SUNRISE, Fla. – The quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup is drawing to a close. Two teams remain standing as the Florida Panthers return for the second straight year to battle the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals today – Saturday, June 8 – at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. The matchup is available on multiple streaming services for free.
Today’s game will broadcast live on ABC and stream on ESPN Plus with the puck dropping at 8 p.m. Eastern. Fans who have parted ways with their local cable provider can catch Game 1 by utilizing streaming alternatives like FuboTV and DirecTV Stream, which both offer a free trial. Sling TV is also offering promotional discounts for new customers.
You can get a subscription to ESPN+ for $10.99 per month. Another option is to sign up for an annual subscription for $109.99.
You can watch this game on Sling TV with the help of an over-the-air HDTV antenna. You may purchase one under $30 on Amazon.
Breaking down the matchup
Despite making their second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Panthers have never won a title. Their opposition touts a storied past of five championships while looking to return to glory with their first title since 1990. Something has to give as a new champion will etch their name into the coveted cauldron.
What to know about the Oilers
The star power of Connor McDavid (31 points) and Leon Draisaitl headline a powerful Oilers squad with even more daunting expectations. The “cup or bust” mentality has come into fruition as Zach Hyman touts a playoff-leading 14 goals while Evan Bouchard (6 goals, 27 points) guides a potent defenseman punch.
These aren’t the same Oilers who lost to the Panthers twice early in the regular season.
Stuart Skinner (11-5, 2.50, .897) once again is the wild card in goal. He did just enough to survive Dallas. Can he replicate that success against the Panthers? The weary keeper has allowed more than two goals only once in his last eight starts. He boasts a 4-0 record in closeout games this postseason.
The power play is the name of the game. The Oilers run at a 37.3% clip with 30% of their goals from the man-advantage. Edmonton’s defense has not allowed a power play goal in the past 28 opportunities stretching 10 games.
The Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars on their way to the finale.
Relive the Oilers’ thrilling six-game series against the Stars below.
Florida is 5-2 in the Stanley Cup Finals. Its last appearance was 18 years ago against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Is this the Oilers group that finally ends the 34-year drought? They’ll also be doing it for Canada. Edmonton is just the sixth Canadian team to make the Stanley Cup since 1993. Each one has failed to hoist the hardware.
Watch Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals for free on DirecTV Stream
What to know about the Panthers
The Panthers have depth, something they lacked at this stage last year against the eventual champion Vegas Golden Knights. Fourteen different players have produced goals in this postseason run.
On the other side, Florida’s Aleksander Barkov could be the x-factor in limiting what McDavid is capable of on the ice. Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennet’s physicality will be a key contribution to watch with their ability to bring timely, clutch moments to life through raw power. Carter Verhaeghe remains a threat anytime he is on the ice.
Two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky (12-5, 2.20, .908 SP) anchors the net with bad intentions for the Canadian faithful.
The Panthers’ offense will come out swinging. They average 33.2 shots per game. Edmonton has held its opponents to 25 shots per game.
Fueled by their aggression, Florida is the most penalized team (69) in the playoffs with 207 minutes. But the Panthers been able navigate their own miscues with an 88.2% penalty kill.
The Panthers defeated the rival Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round before gutting through topsy-turvy battles with the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.
Relive the Panthers’ thrilling six-games series with the Rangers below.
It’s the fifth consecutive time a Florida-based team has reached the Stanley Cup Finals. In their third attempt, Will the Panthers hoist the cup for the first time in franchise history?
History in the air
The 2024 Stanley Cup marks the most distance between two opposing teams in NHL history. The distance between Sunrise, Fla. and Edmonton, Alberta is 2,541 miles. The historic circ*mstances have required a larger break in between travel days.
Watch Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals for free on FuboTV
What is the full schedule for the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals?
All times are for home site.
Game 1: Saturday, June 8, Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers, 8 p.m., ABC & ESPN Plus
Game 2: Monday, June 10, Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers, 8 p.m., ABC & ESPN Plus
Game 3: Thursday, June 13, Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers, 6 p.m., ABC & ESPN Plus
Game 4: Saturday, June 15, Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers, 6 p.m., ABC & ESPN Plus
Game 5*: Tuesday, June 18, Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers, 8 p.m., ABC & ESPN Plus
Game 6*: Friday, June 21, Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers, 6 p.m., ABC & ESPN Plus
Game 7*: Monday, June 24, Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers, 8 p.m., ABC & ESPN Plus
*If necessary
What are the latest odds for Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals?
Moneyline: FLA: (-148), EDM: (+124)
Puck spread: FLA: -1.5, EDM: +1.5
Over/Under: 5.5
Here’s more information on how to watch Panthers-Oilers on TV and streaming services.
What: Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers, NHL Playoffs Stanley Cup Finals Game 1
When: Saturday, June 8, 2024
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern
Where: Amerant Bank Arena | Sunrise, Fla.
Channels: ABC
Best streaming options: FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial), Sling TV (promotional offers for new customers), ESPN Plus
Cable Channel Finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DirecTv, Dish, Verizon Fios
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