Bettors backing Oilers to thwart Panthers repeat

With the “dynasty” phrase being floated freely because the Florida Panthers put together for his or her third consecutive Stanley Cup Finals look, the general public has been backing the Edmonton Oilers to keep away from a repeat of final 12 months’s finals.

The groups have equal -110 odds at DraftKings to win the sequence that begins Wednesday in Edmonton, with the Oilers drawing 65 % of the whole early bets and 78 % of the cash wagered on the champion.

The motion has been extra cut up at BetMGM, the place the Oilers opened because the -125 favourite. Their odds have shortened even additional to -130, which has led to the Panthers being backed by 53 % of the bets and 57 % of the cash on the ebook.

The complete video games market has held regular at six, with 98 % of the cash backing the Over, which might imply one other dramatic seven-game sequence.

Edmonton eradicated Dallas in Game 5 of the Western Conference remaining on Thursday, establishing a repeat of final 12 months’s Stanley Cup Final received by Florida in seven video games. It’s additionally the primary repeat matchup within the Final since Detroit and Pittsburgh met in 2008 and 2009.

The Oilers are consensus 1.0-goal favorites (+153) practically per week forward of Game 1. The line is 1.5 targets at DraftKings (+190), Caesars (+180) and BetMGM (+192), which reported 66 % of the cash additionally backing Edmonton’s -120 Game 1 moneyline.

“They’re a really good team and we’re a really good team as well,” Oilers ahead Leon Draisaitl stated of the Panthers. “It’s nice to get a shot at getting some revenge, but we’re a long ways from that. We’ll enjoy this and get ready.”

In final 12 months’s Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton misplaced the primary three video games however pushed it to the restrict earlier than dropping the deciding sport 2-1.

Now the Oilers have their alternative to not solely win the Stanley Cup however declare the crown in opposition to the membership that broke their hearts.

“I think we’re better for going through last year,” Oilers star Connor McDavid stated. “It’s a great learning experience and really driven us all year. This run has felt very different than last year. It’s felt very normal. …

“Games may be emotionally draining, however we’re not drained. We’ve bought nearly as good an opportunity as they do.”

–Field Level Media