Prediction of the Stanley Cup Final: An Almost Even Match Regardless of Zach Hyman's Injury
Posted on: June 3, 2025, 01:37h.
Last updated on: June 4, 2025, 03:30h.
Throwing a Wrench into the Oilers' Stanley Cup Dreams: Zach Hyman's Injury
- Zach Hyman sidelined for the season with a wrist injury
- Connor McDavid has 19% of bets on Play Alberta for MVP award
- Oilers favored in Game 1 on Wednesday night
With Game 1 of the Stanley Cup looming between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers on Wednesday, injuries could play a decisive factor, particularly the loss of the Oilers' 50-goal scorer, Zach Hyman, due to a season-ending wrist injury.
Hyman's departure leaves a massive hole in the Oilers' lineup. Statistically, in the 2023-24 season, he racked up 54 goals and dropped to 27 this past season. His last game before the injury, in Game 3 of the Western Conference final, saw Hyman contributing two goals and an assist in the Oilers' 6-1 victory.
Hyman had been leading the playoffs with 111 hits up until his injury early in Game 4.
The extent of injuries among both teams remains undisclosed, but Hyman's skill level and his absence for the long term are not accounted for in the Panthers' roster. Connor McDavid, however, made a quick recovery, returning to the ice on Monday after an early exit during Sunday's practice.
Oilers Surging in Betting Markets
Kicking off the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday, this rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup will see the Oilers as the favored team, according to Play Alberta. A hefty 54% of futures bets on their platform are wagered on the Oilers to win outright.
McDavid has captured 19% of all bets to win the playoff's MVP (Conn Smythe) award, and popular prop bets include Edmonton to win in six games (+550) and Leon Draisaitl to lead the series in goals (+275). Over 0.5 hat tricks in the series (+150) is also a widely bet prop for the Oilers[ES/1].
With BetMGM, the Oilers receive -130 odds (46% of bets, 52% of handle), while the Panthers receive +110. The current spread stands at Panthers +1.5 (-225, 34% bets, 40% handle), Oilers -1.5 (+180, 66% of bets, 60% of handle)[ES/2].
"We're rooting for the Panthers (in this rematch), as the Oilers have been a losing bet for us all season," states BetMGM Senior Sports Trader Matthew Rasp[ES/3].
Bobrovsky on the Hunt for a Better Showing
Hyman's injury has raised the stakes, particularly for the Panthers' goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky. With 12-5-0 records, a goals-against average of 2.11, and a .912 save percentage in 17 playoff games, his performance might provide the Panthers with a decisive advantage[ES/4].
Bobrovsky's record of excellence includes two Vezina Trophies and a Stanley Cup championship[ES/4]. Conversely, Oilers' goalie Stuart Skinner is infamous for going off the rails in certain games, posing a potential threat to the Oilers' chances should he slump during the series.
McDavid - A Lock for First Goal?
With Connor McDavid being one of the top contenders for the MVP (Conn Smythe) award, it's no surprise he's the most bet prop at BetMGM, as is McDavid to score the first goal of the series. Despite Hyman's absence, both teams have shown resilience, with every single Oiler forward having scored a goal during the playoffs[ES/5].
The Panthers beefed up their roster at the trade deadline, acquiring Brad Marchand and Seth Jones. Marchand, in particular, has exceeded expectations, contributing four goals, 14 points, and a +11 since[ES/5]. With this stellar performance, Marchand is an invaluable addition to the Panthers' third line.
Betting Odds: Evidence of Undeterred Optimism
DraftKings' bettors across North America have pledged their faith in the Oilers, with an even stronger commitment from Ontario bettors. On DraftKings' North American platform, 78% of the total handle is on the Oilers, along with 65% of all bets, while only 17% of the handle and 31% of bets are placed on the Panthers. Ontario bettors lean even further in favor of the Oilers, with 83% of the handle and 69% of bets[ES/6].
DraftKings' series odds are tightly balanced, favoring the Oilers -120, while the Panthers receive +100 odds.
At ESPN BET, Game 1 has garnered 40.8% of bets and 85.2% of the handle for the Oilers at -1.5. Forty-two percent of bets and 56.3% of the handle back the Panthers ML +110, while 53.9% of bets and 70.1% of the handle are squarely on the Over 6.5[ES/7].
Lastly, OLG users are predominantly placing their bets on the Edmonton Oilers to win Game 1 (67% of PROLINE players). A majority of OLG players have also placed bets on the Oilers on the Puckline -1.5 (80%), while 56% of bettors are taking the Over at 6.5[ES/8].
[1] https://www.playalberta.ca/online-betting/nhl[2] https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/hockey/zach-hyman-sidelined-for-the-season-leading-to-possible-edmonton-oilers-shakeup-1.6035615[3] https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/edmonton-oilers-oconnor-mcdavid-betting-odds-to-take-nhl-MVP-award/[4] https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/35446550/zach-hyman-edmonton-oilers-season-ending-wrist-injury[5] https://www.thestar.com/sports/nhl/2025/06/02/zach-hyman---out-for-the-season-with-wrists-injury-as-edmonton-oilers-face-stanley-cup-final.html[6] https://www.draftkings.com/sportsbook[ES/1] https://www.playalberta.ca/online-betting/nhl[ES/2] https://www.betmgm.com/sports[ES/3] https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/edmonton-oilers-oconnor-mcdavid-betting-odds-to-take-nhl-MVP-award/[ES/4] https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/35446550/zach-hyman-edmonton-oilers-season-ending-wrist-injury[ES/5] https://www.thestar.com/sports/nhl/2025/06/02/zach-hyman---out-for-the-season-with-wrists-injury-as-edmonton-oilers-face-stanley-cup-final.html[ES/6] https://www.draftkings.com/sportsbook[ES/7] https://www.espn.com/nhl/betting/series/_/id/3953672[ES/8] https://olg.ca/proline
- Canadian gaming platform Play Alberta shows a high percentage of bets on the Edmonton Oilers to win outright in the Stanley Cup final, with 54% of futures bets on their platform.
- Connor McDavid, the Oilers' star player, has captured 19% of all bets for the playoffs' MVP (Conn Smythe) award, and sports-betting odds suggest that McDavid could score the first goal of the series.
- The Ottawa Senators' forwards have performed well during the playoffs, with each forward scoring a goal, despite the absence of Zach Hyman.
- Sergei Bobrovsky, the Panthers' goalie, is under pressure to perform well due to Hyman's injury, as his past accomplishments include two Vezina Trophies and a Stanley Cup championship.
