How Can the Oilers Beat the Panthers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final?
Grant White
Host · Writer
Connor McDavid Needs to Step Up
Credit to the Panthers for locking down Connor McDavid. The Oilers captain has been a virtual non-factor in the Stanley Cup Final. While he has shone at various points, we have yet to see McDavid take over the game and turn the tide for the Oilers.
McDavid has just two points over his last three games. Over that stretch, he has consistently been bottled up by the Panthers and unable to be the offensive catalyst the Oilers need him to be.
Edmonton’s chance of hoisting the Stanley Cup lives and dies with McDavid. Bettors could be attracted to any number of McDavid props. But if Edmonton comes back to win it all, it will take a Conn Smythe-winning performance from McDavid.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Don’t Get Down Early
The Edmonton Oilers have been their own worst enemy in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Oilers have given up the first goal in the last four games, usually within the first ten minutes. While sharp bettors have been able to capitalize on the ’First Goal Within 10-Minutes Prop’, the Oilers have consistently found themselves at a deficit versus the Florida Panthers.
If Edmonton has any chance of forcing a Game 7, it must avoid falling into a deficit early.
Stop Taking Stupid Penalties
Many faults have hampered the Oilers in the final, but their constant parade to the penalty box is the most noticeable.
So far this series, Edmonton has given up seven power-play goals to the Panthers. Those issues only add to their current woes.
The Oilers have been more disciplined over the past couple of games. Still, any time spent in the penalty box detracts from their ability to win Game 6.
Rekindle Depth Scoring
For years, the knock on the Oilers has been their inability to get equal production throughout their lineup. They bucked that trend in the early rounds, but the goal-scoring well has dried up in the Stanley Cup Final.
Take note, the Oilers are 2-0 in this series when a bottom-six forward finds the back of the net. Viktor Arvidsson, Kasperi Kapanen, and Vasily Podkolzin have been an energizing line. However, Connor Brown and Mattias Janmark need to recapture some of the magic from earlier in the playoffs.
Depth scoring has been the Panthers’ most valuable asset. Unless the Oilers can match that, they will head into the offseason as back-to-back Stanley Cup runners-up.
Get Adequate Goaltending
All signs point toward Stuart Skinner getting the nod in Game 6. We’ve seen the best he has to offer earlier in the playoffs. The Oilers need Skinner to find his form.
It would be great if he could, but Edmonton doesn’t need Skinner to steal the game. They need adequate goaltending to alleviate the offensive burden.
Skinner was at his best in the Western Conference Final. He toted a .944 save percentage in the Stanley Cup Final, which let the Oilers settle into their game. Performing at that level would effectively guarantee the Oilers the win. But anything above average should do the trick.
Connor McDavid Needs to Step Up
Credit to the Panthers for locking down Connor McDavid. The Oilers captain has been a virtual non-factor in the Stanley Cup Final. While he has shone at various points, we have yet to see McDavid take over the game and turn the tide for the Oilers.
McDavid has just two points over his last three games. Over that stretch, he has consistently been bottled up by the Panthers and unable to be the offensive catalyst the Oilers need him to be.
Edmonton’s chance of hoisting the Stanley Cup lives and dies with McDavid. Bettors could be attracted to any number of McDavid props. But if Edmonton comes back to win it all, it will take a Conn Smythe-winning performance from McDavid.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Don’t Get Down Early
The Edmonton Oilers have been their own worst enemy in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Oilers have given up the first goal in the last four games, usually within the first ten minutes. While sharp bettors have been able to capitalize on the ’First Goal Within 10-Minutes Prop’, the Oilers have consistently found themselves at a deficit versus the Florida Panthers.
If Edmonton has any chance of forcing a Game 7, it must avoid falling into a deficit early.
