Game 1 of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final got off to an electric start on Wednesday night as Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring with a slap shot just 1:03 into the game. The fans at Rogers Place erupted, and by the end of the night, the decibel levels were almost certainly near unsafe levels as Draisaitl delivered another goal to lift the Edmonton Oilers over the Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime.
With three goals in the first period of Game 1, there might be another scoring explosion to start Game 2 on Friday night. Here’s a couple of first goalscorer prop bets to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook for Oilers vs. Panthers tonight.
First goalscorer prop bets for Oilers vs. Panthers Game 2
Oilers pick: Connor McDavid (+950)
This pick certainly requires no introduction. Connor McDavid is the best hockey player on the planet and nobody else even really comes close. He’s clearly the NHL’s top talent, leading all skaters with 28 points this postseason on six goals and 22 assists. While he hasn’t netted a ton of shots himself, he’s still taken 63 in 17 games, the most of any skater by a seven-shot margin. He pressures opponents plenty as one of the most terrifying forces to face, and if he can get out on a breakaway, McDavid will make some magic happen — he nearly always does.
Panthers pick: Sam Bennett (+1600)
While McDavid sits far ahead of any competition in the points department aside from Draisaitl, the Panthers have a player with double the Canadian superstar’s goals. Sam Bennett mucks the game up with his physical play, but he’s also scoring at a red-hot pace. With 12 goals across 18 playoff games, including two in Game 1, Bennett has sounded the horn three more times than anyone else in the postseason field. With the Panthers already facing a deficit in this series, watch for him to come out aggressively in Game 2.
Sleeper pick: Corey Perry (+2200)
Father Time catches up to everyone eventually, but Corey Perry continues to say no every time the sports reaper comes knocking on his door. Perry’s seven goals are the second-most among Edmonton skaters as he shows an incredible knack for getting to his spots on the weak side of the net. He snuck a couple of tap-ins behind the goalie’s back during the Western Conference Final, displaying his ability to score with anticipation of where the puck will wind up. The Oilers skate fast out of the break, but they can score from set offense, too.
