Oilers vs. Panthers Game 6 Prediction & Top Bets (June 17, 2025)
We’ve got NHL Finals whiplash. After the stunner that was Game 4, where the Oilers came back to even up the series to 2-2, we were pretty sure that the Oilers would win Game 5. So was everyone else.
Wrong! The Panthers whooped Edmonton 5-2, they’re up 3-2, and are now only one game away from winning the Stanley Cup back-to-back. Game 6 is do-or-die for the Oilers, or it’s all over for them.
The next one goes back to Sunrise, Florida. Will the Cats take Game 6 for a Cup repeat? Or will the Oilers force a Game 7 back in Edmonton? They resurrected in Game 4, so it’s not out of the question by any means. Either way, our necks hurt from all the back-and-forth. But we are here for it; this is some great playoff hockey!
Game Details
- Matchup Stanley Cup Final — Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers, Game 6
- When: Tuesday, June 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida
- How to Watch (US): Nationally televised on TNT, and simulcast on truTV and Max
- Series Status: – FLA leads 3 – 2
Prediction Breakdown
46.6%
53.4%
According to GamblingSite.com
Series So Far: Stick Styles
Florida is now ahead in the series 3–2 and is back in control after a convincing 5–2 win in Game 5. The Panthers showed off a potent combo of tight structure, physical play, and aggressive offensive bursts and followed up with disciplined shutdown minutes.
Brad Marchand tallied a two-goal night (making his series goal total six), and Sam Bennett added his playoff-leading 15th goal. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 19 shots, handling everything that came at him before the Panthers built their cushion.
Edmonton did manage a goal from Connor McDavid, which was his first of the series, but the Oilers never got enough momentum. Their power play was cold (0-for-3), and a few sloppy neutral-zone turnovers turned into goals for the Panthers. Coach Knoblauch and the Oilers said it was a good first shift, but said they missed chances and just couldn’t recover.
Scoreline Summary
- Game 3: Panthers win 6–1
- Game 4: Oilers squeak out a win 5–4 in OT
- Game 5: Panthers take it 5–2
Main Matchups to Watch
There is a lot to watch on the ice, but this is who and what we are laser-focused on in Game 6:
Draisaitl has 4 goals and 3 assists in the series. McDavid got on the board in Game 5 but hasn’t had a lot of room to work through the middle; Barkov’s defensive tracking has kept him stuck to the outside in most entries. Reinhart has disrupted passing lanes and taken away Edmonton’s cross-ice setups, limiting clean looks in high-value areas.
Bobrovsky goes into Game 6 with a .912 save percentage and has handled screens and second attempts really well, particularly in Games 1 and 5. Skinner has been up and down; he looked good in Game 4, but gave up five goals in Game 5, including two off rebounds. His reads on east-west puck movement have been slow, and Florida’s finishers have taken full advantage of it.
Florida’s scoring is coming from every forward unit: Marchand, Bennett, Verhaeghe, Reinhart, and Rodrigues. Edmonton’s offense still leans way too much on its top line. No goals from their bottom six since Game 3, and Florida’s third unit has forced extended shifts in the defensive zone, drawn penalties, and created steady zone time.
Tactical Talk
We don’t think that this will be a run-and-gun finish. Game 6 is going to get real messy in the corners, tight around the crease, and tense when the refs blow their little whistles.
Florida’s Five-Man Wall
In Game 5, Bobrovsky only had to make 19 saves. The Panthers were closing off lanes, eating pucks, and clearing rebounds before Edmonton could reload. They didn’t give up the slot and didn’t let plays happen.
Power Plays
Five-on-five play has been close all series long, and most of the separation has come when one side goes to the box. Florida’s capitalized on it, and Edmonton hasn’t. If Game 6 has more penalties, and it probably will, this part of the game takes on a lot more weight.
Physical Edge
It’s gotten nastier every game; the numbers back this, and so do our eyes. Game 5 saw over 60 combined penalty minutes. And it’s not just about the physicality! If someone gets baited into the extra call? One bad retaliation could change the outcome.
Latest Betting Odds & Lines
We are gonna bet on this one even if we flubbed it last game. We aren’t quitters! If you are, too, here are the latest odds and lines via BetMGM:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Oilers | +1.5 (-210) | +118 | Over 6.5 (-102) |
Panthers | -1.5 (+170) | -140 | Under 6.5 (-117) |
Our Best Bets for Game 6
We have looked at all of the angles for Game 6, and below are the three best bets and a bonus lean that we think have the most value!
1. Panthers Moneyline: Florida to Win Game 6
- Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Florida is 8–2 at home this postseason and has already taken both games in Sunrise during the series. Bobrovsky’s posted a .923 SV% on home ice, and this team has handled pressure really well; they’ve closed out multiple series in six or fewer over the last two years. They are the better defensive team on home ice, and have the better goalie who has proven closeout experience.
2. Under 5.5 Total Goals (–105)
- Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐
Closeout games trend tight, and both teams relied on defensive structure in Game 5. Bobrovsky and Skinner faced less clean looks, and recent Florida elimination games have all stayed under. There’ll be limited rush chances, fewer penalties, and more blocked shots.
3. Leon Draisaitl 1+ Point (–130)
- Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐
Draisaitl has 7 points in the last 4 games and is playing over 22 minutes a night. In elimination spots, Edmonton relies on him more than anyone that’s not named McDavid. If the Oilers score? You can bet he’s gonna be involved.
Bonus Lean: First Period Under 1.5 Goals (+105)
- Confidence: ⭐⭐½ (Low-Medium)
Game 5 had one goal in the opening 20 minutes, and both teams managed less than six shots each in that period. Puck control and line matching took priority over stretch passes or odd-man rushes.
Looking for where to place your bets on Game 6? Check out our top-rated sportsbooks for the best odds and bonuses.
Game 6 Gut Check: Here’s How We See It Playing Out
Florida plays cleaner and more structured hockey. They manage the puck, make less mistakes, and rely on Bobrovsky to cover what little does manage to break through. On home ice, they’ve looked way more composed and in sync than Edmonton.
The Oilers do have a lot of talent, but the same issues keep coming up: thin scoring beyond the top line, wobbly defensive coverage, and a goalie who hasn’t met the moment.
Game 6 will probably lean tight, with less chances and more post-whistle standoffs than odd-man rushes. We’re backing Florida to shut it down and end it without needing to schlep back to Alberta. And we won’t need neck braces for our whiplash!
Final Score Prediction: Florida Panthers 3, Edmonton Oilers 2
Florida finishes it off with an empty-netter late in the third period and wins it 3–2!
Remember: If you are going to bet on this game, be sure to gamble responsibly and bet within your means.
