Game 4 will be huge in the context of this series
The 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers now heads into Game 4 with the defending champions up 2-1 in a really exciting series. Game 3 looked more like what transpired between the same two teams in the first couple of games of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, as the Panthers completely dominated the Oilers.
Playing their first home game of the series, the Panthers took control early on in Game 3 and never looked in any sort of trouble as they eased to a 6-1 win. One more win at home in Game 4 would hand Florida a massive edge with the Oilers needing to win all of the last 3 games to lift the Stanley Cup.
The 2025 Stanley Cup Final got underway at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, which hosted the opening two games of the series. Both games went down to the wire and eventually required overtime before we finally had a winner. These games were so tight that the Panthers only held a 2-goal cushion once in Game 1 for less than 2 minutes prior to Game 3, while the Oilers have yet to have that privilege.
However, Game 3 was a completely different story as Florida looked like the only team ready to play. Brad Marchand continued his superb form, scoring a goal for the third straight game and creating history as the oldest player in the league to score in the first three games of a Stanley Cup Final.
The Panthers won the battle at the boards, they generated plenty of turnovers through their physical play, and created several scoring opportunities, while the Oilers looked flat. For the first time in this year’s playoffs, Edmonton’s star players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, were held pointless in a game.
Edmonton will come into this game with a certain sense of urgency. They need to rectify their mistakes from the last game, and they need to do it fast.
Although goaltender Stuart Skinner let in 5 goals on Monday, he is expected to start the next game. He will have to step up, and the Oilers need to be better at everything from their defense, discipline, and penalty killing.
Having said that, the Panthers showed exactly why they are the defending champions when they trounced the Oilers on Monday. Florida needs to do more of the same, keep playing a physical brand of hockey, making life difficult for the Oilers players, and win the turnover battle.
However, keeping the Oilers’ star players quiet for two games in a row won’t be an easy task, though, and if there is any time for McDavid to shine, it is now. Edmonton’s stars will come out with a point to prove in Game 4 and expect their teammates to rally behind them.
Prediction: Edmonton wins to even the series at 2-2
Also Read: 2025 Stanley Cup Final Schedule – Key Dates, Face-Off Time, Venues, and Where To Watch
Following the Game 3 win by the Panthers, the betting odds have swung in their favor. Back-to-back wins, along with a dominant display in Monday night’s game, as well as the home ice advantage once again, are all justifiable reasons for this swing.
The pressure is on, and the Oilers know that they need a big game on Thursday, or else things could get out of hand quickly. If the Oilers can keep their penalties in check, they stand a much better chance of evening the series before heading back to Edmonton for Game 5.
Edmonton Oilers: 39/20
Draw: 16/5
Florida Panthers: 21/20
(According to BetMGM)
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