The NHL equivalent of Don Shula's old Miami Dolphins No-Name defense might be the current version of the Florida Panthers, who served notice in Game One of the Finals that the Oilers are not only going to have trouble winning, but even scoring goals. Edmonton couldn't do any of that in Saturday's opener, flustered by a Florida defense that clogs the center of the ice, and then Sergei Bobrovsky almost impenetrable in goal. Then there is Alexander Barkov hounding Connor McDavid the way he did to the Rangers' weapons in the East finals. Florida seems very comfortable playing games 2-1, 3-1, or 3-2, and a scoreline getting to six goals looks a real chore when the Panthers are involved. Play Oilers-Panthers "Under"

Edmonton has a bit of an issue in the Finals, as the same defensive style the Oilers employed to take out the Canucks and Stars in preceding rounds might not work as well against the Panthers. Early evidence suggests as much after Florida's 3-0 win in the opener. Alexander Barkov is at it again for the Panthers, neutralizing top threats on the opposing side as he has done throughout the playoffs vs. the likes of Kucherov, Pastrnak, and Panarin, while Sergei Bobrovky remains awfully hard to beat in goal in the rare times opposing shots actually get thru the defense. Play Panthers on Money Line

I played a little hockey way back in the day, but I'm certainly no expert on schemes and such in the sport. Maybe Florida is simply a terrible matchup for Edmonton as the Panthers are now 3-0 vs. the Oilers this season and have won each by multiple goals. The Oilers are 5-1 after a loss in these playoffs and there's almost no chance they are blanked again, but I can't justify not taking Florida at home as it has the superior goalie and the deeper roster. That Evander Kane has disappeared of late for Edmonton might end its title chances.

The Florida Panthers have won all three meetings after taking game one by a 3-0 score (2-0 plus an empty-net goal). Edmonton outshot Florida 32-18 and missed some easy shots they normally convert. This team is well-coached and should make the necessary adjustments. The Oilers are 5-1 after scoring one goal or less since January 1st, and no team has won four straight against this Oilers’ roster in quite some time.