Category: NHL

Top Shelf Picks: Best NHL Bets Today (A Side, Total, and Prop Bet for Game 3)
13 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Top Shelf Picks: Best NHL Bets Today (A Side, Total, and Prop Bet for Game 3)

After two days off, the Stanley Cup Final is set to resume on Thursday night when the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers face-off in Game 3 with the Panthers holding a 2-0 series lead.

If you're looking for some bets to place for tonight's game, you've come to the right place. I have a bet locked in on the side, total, and a player prop. Let's jump right into them.

All odds listed in this article are via BetMGM Sportsbook

Oilers -135 vs. Panthers

I'm going to bet the Oilers to get the job done and keep this series alive. They have been fantastic on their home ice throughout the postseason with a 6-3 record and an average goal differential of +0.99 per game. We've already seen they can dominate the Panthers between the blue lines. Despite losing Game 1, they were the better team from start to finish and had the advanced metrics heavily in their favor.

If they can repeat their Game 1 performance and find a way to pop a few goals, they'll be in a great spot to win tonight.

UNDER 5.5 (-115)

I've bet the UNDER in the first two games and I see no reason to back away from that. It's hit in both games and the advanced metrics so far this series have supported the idea both teams are playing a defensive style of hockey.

The Oilers have an expected goals mark of 2.4 per 60 minutes while the Panthers are at 2.33 per 60 minutes. That's a combined expected goals of just 4.73 per game, well below the set total for Game 3 of 5.5. Both teams are also averaging fewer than 10 high-danger scoring chances per game.

Connor McDavid OVER 3.5 shots on goal (-105)

Big players make big plays in big game and that's what I expect from Connor McDavid tonight. He has recorded at least five shots in four of his last six games and he needs to put his team on his back tonight if he wants to get them back in this series.

I'll bet him to record at least four shots on goal tonight.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

You can check out all of Iain's bets here!

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, NHL, Stanely Cup Final
0
Sharks Promote Assistant Ryan Warsofsky to Head Coach After Disastrous Season
13 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Sharks Promote Assistant Ryan Warsofsky to Head Coach After Disastrous Season

In the wake of a 2024 to forget, the San Jose Sharks have found their leader of the future.

The Sharks are naming assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky their next head coach, they announced Thursday morning. Warsofsky, 36, has spent the last two seasons as an assistant to former coach David Quinn.

"I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement to be named as the head coach of the San Jose Sharks," Warsofsky said in a team statement. "This a tremendous opportunity to continue to be part of a well-respected organization, and my family and I couldn't be more excited for this next chapter."

Once a perennial winner, San Jose is licking its wounds after a 19-54-9 '24 season—its worst by point percentage since going 20-55-7 in 1996.

For their struggles, the Sharks won the number one pick in the draft on June 28. They are widely expected to take highly touted Boston University center Macklin Celebrini.

NHL, Ryan Warsofsky, San Jose Sharks
0
Panthers vs. Oilers Prediction, Odds, and Key Players for Stanley Cup Final Game 3
13 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Panthers vs. Oilers Prediction, Odds, and Key Players for Stanley Cup Final Game 3

The Florida Panthers head to Edmonton with a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers are in a near must-win situation in tonight's Game 3, in danger of falling down 0-3.

The Oilers have been fantastic on their home ice throughout the playoffs. Will that trend continue tonight?

Let's dive into everything you need to know to bet on tonight's game.

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Puck Line

Moneyline

Total

Panthers Injury Report

Oilers Injury Report

Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid: Great players step up in big moments and this might just be the biggest moment of Connor McDavid's career. He needs to drag his team to a Game 3 win and scoring just one goal as a team through the first two games is unacceptable. The Oilers turnaround in this series starts with him.

Florida Panthers

Sergei Bobrovsky: The Panthers' goalie has stepped up in a big way in this series, allowing just one goal through the first two games. If he continues playing at this level, the Oilers have no chance in this series could be over before the end of the weekend.

I've bet the UNDER in the first two games and I see no reason to back away from that. It's hit in both games and the advanced metrics so far this series have supported the idea both teams are playing a defensive style of hockey.

The Oilers have an expected goals mark of 2.4 per 60 minutes while the Panthers are at 2.33 per 60 minutes. That's a combined expected goals of just 4.73 per game, well below the set total for Game 3 of 5.5. Both teams are also averaging fewer than 10 high-danger scoring chances per game.

If you want a bet for the side, I'd recommend the Oilers. They have been fantastic on their home ice throughout the postseason with a 6-3 record and an average goal differential of +0.99 per game. It's desperation time for Edmonton and I expect the Oilers' stars to come through in impressive fashion.

Picks: Oilers -138 and UNDER 5.5 (-118)

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

You can check out all of Iain's bets here!

Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, NHL, Stanley Cup, Stanley Cup Final
0
Canadian Air Traffic Controllers Joke About Diverting Panthers Plane Ahead of Game 3
13 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Canadian Air Traffic Controllers Joke About Diverting Panthers Plane Ahead of Game 3

The Florida Panthers have proven a major headache for the Edmonton Oilers thus far in the Stanley Cup Final.

First, Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky dominated Game 1 as Florida scored a 3-0 shutout win. Then, a big third period from center Evan Rodrigues paced the Panthers in Game 2.

Ahead of Game 3 Thursday in Edmonton, drastic measures appear to have been placed on the table. Among them: diverting Florida's team plane from Edmonton, as Canadian air traffic controllers joked about doing Wednesday.

"I've got about a two-hour hold for you, or whatever it would take that you'd be low enough on fuel that you'll have to divert from Edmonton," a controller said over the radio in audio posted by Andy Slater of WMEN-AM in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. "Mention it to your passengers, maybe they'll figure it out."

That appeared to be followed by authorization for the plane to land in Edmonton "against (the controller's) better judgment."

As Slater noted, pilots from other flights proceeded to join in on the conversation.

"Maybe you can divert them," one noted.

"I threatened them with a hold until they would have to divert," the original controller said, to laughter over multiple radios.

"The last call you guys need is (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman calling the (air traffic control)," one replied.

Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, NHL
0
Charles Barkley Hilariously Dropped F-Bomb on Live TV During Stanley Cup Final
11 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Charles Barkley Hilariously Dropped F-Bomb on Live TV During Stanley Cup Final

Charles Barkley has become a big hockey fan over the years so it wasn't much of a surprise to see him at Monday night's Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final in Florida. It was fun to see him hop on ESPN's studio show between the first and second periods, where Steve Levy quickly made a joke about Barkley's job status.

It was also fun to see Barkley on the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, where he was interviewed on live TV and made the small mistake of dropping an F-bomb while talking about the play of Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Barkley quickly apologized.

The NBA legend remains to be must-see TV wherever he goes (warning: there's a bad word in this clip):

Too good.

The Panthers won the game, 4-1, to take a 2-0 series lead as it shifts to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4.

Charles Barkley, NHL, Oilers, panthers, Stanley Cup Final
0
Every Seven-Game Stanley Cup Final Series in History
11 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Every Seven-Game Stanley Cup Final Series in History

Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final is one of the most exhilarating scenes in sports, and NHL fans will certainly be hoping to see the championship clash between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers go the distance this year.

Throughout Stanley Cup Playoff history, seven-game series have been a fairly regular occurrence. Since 1939, when the NHL adopted the best-of-seven format, there have been 196 game sevens. Included in that tally is 17 in the Stanley Cup Final, and seven since the turn of the century.

We'll take a look at each of the 17 seven-game series in Stanley Cup Final history:

YEAR

MATCHUP

1942

Toronto Maple Leafs def. Detroit Red Wings, 3–1

1945

Toronto Maple Leafs def. Detroit Red Wings, 2–1

1950

Detroit Red Wings def. New York Rangers, 4–3 (2OT)

1954

Detroit Red Wings def. Montreal Canadiens, 2–1 (OT)

1955

Detroit Red Wings def. Montreal Canadiens, 3–1

1964

Toronto Maple Leafs def. Detroit Red Wings, 4–0

1965

Montreal Canadiens def. Chicago Black Hawks, 4–0

1971

Montreal Canadiens def. Chicago Black Hawks, 3–2

1987

Edmonton Oilers def. Philadelphia Flyers, 3–1

1994

New York Rangers def. Vancouver Canucks, 3–2

2001

Colorado Avalanche def. New Jersey Devils, 3–1

2003

New Jersey Devils def. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 3–0

2004

Tampa Bay Lightning def. Calgary Flames, 2–1

2006

Carolina Hurricanes def. Edmonton Oilers, 3–1

2009

Pittsburgh Penguins def. Detroit Red Wings, 2–1

2011

Boston Bruins def. Vancouver Canucks, 4–0

2019

St. Louis Blues def. Boston Bruins, 4–1

The last time the Stanley Cup Final went the distance was in 2019, when the St. Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 7, 4–1, courtesy of goals from Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Brayden Schenn and Zach Sanford.

Of the 17 winner-take-all games since 1939 in the Stanley Cup Final, only twice has the game-winning goal occurred in overtime. Both of the two overtime goals were scored by the Detroit Red Wings, in 1950 and '54, respectively. The Red Wings were involved in each of the first six Game 7s under the current format of the Stanley Cup Final, winning three of them.

Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, NHL, Stanley Cup Final
0
Charles Barkley on ESPN’s Stanley Cup Broadcast Led to a Quick Joke About His Job
11 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Charles Barkley on ESPN’s Stanley Cup Broadcast Led to a Quick Joke About His Job

Charles Barkley made a guest appearance on ESPN's NHL analyst desk during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, joining the likes of Mark Messier, P.K. Subban and Steve Levy in between the first and second periods of Monday night's game.

While on the air, Levy didn't hesitate to broach the conversation of Barkley's future in broadcasting with TNT set to lose its NBA media rights deal.

Levy hinted at the potential for Barkley to make the leap over to ESPN, jokingly referring to him as the "newest member of ESPN's NBA coverage" while introducing the 61-year-old.

"Welcome Mark Messier, P.K. Subban and the newest member of ESPN's NBA coverage? Maybe?" said Levy at the start of the segment.

Rather than immediately address his job, Barkley comically changed the topic and mentioned that Messier owes him $5,000 stemming from a delay of game penalty he took during his playing days.

After discussing Barkley's hockey fandom and his relationship with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, the crew circled back to the topic of Barkley's employment. The NBA Hall of Famer joked that he wished he had a job lined up and that he was back on LinkedIn.

With the NBA on TNT crew facing an uncertain future, the prospect of Barkley joining ESPN's NBA coverage isn't all too far fetched, and Levy wasted no time stirring the pot in that regard.

Charles Barkley, ESPN, Mark Messier, NHL, P.K. Subban, Stanley Cup Final, Steve Levy, TNT
0
Oilers' Warren Foegele Receives Game Misconduct After Dirty Hit vs. Panthers
11 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Oilers’ Warren Foegele Receives Game Misconduct After Dirty Hit vs. Panthers

The Edmonton Oilers will be without one of their key forwards for the remainder of Monday's Game 2 against the Florida Panthers after a bad attempt at a hit from Warren Foegele resulted in a worrisome injury to Eetu Luostarinen.

Foegele attempted to land a hit onto Luostarinen in the open ice, but misfired and ended up sticking his leg out in a desparate attempt to clip the Panthers' forward. In doing so, their legs made direct contact, and Luostarinen remained on the ground in pain after the collision before being helped off the ice. He was unable to put any weight on his leg as he was skated to the locker room.

Officials gathered and reviewed the play before determining that Foegele would be hit with a five-minute major penalty for kneeing, as well as a game misconduct which put an early end to his evening.

With Foegele ejected, Dylan Holloway served the five-minute penalty in his stead.

The absence of Foegele will be a significant loss for Edmonton as they look to even up the series in Game 2. The left winger provided 41 points across 82 games this season, scoring a career-high 20 goals. He has three points including one goal during the postseason.

Luostarinen was able to return late into the first period.

Edmonton Oilers, Eetu Luostarinen, Florida Panthers, NHL, Stanley Cup Final, Warren Foegele
0
Capitals to Purchase CapFriendly Website After 2024 NHL Draft, per Report
9 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Capitals to Purchase CapFriendly Website After 2024 NHL Draft, per Report

The Washington Capitals are reportedly in agreement to purchase the popular NHL salary cap website, capfriendly.com, with future plans to turn the site dark.

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Capitals' purchase of the website won't be finalized until July, as both sides stressed the importance of keeping it functional during the 2024 NHL draft and the onset of the league's free agency period. The NHL draft is set for June 28-29, while free agency opens on July 1.

Per the report, various teams across the league received notice that their contracted agreement with CapFriendly was due to be terminated, an indication that the site had been purchased by one of the NHL's 32 teams.

Once the purchase is made official, it's expected that Washington will bring the site offline, preventing other teams from utilizing its extensive database. Friedman reports that could happen as early as July 5.

CapFriendly was highly-regarded among NHL fans, media and even front office members. The site boasted data on player contracts including salaries, terms, cap hits and more. The site's owner, Dominik Zrim, had previously worked for two NHL front offices; the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks.

NHL, NHL Draft, Washington Capitals
0
Los Angeles Station Misidentifies Florida Panthers as Carolina Panthers on Newscast
9 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Los Angeles Station Misidentifies Florida Panthers as Carolina Panthers on Newscast

The NHL's Florida Panthers and NFL's Carolina Panthers came into existence around the same time—the teams began play in 1993 and 1995, respectively—but they sit at opposite ends of the success spectrum in 2024.

The hockey Panthers, after Saturday’s Game 1 victory, are three wins away from their first Stanley Cup title. The football Panthers are licking their wounds after a 2–15 season, their worst since going 1–15 in 2001.

However, differences in fortunes have never stopped some sports fans from mistaking the two teams for each other. It happened again Saturday in Los Angeles, when KABC-TV put up a graphic depicting the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Panthers meeting in the Stanley Cup finals.

Credit to the anchor here for proceeding as if nothing was amiss—gamely avoiding the urge to throw whoever handled the graphic under the bus.

Interestingly, the Oilers' last trip to the Stanley Cup finals saw them meet the Carolina Hurricanes, to whom they lost the 2006 championship series four games to three.

Carolina Panthers, Florida Panthers, NFL, NHL
0