"Cats 4-2 tonight" "Oilers in OT": NHL fans divided on predicting winner of Stanley Cup Final Game 1 between Oilers and Panthers

The Edmonton Oilers will face the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Both teams are equally eager to defeat the other and lift the championship trophy.

The Edmonton Oilers have a chance to win the Stanley Cup finals for the first time under Captain Connor McDavid's leadership. A Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup would break a long drought of over three decades without a Canadian victory in the tournament. Montreal Canadians in 1993 was the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup.

On the other hand, the Florida Panthers will try to ensure that they win their first Stanley Cup. Last year they had the same chance but lost 4-1 to Vegas Golden Knights.

Fans have expressed mixed opinions on the outcome of Game 1. Spittin Chiclets took to X and tweeted with the caption:

"Who do you got tonight?"

"Cats 4-2 tonight," one fan said with faith in the Panthers.

"Oilers in OT," another fan said, hailing Edmonton as the winner.

"Oilers will surprise everyone just like they did against Dallas," a fan said.

"Oils - Florida has not seen a team like Edmonton this playoffs. Connor opens the scoring," another fan said.

However, some have detailed reasoning to back their claim. Here are some more reactions:

"Panthers will chase Skinner at some point in series. They will have multiple starters in net. Florida wins and the series," a fan explained.

"Game of attrition if FLA keeps up the way they have been I’m not sure even the best hockey player in the world will be enough #StanleyCupFinals," a fan said, doubting that Connor McDavid will make a difference.

"Florida takes game 1 i think it will take time for edm to get use to Florida and its physical game," a fan said.

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Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid's take on playing against Panthers

Connor McDavid grew up playing mini-sticks with Sam Bennett in Newmarket, north of Toronto. As the Edmonton Oilers captain, McDavid has faced Matthew Tkachuk multiple times, notably during the Battle of Alberta from 2016 to 2021. McDavid expects tough competition from Tkachuk and Bennett in the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers.

“They’re both very familiar to me,” McDavid said Wednesday. “There are no surprises. They both play hard.”

“It’s going to be a really good test. He’s very competitive. He plays hard.” McDavid said about Bennett.

In their previous playoff encounter, McDavid dominated the Flames, while Tkachuk had a brief standout performance. McDavid expects a physical and intense series against Florida.