NHL betting

Series Winner Prop: Four Reasons to Bet Edmonton

Published

5 months ago

June 20, 2024

The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team to overcome a 0-3 Stanley Cup Final series deficit in NHL history. As Pittsburgh Penguins fans over 60 know too well, only four teams have prevailed in a playoff series after going down three games.

The Edmonton Oilers are attempting the almost impossible in 2024, and the odds reflect the arduous nature of the task. FanDuel Sportsbook has the Oilers series winner prop priced at +270.

Can the Oilers complete the comeback and bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada? Here are four reasons why they can.

1. The Special Teams Battle

The Edmonton Oilers power play is wicked this postseason, converting at 30.56%. Facing elimination in Game 4 and Game 5, the Oilers PP netted three crucial goals.

Yet, the PP is only half the story.

The Oilers are killing penalties at a rate of 93.85%. They also opened the scoring in the previous two games with shorthanded goals.

The Florida Panthers are not faring well with the man advantage this Stanley Cup Final, going 1-for-16.

And while their PK unit was perfect through three games, their most important penalty killer, G Sergei Bobrovsky, sprung a leak and allowed a combined nine goals in Games 4 and 5.

2. It Takes Two, Baby

Florida plays a heavy, almost violent brand of hockey. Throughout the 2024 NHL Playoffs, the Cats average a bruising 42.73 hits per game.

The Panthers game is brutalizing opposing defensemen with a relentless forecheck. Yet, when a team hits like the Panthers, they can also hit a wall.

Florida totaled 49 hits in Game 4 and 44 in Game 5 but could not keep pace with the speedy Oilers.

3. The Connor McDavid Factor

Oilers C Connor McDavid found another gear with back-to-back four-point games. He’s rewriting the NHL record books, joining and passing names like Gretzky and Lemieux.

NHL fans are watching history unfold, as McDavid is only five points from Gretzky’s all-time playoff point record. He’ll have to tie or break the record for the Oilers to win the Stanley Cup.

I have a hard time betting against a player like Connor McDavid.

4. Oilers’ Superior Scoring Depth

Edmonton boasts the top three scorers in the 2024 postseason. McDavid leads the way with 42 points, while D Evan Bouchard and forward Leon Draisaitl total 32 and 30 respectively.

Two more Oilers players are in the top ten. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman both have 21.

In comparison, Florida’s leading scorer Matthew Tkachuk’s postseason points total is 22.

Making the Case: The Edmonton Oilers Series Winner Prop

The Edmonton Oilers can win this Stanley Cup Final. They have the scoring depth, team speed, and superior special teams play.

Given the extremely rare occurrence of an NHL team climbing back from a 0-3 series deficit, the market has Edmonton priced as an almost 3-to-1 underdog.

The buy-low mark for the Oilers is long gone, but if you believe Edmonton is up to the task, right now is the last best time to lay action on the series winner prop.