Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Stuart Skinner to Continue to Struggle in Net

With the Florida Panthers getting the win in game three on the road, they are now just one more victory away from completing the sweep and hoisting up the Stanley Cup trophy. Well deserved as they have outplayed the Oilers in a majority of the series outside of a lackluster game one performance. Even while sleepwalking, the Panthers offense still managed to score against the lowly Stuart Skinner who has continued to underwhelm in the Oilers net. Expect more of the same, getting to fade Skinner one last time before the Panthers finish the series out.

As for where to wager on NHL player props, the BetMGM sportsbook has been the front runner for the market as they offer an abundance of props for us to choose from. If you have not signed up yet with the BetMGM sportsbook and are looking to wager on game four, you can get up to $1,500 in bonus bets back if your first bet loses with the WSN promo code WSNMGM. Also be sure to collect as many sportsbooks as you can get in order to line shop the very volatile market, as well as receive more signup bonuses in order to boost your bankroll to wager with during the Stanley Cup Finals.

Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers - Game 4 Prop Bets (8:00 PM, EST)

Stuart Skinner Over 2.5 Goals Against (-130) at BetMGM

If there has been one constant factor throughout the Stanley Cup Finals, it’s been Stuart Skinner continuing to struggle while defending the Oilers net. Not only a constant theme throughout the Finals, but Skinner has been a consistent thorn in the Oilers side throughout the whole NHL Playoffs. His level of play has gotten so bad to the point where the Oilers benched him during their second round series against the Vancouver Canucks.

While he did manage to string together a hot stretch of play against the Dallas Stars in the back half of their series, Skinner has seemingly fallen back down to reality against the Florida Panthers. In all three games this series, Skinner has conceded a negative mark in Goals Saved Above Expected with game three finishing at -1.22. That indicates low quality Shots on Goal are getting past him at a consistent rate, being prone to getting scored against anytime the Panthers manage to pepper him.

That spells doom for the Oilers, especially since the Panthers offense has seemingly rounded back into form after a poor game one performance. They finished game three with an Expected Goal of 4.48, nearly three more than their game one mark. The Panthers offense have been a consistently great unit throughout the course of the year, ranking top-5 in Expected Goals For in 5-on-5 situations, and are now looking the part after two great offensive performances. Expect Skinner to continue to struggle in net as the Panthers relentless offensive assault breaks him down.

Bet on Skinner over 2.5 goals (-130) at BetMGM

Connor McDavid Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-114) at BetRivers

While Connor McDavid has been quiet in the scoring department during the Stanley Cup Finals, he at least has been aggressive in his efforts to put the puck on net as he has resided at the top of the Oilers board in Expected Goals. In three games played, McDavid has finished each contest with an Expected Goal of 0.81, 0.34, and 0.73. Those come off of six Shots on Goal in game one, three in game two, and five in game three.

While this normally spells positive regression looming for him to score a goal, it’s tough to back a short number against Sergei Bobrovsky. I will instead play the over on his Shots on Goal prop as we may see an increase in his minutes, as well as a more urgency out of him in an attempt to extend this series. Knowing that he is receiving little help from Skinner, the Oilers top line will need to come out aggressive and set a blistering fast pace to apply pressure to Florida’s back line. This will force the Panthers to try and match them in transition, potentially opening up holes in their coverage for McDavid to blitz through and generate a Shot on Goal.

Bet on McDavid over 3.5 goals (-130) at BetMGM

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