McDavid, Draisaitl attempt to lead comeback as Panthers one win away from back-to-back Stanley Cups
The potential biggest game of the series if it doesn't go seven is Game 6 tonight in Sunrise as the Florida Panthers look to make it back-to-back Stanley Cups when returning home with a 3-2 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers.
For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 7-4 record through the first five games of the Stanley Cup Final.
All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
More Hockey: First Six Players Named For Each Nation, New 2026 Olympic Betting Odds
The Oilers have proven to excel when their backs are against the wall as they came one game short of completing a 3-0 series comeback versus the Panthers in last year's Final and have continued the same success this postseason.
They overcame a 2-0 series hole versus the Kings in the first round and haven't looked back since winning 12 of their next 14 games. The Panthers gave them a taste of their own medicine by rattling off three wins over the last four games after losing Game 1 in overtime.
More NHL: 2026 Stanley Cup Odds: Oilers, Panthers Lead Early Contenders But One Unexpected Favourite Emerges
It's been a tight, thrilling series in some games while others have made the Panthers look like an unstoppable machine. I expect this to completely flip as the Oilers know what to do in this spot.
In the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals, the Panthers themselves were dominated in important games like their 9-3 loss to the Golden Knights in Game 5 when Vegas claimed their first Cup in franchise history. I expect a similar performance from the Oilers as we've been long overdue for a big road game from Edmonton's biggest stars.
We covered it in a recent story that McDavid has rarely covered his over in points on the road in Florida, only doing so just once. The rest of the Oilers lineup has less than a point per game average in six road playoff games in Florida and this should change. The red hot Leon Draisaitl has just three points, Evan Bouchard has five points and the trip of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Corey Perry and Darnell Nurse all have two points.
The truly elite Florida defence has been so for too long and it's long overdue for a blowup game like when the Oilers went on the road and won 5-3 in Game 5 of last year's Final.
The biggest games should come for Edmonton's top players in Draisaitl and McDavid. The German winger has just one goal in his last three games, the 52-goal scorer will certainly break his cold streak on the road in Florida and score a big goal. McDavid should breakthrough for a multi-point game and help lift the Oilers to a massive win, forcing Game 7 on Friday.
More NHL: Malkin's Last Ride? Penguins Star Nears NHL Farewell Against the Odds
Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett's potential move to Detroit is gaining attention as latest betting odds reveal chances of a blockbuster signing.
As the Stanley Cup Final nears its end and NHL free agency looms on the horizon, the future of Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett is quickly becoming one of the league’s more intriguing storylines.
Bennett, 28, is in the midst of a standout postseason and could become one of the most sought-after forwards on the market if he tests free agency this summer. With the Detroit Red Wings looking to add a physical, playoff-tested presence to their forward group, the question emerges: Could Bennett make the move to Hockeytown?
This postseason has showcased the very best of Sam Bennett. He has emerged as a force in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, tallying 14 goals and 20 points through 20 games, including multiple clutch performances in the Final against Edmonton. His breakaway finish in Game 3 was not just a turning point in the series, but also his record-breaking 12th road goal of the postseason, setting an NHL playoff record.
He tied the Panthers' franchise record for most goals in a single postseason, and his impact extends beyond the scoresheet. Bennett’s physical edge, defensive awareness, and timely scoring have drawn high praise from around the league, with Panthers coach Paul Maurice describing him as “an animal” in the playoffs.
More Red Wings: 3 Free Agent Defenceman That Detroit Should Target
Bennett’s strong two-way game and ability to thrive in pressure situations make him an attractive target for teams with playoff ambitions. The Red Wings, fresh off a season of growth under Steve Yzerman’s leadership, are expected to be aggressive this offseason. With more than $21 million in projected cap space, Detroit has the flexibility to add a player like Bennett.
His ability to play both center and wing would give the Red Wings versatility in their top six, while his gritty style of play fits the identity they’ve been working to build. Moreover, his Ontario roots and history with Canadian junior systems offer a close to home destination that Bennett could find appealing.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
However, there are notable barriers like Bennett is expected to command a contract in the range of $7 to $8 million annually, which could be a stretch for the Red Wings depending on how they prioritize their spending on the backend. While he brings intensity and playoff experience, his regular season production, most recently 51 points, may not fully justify a top-dollar investment, especially if Detroit is looking for long-term foundational scorers to get them to the postseason.
Some analysts also question whether Bennett is a true top-line talent or more of a complementary player who thrives in a very specific system like Florida’s. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Bennett is most likely to stay with the Panthers, with odds at –230. The Toronto Maple Leafs follow at +500, while teams like Vegas (+900), Boston (+2200), and Ottawa (+2600) round out the mid-tier options.
Detroit comes in at +3700, indicating that while it’s not out of the question, it’s certainly considered a long shot. Still, the Red Wings have surprised in the past, and Yzerman has shown a willingness to pounce when the right opportunity arises.
If he chooses to test the open market, Detroit has the cap space, the culture, and the vision to make a compelling case. Whether they’ll be able or willing to outbid teams with more urgent short-term needs remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: if Sam Bennett becomes available, the Red Wings will be a team worth watching.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites.
When the 12 nations that will take part in the Olympic tournament announced their first six players on Monday, a single Montreal Canadiens player was named: Juraj Slafkovsky with Team Slovakia. That’s not to say Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Patrik Laine won’t be representing their respective countries come February, but they haven't made the cut yet.
A former Hab was part of Denmark’s first six selection: Lars Eller. The 36-year-old center spent six seasons in Montreal after being acquired by Pierre Gauthier in the controversial Jaroslav Halak trade. With the Canadiens, the Dane became a complete player and a reliable defensive center. He played 435 games with the Tricolore, accumulating 154 points and 297 penalty minutes.
A New Center Who Could Interest The Canadiens Is Reportedly On The Market
Canadiens: Should Hughes Consider Making An Offer To A Former Pest?
Canadiens: St-Louis Speaks About Cole Caufield, And Arber Xhekaj
At the 2016 draft, GM Marc Bergevin traded him to the Washington Capitals for two second-round picks before acquiring Andrew Shaw from the Chicago Blackhawks; those trades kicked off a busy five days for the Canadiens’ GM, who would trade P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber a few days later.
In his second season with the Capitals, Eller became a Stanley Cup champion. While he’s not usually a huge point producer, he was the one who scored the Cup clinching goal against the Vegas Golden Knights and finished the playoffs with 18 points in 24 games, by far the best performance of his career in the postseason (the only time he even came close was when he put up 13 points in 2014 with the Canadiens).
Eller stayed in Washington until the trade deadline in 2023, when the Caps traded him to the Colorado Avalanche in return for a second-round pick. In the off-season, the Dane signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins as a free agent, but 17 games into his second season in Pennsylvania, the Caps reacquired him in return for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Unfortunately for the Caps, he wasn’t able to find his playoff form this time around and could only manage a single point in nine postseason games. Still, he performed well enough to be named to Denmark’s Olympic squad along with Nikolaj Ehlers, Frederik Andersen, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Jonas Rondbjerg and Jesper Jensen Abo.
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.