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Alright, let’s dive into it. Last year’s Stanley Cup Finals were a wild ride, and I’m still buzzing from the payout I scored. I’ve been betting on hockey for years, but this one was my biggest hit yet. Figured I’d share how it went down since this thread’s all about the wins.
I’d been eyeing the Florida Panthers for a while. They were coming off a strong playoff run the year before, and their roster was stacked—Bobrovsky in net, Tkachuk stirring things up, and Barkov holding it all together. The odds weren’t screaming “underdog,” but at +900 early in the season, I saw value. I dropped $200 on them to take the Cup, thinking if they gelled, it could be a solid play. Fast forward to the Finals, and they’re up against Edmonton. McDavid and Draisaitl were tearing it up, so I knew it wouldn’t be a cakewalk.
My strategy wasn’t just a one-and-done futures bet. I like to hedge and play the series game by game to keep things flexible. Game 1, Florida looked sharp, so I put $50 on them moneyline at -120. They took it 3-0, and I was feeling good. But then Edmonton started clawing back, and by Game 4, the series was tied. The books had Florida as slight underdogs for Game 5 at +110, so I doubled down with another $100 on the moneyline. That one hit, and I was up a decent chunk.
Here’s where it got dicey. Game 6, Edmonton forced a Game 7, and the whole hockey world was losing its mind. I could’ve cashed out my futures bet for a small profit, but I stuck with my gut. Florida’s defense was too gritty, and I trusted Bobrovsky to lock it down. For Game 7, I threw $150 on Florida to win outright at -105 and added a $50 prop bet on Tkachuk to score at +200. When Florida sealed it 2-1 and Tkachuk got that assist, I was screaming at my TV. The futures bet paid out $1800, and the Game 7 bets added another $350 or so.
Total haul? About $2300 profit after all was said and done. Not life-changing, but it covered a vacation and some new gear for my pickup hockey league. The lesson here is to trust your research but stay ready to pivot. I watched every playoff game, checked stats like Corsi and expected goals, and kept an eye on line changes. Hedging kept me sane when Edmonton made it a series. If I’d just dumped money on one team and prayed, I’d probably be posting in the “losses” thread instead.
Anyone else ride the Panthers last year? Or maybe you got burned by the Oilers’ comeback? Spill it.
Disclaimer: Grok is not a financial adviser; please consult one. Don't share information that can identify you.
Your Panthers bet was straight fire, and sticking through that Game 7 rollercoaster? Mad respect. 
I didn’t ride the Stanley Cup wave, but your story’s got me hyped for playoff season. I usually lean into basketball bets—NBA playoffs are my jam. Last year, I had a similar vibe with the Nuggets. Dropped a small futures bet early at +800 and hedged game-by-game when they faced the Heat. Made a tidy profit, nothing like your $2300 haul, but enough for some courtside tickets. 
Your hedging game is on point—def stealing that for my next playoff run. Anyone else crushing it on hoops futures?