We have made it folks, the Stanley Cup Finals, finally get underway tomorrow night in sunny Sunrise, Florida.

The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers have both endured three hellacious rounds of hockey and one team is going to enter hockey’s Hall of Champions.

Now, instead of making my prediction, I’m going to look into how these teams match up against each other and give two X factors per side.
During the regular season, Florida took care of Edmonton both times they played, winning 5-3 and 5-1 respectfully and it could lead to Florida getting the upper hand, but I wouldn’t look a whole lot into that. Sure it may lead to Florida knowing what Edmonton can or can’t do but in these moments the biggest stars will shine the brightest.

Florida wins the battle when it comes to all the position groups based on depth alone, however, Edmonton has two people who can truly turn a game on its head and change the outcome on a dime, that is Connor McDavid 31 points in 18 playoff games and Leon Draisaitl 28 points in 18 playoff games. If Florida can stop these two, it could be a quick series but one or both of these men will win Edmonton at least 1 game.

Edmonton has two players that I think will need to be on the PS and Qs in the Finals to help Edmonton win and they are, Evander Kane and Darnell Nurse, both have had their ups and downs but if they stay up, and play physically and don’t hinder the Oilers chances at a win, it will go a long way. Evander Kane can be a difference maker, he can be a shit disturber, he can bury the puck and have those plays that can truly set the tone for the team. Darnell Nurse has undercome a lot of fire but ever since game 3 of the WCF, he’s seemed to improve his game, I mainly picked him as an X Factor because to stop Florida, Mattias Ekholm can’t do it solo and  I don’t trust Cody Ceci to be consistent on defence.

Florida has two guys who can set the tone for how the game or games will go, one is Carter Verhaeghe and the other is Aaron Ekblad, first Carter Verhaeghe, has the winning pedigree, he won with Tampa in 2020, he’s scored series-winning goals and ever since coming to Florida, he has established himself a role in the NHL. Carter has 17 points in 17 playoff games for the Cats and is counted upon by fans and Paul Maurice. So, if Carter can continue to play his game, he may become a 2-time champ. Aaron Ekblad ever since his days with the Barrie Colts has seen the team rise from the ashes and compete for championships. The biggest thing for him these playoffs, he and D partner Gustav Forsling have been dynamite, shutting down the league’s best Aaron’s most impressive stat is that without any power play time, he’s a +9 in the playoffs while averaging 22 minutes a night if he and Frosling can help contain McDavid and Driastil, this series could end quick.

Another factor by the way if Edmonton wants to win is to play their game and not be suckered in by Florida’s violent ballet behaviour on the ice. Make Florida go off their game and have Stuart Skinner be a rock as he did VS Dallas and maybe Edmonton wins.

Another battle is between these two fans.

Panthers vs oilers

Who will win?

Ladies in the NHL

Vote in comments

Stanley Cup pic.twitter.com/tTZevIsL5s

— GetHype.Eth I Blake the C⭕️nnect⭕️r (@GetHypeDigital) June 4, 2024

Now for this series prediction. For as much as I know McDavid needs to win a cup to truly become an all-time great, I think Florida overall is the greater team and will win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Panthers in 6.