Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel Gets Panthers Fans Hyped for Game 1 As Only He Could

June 9, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

Wearing a white Florida Panthers jersey, Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel made a special appearance at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

McDaniel led the Panthers’ pregame festivities by banging the drum and encouraging the sellout crowd to chant “Let’s go Panthers!” ahead of the puck drop. It went about as you’d expect.

Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel bangs the drum for the Florida Panthers ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. 🏈🏒🥁 pic.twitter.com/GFzh4TjopK

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 9, 2024

CHECK YOUR PULSE IF YOU’RE NOT FIRED UP 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XAbgxwRQjk

— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) June 9, 2024

McDaniel’s pregame efforts appeared to pay off, as the Panthers scored first on a goal by center Carter Verhaeghe just four minutes into the game. They scored again two minutes into the second period for a 2–0 lead when center Evan Rodrigues lit the lamp for his fourth goal of this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs.

Game 1 wasn’t McDaniel’s first time banging the drum at Amerant Bank Arena. He also did it last May before the Panthers’ Game 4 matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final—which they won 4–3 to advance to the 2023 Stanley Cup final.

McDaniel will be able to enjoy the rest of the Panthers’ Stanley Cup run, as his Dolphins wrapped up organized team activities and mandatory minicamp last week.

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!

1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Lightning Coach Jon Cooper Apologizes for ‘Goalies in Skirts’ Comments After Playoff Exit

Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper apologized Wednesday for comments he made Monday after the Lightning's playoff elimination that were widely condemned as misogynistic.

"I made an inappropriate analogy about goalies and skirts," Cooper told reporters. "You know, it’s one of those moments if you could just reach back and grab the words back, I would have."

Tampa Bay lost 6-1 to the Florida Panthers Monday in Game 5 of their first round series. After the contest, an irate Cooper questioned two goalie interference calls by suggesting "we might as well put skirts on (goalies) then, if that’s how it’s gonna be."

Cooper said he had to explain himself to his twin daughters after his comments.

Jon Cooper opened his press conference by apologizing for his goalies wearing skirts comments. “Quite frankly, it was wrong.” Said it has pained him more than the series loss. Especially with daughters at home. Wishes he could go back in time and take it back. pic.twitter.com/4iDgrpRhY9
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) May 1, 2024

"I have girls that play sports," Cooper said. "Quite frankly, it was wrong. I had to go explain myself to my girls... it’s pained me more than the actual series loss itself."

In 12 years with the Lightning, Cooper has won two Stanley Cups and four Eastern Conference titles.

4 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Oilers Coach Shades Panthers Ahead of Stanley Cup Final By Dropping NFL Reference

The Edmonton Oilers punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006. Awaiting them on the NHL's biggest stage is the Florida Panthers, who also represented the Eastern Conference last year.

Does the Panthers' Stanley Cup Final experience give them an edge over the Oilers? Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch doesn't believe it does.

"Experience is good. I don't know how much experience is beneficial," Knoblauch said. "You'd have to ask the Buffalo Bills how important Super Bowl experience is."

Knoblauch is referencing the Bills' infamous run in the early 1990s. Buffalo made four straight Super Bowls from 1991 to '94 but lost all of them. Although the Bills went 49–15 in the regular season over that span, every campaign ended in the same fashion—a loss in the big game to an NFC East team in the New York Giants, Washington and the Dallas Cowboys (twice).

The Panthers have made five straight playoff appearances and advanced to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, only to fall in five games to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Florida will be chasing its first Stanley Cup in franchise history this summer while the Oilers attempt to end Canada's 31-year drought without a title.

"I think the biggest thing is just having confidence to play," Knoblauch said. "When our guys are playing our best, they should have a lot of confidence."

The puck is scheduled to drop in Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

US Sports News

Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel Gets Panthers Fans Hyped for Game 1 As Only He Could

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