Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers Game 3 Prediction (June 9, 2025)
The Stanley Cup Final is tied up at 1–1 after two edge-of-your-seaters OT finishes. Edmonton owned the neutral zone in Game 1 and kept their top line on the puck with support from the back end. In Game 2? Florida disrupted that rhythm by stepping up earlier at their own blue line and forcing dump-ins instead of controlled entries.
The Panthers blocked 24 shots and won more loose puck battles below the circles in the third period. Edmonton couldn’t get many clean looks off the rush, and Florida limited McDavid’s touches between the dots.
Game 3 is in Sunrise, so Florida gets the last change and the matchups that they want. Edmonton needs more sustained play from their second unit at even strength and quicker puck recovery after zone entries to get control back.
Ready for Game 3? We are! And we have everything you need to know if you’re putting money in the line.
Game 3 Preview: What to Expect
- Matchup: Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers
- Series Status: – Tied 1-1
- Date & Time: Monday, June 9, at 8:00 pm ET.
- Location: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida
- Broadcast: TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
Prediction Breakdown
47.5%
52.5%
According to GamblingSite.com
Series Recap: Deadlocked After Two
It’s tied at 1-1 going into Game 2! Here’s how it’s played out on the ice so far:
- Game 1: Edmonton took the opener 4–3 in OT by controlling possession through the neutral zone and getting important contributions from their power play. Draisaitl registered two primary assists, and the Oilers were able to stretch Florida’s defensive zone coverage with solid puck support from the blue line.
- Game 2: Florida responded with a 5–4 win in double overtime. Marchand buried the winner off a netfront scramble, capping off a night where Florida generated defensive zone minutes below the goal line and improved their puck management on entries. Their penalty kill also held up under pressure, and the power play converted twice to erase an early deficit.
Florida has done the better job of limiting controlled entries, and Edmonton has used transition play and special teams. Neither side has separated, and adjustments going into Game 3 will revolve around individual player matchups and puck recovery deep in the defensive zone.
Storylines to Watch
- McDavid’s Playoff Pace vs. Florida’s Defensive Assignments: McDavid has the most points of any skater this postseason (26 in 16 games), but Florida managed to contain him at even strength in Game 2. With Barkov and Ekblad likely matched against his line again in Game 3, the Oilers might have to tweak zone entries to keep McDavid from getting stalled at the blue line.
- Goalies Under Pressure: Bobrovsky has a .912 save percentage this postseason and stopped 38 of 42 in Game 2, including six during Edmonton’s early push in the second OT. Skinner has been solid but is still untested this far into the playoffs, so his rebound placement and post-to-post coverage will really matter against Florida’s low-to-high puck movement.
- Defensive Impact: Jake Walman logged around 21 minutes in Game 2, and much of it was spent covering Florida’s second line in the defensive zone. His mobility under forecheck pressure has been invaluable, especially when he’s retrieving pucks and moving them to space. Edmonton’s ability to manage zone time may depend on if Walman can keep absorbing those assignments without breakdowns.
Betting Odds & Lines
As of right now the oddsmakers are favoring the Panthers for this game. Below are the latest odds from BetMGM:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Oilers | +1.5 (-220) | +118 | Over 6.5 (-105) |
Panthers | -1.5 (+180) | -140 | Under 6.5 (-115) |
Best Bets for Game 3
Want to wager on this one? Below are our picks for the four best bets for Game 3!
- Over 6.5 Goals: The first two games have reached at least seven total goals. Florida is making second chances off rebounds, and Edmonton continues to attack through the middle of the ice. Edmonton’s power play is a threat, and Florida has been generating second looks off rebounds and deflections. This number is still reachable even if the penalties drop off.
- Brad Marchand Anytime Goal Scorer: Marchand scored the Game 2 double-overtime winner and finished with five shots. He’s getting regular looks from the high slot and has been positioned to one-time pucks off cross-ice feeds. His scoring chances have come from movement, and he’s been one of Florida’s most active forwards in the offensive zone.
- Connor McDavid Over 1.5 Points: McDavid logged over 27 minutes in Game 2 and remains the focal point of Edmonton’s zone entries and power play puck movement. He recorded two or more points in 10 of his last 13 playoff games coming into the Final.
- First Period Over 1.5 Goals: The first two games had three goals in the opening 20 minutes. Edmonton pushed the pace in the opening 10 minutes, and Florida clapped back with quick counterattacks off defensive zone turnovers. The first period is still a strong window for scoring volume.
Feeling confident in one of these bets? Check out the best online sportsbooks offering lines to place your wagers.
Our Game 3 Pick: Who Pulls Out Front?
The series is even, but Florida looked like the more stable squad defensively in Game 2’s final minutes. They sagged their forwards a little in the neutral zone to take away Edmonton’s cross-ice lanes and forced the Oilers into predictable dump-ins. Once they got the puck, they activated support low and kept pressure on the cycle.
McDavid saw a lot of usage again, but the Panthers forced him into wider lanes and stayed compact around the crease. Edmonton’s depth didn’t contribute much once their top line rotated off. The Panthers also got more from their second and third lines, stretching Edmonton’s defensive pairings and forcing longer shifts in their own zone.
In front of Bobrovsky, Florida kept traffic under control and limited second scoring efforts. The Oilers couldn’t seem to reset after long defensive stretches, and without more from their third pair or secondary scorers? They are vulnerable on the road.
- Totals have cleared 6.5 in both games, and offensive pressure hasn’t let up.
- Florida has the positional edge heading into Game 3 with a more reliable goalie and last change at home!
Our Final Score Prediction: Florida Panthers 4, Edmonton Oilers 3
It’s gonna be another close, breakneck game that could go into OT again. We think the Panthers will get the win on home ice!
