Oilers vs. Panthers Prediction: Our Best Picks & Player Props for Tonight's NHL Game

The Edmonton Oilers have been struggling immensely during their recent outings. Outscored 22-11 during their current four-game skid, the Stanley Cup odds favorite Oilers will be eager to move on from February after winning just two of their last seven contests. 

Meanwhile, the Matthew Tkachuk-less Florida Panthers seek a sixth straight triumph in their last seven games. The puck drops at Amerant Bank Arena tonight at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). 

Our Oilers vs. Panthers prediction anticipates the underdog visitors to be desperate, which should keep the contest tight.

Oilers vs. Panthers predictions, expert picks & best bets today

Here are my best Oilers vs. Panthers predictions, expert picks, and best bets tonight with my pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale. Be sure to check out the rest of our NHL picks along with our guide on how to bet on the NHL.

🚨 Game pick: Under 6.5 goals (-130 via Betway) Oilers vs. Panthers ⭐⭐⭐
🚨 My best player prop pick: Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points (+140 via Betway) ⭐⭐⭐

My best Oilers vs. Panthers pick & score prediction

Despite their current malaise, I'm predicting the Oilers will beat the Panthers in a game with six or fewer goals, ending their four-game losing streak. 

🏒 Under 6.5 goals ⭐⭐⭐

Admittedly, the Oilers have been my kryptonite of late. While backing them against Washington and Tampa Bay incorrectly, I was right in foreseeing a better defensive performance. Despite allowing four goals against the Lightning in Tuesday's 4-1 defeat, there were some tangible defensive silver linings. 

They prevented the second-best offensive team from breaking it open, allowing just two even-strength goals against heading into the third period.

Tampa's third goal came from a 5-on-3 on an inexplicable and inexcusable Ryan Nugent-Hopkins penalty. Those indisciplined lapses in judgment have cost the Oilers dearly lately, and I expect them to learn from them.

Brandon Hagel exploited a lazy Evan Bouchard on Tampa's second, while the home team added a fourth in the third period, with the Oilers forced to push forward with reckless abandon. 

For the Oilers to live up to their Stanley Cup hype, they must return to playing defensively sound, receiving total buy-in. Thursday's game offers Edmonton another chance to prove it can still be a top-10 defense. The only way to get themselves out of this deep trench they've dug is to scrap and claw, shutting it down defensively as a collective while being opportunistic at the other end. 

I expect a playoff-like game from Edmonton, which will hopefully contribute to a second straight Under 6.5. Meanwhile, the Panthers haven't allowed more than two goals in four games, leading to four consecutive with six or fewer goals. 

Best odds: -130 via Betway (bet $10 to win $7.69)

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🎯 Final score prediction: Oilers 4, Panthers 2

The Oilers haven't lost five in row in three years, and I expect them to avoid that fate. I'm backing the Oilers to win 4-2. 

Correct score odds: +1200 via Betway (bet $10 to win $120)

Best Oilers vs. Panthers player prop bet

Here is my best Oilers vs. Panthers player prop bet tonight. You can also check out our NEW NHL player prop odds tool for the latest NHL odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your region.  

💰 Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points ⭐⭐⭐

Will the real McDavid please stand up? He's been a shadow of himself from that euphoric high with Team Canada in Boston a week ago. Yes, it was only one week ago that McDavid sent a nation into delirium. He's been woeful by anyone's standard since, accumulating a minus-7 rating in three games.

McDavid has two points in his last four games and hasn't notched a two-point game in five, his longest drought without a multi-point game since an eight-game stretch in January last year. For the Oilers to get out of their current slide, he must drag them, kicking and screaming if necessary. It's time for McDavid to snap out of it and return to his near-invincible best. 

Best odds: +140 via Betway (bet $10 to win $14)

📊 Oilers vs. Panthers odds

Here are the latest odds for Visitor vs. Host via Betway.

🚑 Oilers vs. Panthers injuries

Here is the latest injury report for Oilers vs. Panthers, which updates in real time.

📺 How to watch Oilers vs. Panthers tonight

📅 Date: Thursday, Feb. 27
🕗 Time: 7 p.m. ET
📍 Location: Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, Fla.)
💻 Streaming: ESPN+, Sportsnet+

❓ Oilers vs. Panthers FAQs

Who is favored to win Oilers vs. Panthers?

The Florida Panthers are the home favorites, trading at -115. Those odds imply a win probability of 53.49%. 

What are the odds for Oilers vs. Panthers?

The total is set at 6.5, with the Over at +110 and the Under -130. 

What time is Oilers vs. Panthers tonight?

Tonight's game in Sunrise, Fla., occurs at 7 p.m. ET. 

🥅 Best NHL betting sites

Looking to bet on the NHL tonight? Here are our best NHL betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review, along with our best sportsbook promos ahead of tonight's game.

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