puck line record and a perfect 3-0 straight-up record in their last three games.

Team Performance and Key Players

The Panthers are sitting comfortably in third place in the Eastern Conference with 110 points, boasting a record of 52-24-6. Florida has been impressive over their last ten games, going 8-2 and securing victories in each of their last four games.

On the road this season, the Panthers have been formidable with a 26-11-4 record. They have consistently held the status of favorites in 67 of their 82 games this season. In their last five games, Florida has gone a perfect 5-0, further emphasizing their winning streak as favorites. Offensively, the Panthers are scoring an average of 3.2 goals per game, ranking them 11th in the NHL.

Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will be starting for Florida, with an impressive record of 36-17 and a save percentage of 0.948% across 58 starts this season. This performance underscores his critical role for the Panthers in net.

The Edmonton Oilers, on the other hand, have shown strong form at home, going 28-9-4, and being favored in 71 of their 82 games this season. In the Western Conference, the Oilers are in fifth place and sit second in the Pacific Division. However, over their last ten games, Edmonton has shown inconsistency, going 5-5 and losing their last two contests.

For the season, the Oilers hold a record of 49-27-6 with 104 points. Against other Western Conference teams, they boast a solid 30-20 record and have gone 18-8 against divisional opponents. However, over their last five games, Edmonton has struggled slightly, going 2-3 and losing their last three contests.

Offensively, the Oilers have been potent, averaging 3.6 goals per game, which ranks them fourth in the NHL. They lead the league in shots on goal per game. Edmonton has gone 33-18 when they have had more shots than their opponents, while managing a 16-8 record in games with fewer shots on goal. Goaltender Stuart Skinner will be between the pipes for Edmonton, having made 57 starts this season with a record of 36-16 and a save percentage of 0.931%.

Prediction

Given the Oilers’ status as 1.5-point favorites, our NHL analytics models predict a closely contested game, with Edmonton prevailing 4-3. The current lines suggest taking the Oilers on the moneyline. On the spread, the Panthers are a more attractive option at +1.5. Our NHL model projects a total of seven goals for this game, so taking the under is also suggested.

Injury Report

Edmonton Oilers:

  • Evander Kane – Hip – Questionable
  • Troy Stecher – Ankle – Out

Florida Panthers:

No injuries reported.