Contributing Writer

Jets vs. Blues Game 3 prop picks: Cole Perfetti primed for another big performance

The Winnipeg Jets take a 2-0 series lead on the road to visit the St. Louis Blues.

The pregame narrative: Cole Perfetti is currently breaking out as one of the Jets’ top forwards. I’m backing the newly minted right winger to find his way on the score sheet. Jordan Kyrou’s shots prop has my attention, too.

Check out my Jets vs. Blues prop picks for Game 3 of this first-round matchup in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Blues vs. Jets prop picks

Best Bet: Perfetti to score 1+ points (+118)

The 23-year-old recorded his first career playoff point on Monday, getting the assist on Kyle Connor’s game-winning goal in the third period.

Perfetti had a career year, scoring 50 points while lacing up for the full 82 games.

However, I want to split his season into two to showcase how good he’s been since late January:

First 49 games: 25 points
Last 33 games: 25 points

As the year carried on, Perfetti found his groove, solidifying a solid floor as a point producer.

In response, Scott Arniel promoted the young gun up to the second line to play alongside Nino Niederreiter and Vladislav Namestnikov.

He also finds himself on the top power-play unit with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Both of whom finished in the top 17 in the NHL for points.

Key stat: Perfetti has 10 points in 12 career games vs. the Blues.

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Quick picks

Kyrou over 2.5 shots (-124): I went with this pick for Game 2, and Kyrou finished one shot shy of this mark.

But that won’t discourage me from jumping back on the wagon based on some solid underlying stats.

Kyrou led the Blues with 239 shots this season (2.9 per game).

He reached this total in nine of his past 11 games, including the playoffs.

He was slightly more productive at home, too. His shots per game inflated to 3.1 when playing in St. Louis.

The Jets averaged the fewest goals against this season (2.32) but the 10th fewest shots (27.2).

Thankfully, Kyrou doesn’t have to beat Connor Hellebuyck to cash this wager. Instead, he only has to pepper a few shots on target in a must-win Game 3.

Blues vs. Jets prop picks made at 11:07 a.m. ET 04/24/2025.

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NHL playoff anytime goalscorer picks April 24: Ride with Kirill Kaprizov during hot streak

The NHL playoffs roll into Thursday and I have multiple goalscorer picks from the action.

The pregame narrative: Kirill Kaprizov is dominating again for the Minnesota Wild. I’ll back him to keep his momentum flowing with a goal on Thursday. I also have a pick on Brayden Point from the earlier game.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for April 24.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best Bet: Kaprizov anytime goalscorer (+115)

Kaprizov has been an elite goalscorer since entering the NHL in 2020. This season, he scored a career-low 25 goals, but he only played 41 games due to injury.

He scored 40-plus goals in each of the three previous seasons and has scored 0.58 goals per game throughout his career.

For context, all-time leading goalscorer Alex Ovechkin has averaged 0.60 goals per game during his career.

Kaprizov is the X-factor on the Wild’s roster. The team went 25-13-3 with the electric winger in the lineup and 20-17-4 without him.

And that has transferred into the postseason. The Wild stole Game 2 in Vegas behind two goals and an assist from “Kirill the Thrill.” He also had two helpers in the opening contest.

If Kaprizov was healthy for the whole season, he undoubtedly would’ve finished near the top of the NHL for scoring. His 0.61 goals per game ranked third behind only Ovechkin and Leon Draisaitl.

Key stat: Including the playoffs, Kaprizov has four goals in three games vs. the Golden Knights this season.

NHL prop predictions

Point anytime goalscorer (+162): Point has quietly been one of the NHL’s top producers over recent years.

The centreman has recorded at least 40 goals and a point-per-game pace over the past three seasons.

His 42-goal campaign in 2024-25 was actually a down year compared to his 46 and 51 goals the years prior.

But he still ranked sixth in the NHL in goals.

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost their opening game to the Florida Panthers, 6-2, but Point potted one of his team’s two goals.

Tampa ranked first in the NHL in scoring (3.56 goals per game), so an uptick in offence will be expected in what should be considered a must-win game at home.

The Panthers got some key pieces back (e.g. Matthew Tkachuk) but struggled down the stretch, going 3-7 and allowing 2.9 goals per game over their final 10 games.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 10:53 a.m. ET on 04/24/2025.

NHL playoff anytime goalscorer picks April 24: Ride with Kirill Kaprizov during hot streak

The NHL playoffs roll into Thursday and I have multiple goalscorer picks from the action.

The pregame narrative: Kirill Kaprizov is dominating again for the Minnesota Wild. I’ll back him to keep his momentum flowing with a goal on Thursday. I also have a pick on Brayden Point from the earlier game.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for April 24.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best Bet: Kaprizov anytime goalscorer (+125)

Kaprizov has been an elite goalscorer since entering the NHL in 2020. This season, he scored a career-low 25 goals, but he only played 41 games due to injury.

He scored 40-plus goals in each of the three previous seasons and has scored 0.58 goals per game throughout his career.

For context, all-time leading goalscorer Alex Ovechkin has averaged 0.60 goals per game during his career.

Kaprizov is the X-factor on the Wild’s roster. The team went 25-13-3 with the electric winger in the lineup and 20-17-4 without him.

And that has transferred into the postseason. The Wild stole Game 2 in Vegas behind two goals and an assist from “Kirill the Thrill.” He also had two helpers in the opening contest.

If Kaprizov was healthy for the whole season, he undoubtedly would’ve finished near the top of the NHL for scoring. His 0.61 goals per game ranked third behind only Ovechkin and Leon Draisaitl.

Key stat: Including the playoffs, Kaprizov has four goals in three games vs. the Golden Knights this season.

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NHL prop predictions

Point anytime goalscorer (+145): Point has quietly been one of the NHL’s top producers over recent years.

The centreman has recorded at least 40 goals and a point-per-game pace over the past three seasons.

His 42-goal campaign in 2024-25 was actually a down year compared to his 46 and 51 goals the years prior.

But he still ranked sixth in the NHL in goals.

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost their opening game to the Florida Panthers, 6-2, but Point potted one of his team’s two goals.

Tampa ranked first in the NHL in scoring (3.56 goals per game), so an uptick in offence will be expected in what should be considered a must-win game at home.

The Panthers got some key pieces back (e.g. Matthew Tkachuk) but struggled down the stretch, going 3-7 and allowing 2.9 goals per game over their final 10 games.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 9:20 a.m. ET on 04/24/2025.

Leafs vs. Senators prop picks Game 3: Target Auston Matthews and Brady Tkachuk

The Toronto Maple Leafs hold a 2-0 series lead in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

The pregame narrative: Auston Matthews is without a goal so far, but I predict that will change in Game 3. My best bet for the game, however, is on Brady Tkachuk.

Check out my Maple Leafs vs. Senators prop picks for Game 3 of the opening round.

Maple Leafs vs. Senators picks

Best bet: Tkachuk over 3.5 shots (-143)

Toronto is up 2-0, but the team has been heavily outshot in this series.

Game 1: Ottawa outshot Toronto, 33-24
Game 2: Ottawa outshot Toronto, 28-21

Tkachuk easily cleared this line in both games, recording five shots in each. Now, the Senators return home, where they are 27-11-3 this season.

The Leafs allowed the eighth-most shots per game this year (29.3). Even though a lot of those are low-quality chances, the result is the same for this wager.

Tkachuk played north of 20 minutes in Game 2, which is well above his average (18:14).

Put it all together, and you’ve got a handful of compelling reasons why Ottawa’s captain should continue to generate offence.

Key stat: Tkachuk led the league with 4.11 shots per game during the regular season.

Game 3 prop prediction

Matthews anytime goalscorer (+125): I think Leafs fans would agree that it’s time for Matthews to get on the board as a scorer.

Although he only has two goals in his last 10 games vs. Ottawa, this is a matchup the Leafs’ captain has historically dominated.

Matthews has played 37 games against the Sens in his career and has 25 goals and 26 assists in those meetings.

He has 102 goals since the beginning of last season, which leads the NHL.

It’s not that Matthews hasn’t been productive. He has three assists and nine shots through Games 1-2.

He should be out there for 20-plus minutes with some added opportunities on a red-hot power play that’s 4-for-6 in this series.

It’s only a matter of time before Matthews is on the receiving end of an assist rather than vice versa.

Maple Leafs vs. Senators prop picks made at 4:00 p.m. ET 04/23/2025.

Oilers vs. Kings prop picks Game 2: Look for Zach Hyman to light the lamp

The Edmonton Oilers look to even the series with the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night.

The pregame narrative: The Oilers fell short in their comeback effort in Game 1. I expect another high-scoring game, so I’ll back Edmonton’s Zach Hyman and L.A.’s Kevin Fiala to generate offence.

Check out my Oilers vs. Kings prop picks for Game 2 of the opening round.

Oilers vs. Kings prop picks

Best Bet: Hyman anytime goalscorer (+210)

Hyman was cold against the Kings in the regular season, going goalless in three games, but the playoffs have been a different story.

He scored in the opening game and had a spectacular first-round series against L.A. in 2024:

5 games
7 goals
4-1 against this wager

Hyman scored a disappointing 27 goals in 73 games this season. But the Oilers rely heavily on Connor McDavid in the playoffs, and his first-line winger is a huge beneficiary of that.

He also plays on the top power-play unit that includes Leon Draisaitl. That should provide a lot of opportunities for the winger to bang in another goal.

This isn’t a line bettors would’ve gotten after his 54-goal campaign last year, so I want to take advantage before he gets hot.

Key stat: Hyman had 17 goals in 26 playoff games during Edmonton’s run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024.

Quick picks

Fiala to score 1+ points (-154): The Oilers and Kings have combined for 46 goals in their last six postseason meetings (7.6 goals per game).

That’s led to inflated stats across the board. In Game 1, Fiala scored a goal on six shots and tallied an assist in a 6-5 win for the Kings.

The 28-year-old winger had a down year, recording 60 points in 81 games. Most players dream of 60-point seasons, but it’s a step back for Fiala, who had 70-plus points in the three previous seasons.

That includes an 85-point run with the Minnesota Wild in 2021-22. His track record as a point producer is well documented.

Since Feb. 1, Fiala has tallied 33 points in 34 games.

Oilers vs. Kings prop picks made at 3:30 p.m. ET 04/23/2025.

Leafs vs. Senators prop picks Game 3: Target Auston Matthews and Brady Tkachuk

The Toronto Maple Leafs hold a 2-0 series lead in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

The pregame narrative: Auston Matthews is without a goal so far, but I predict that will change in Game 3. My best bet for the game, however, is on Brady Tkachuk.

Check out my Maple Leafs vs. Senators prop picks for Game 3 of the opening round.

Maple Leafs vs. Senators picks

Best bet: Tkachuk over 3.5 shots (-136)

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Toronto is up 2-0, but the team has been heavily outshot in this series.

Game 1: Ottawa outshot Toronto, 33-24
Game 2: Ottawa outshot Toronto, 28-21

Tkachuk easily cleared this line in both games, recording five shots in each. Now, the Senators return home, where they are 27-11-3 this season.

The Leafs allowed the eighth-most shots per game this year (29.3). Even though a lot of those are low-quality chances, the result is the same for this wager.

Tkachuk played north of 20 minutes in Game 2, which is well above his average (18:14).

Put it all together, and you’ve got a handful of compelling reasons why Ottawa’s captain should continue to generate offence.

Key stat: Tkachuk led the league with 4.11 shots per game during the regular season.

Game 3 prop prediction

Matthews anytime goalscorer (+118): I think Leafs fans would agree that it’s time for Matthews to get on the board as a scorer.

Although he only has two goals in his last 10 games vs. Ottawa, this is a matchup the Leafs’ captain has historically dominated.

Matthews has played 37 games against the Sens in his career and has 25 goals and 26 assists in those meetings.

He has 102 goals since the beginning of last season, which leads the NHL.

It’s not that Matthews hasn’t been productive. He has three assists and nine shots through Games 1-2.

He should be out there for 20-plus minutes with some added opportunities on a red-hot power play that’s 4-for-6 in this series.

It’s only a matter of time before Matthews is on the receiving end of an assist rather than vice versa.

Maple Leafs vs. Senators prop picks made at 2:10 p.m. ET 04/23/2025.

Oilers vs. Kings prop picks Game 2: Look for Zach Hyman to light the lamp

The Edmonton Oilers look to even the series with the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night.

The pregame narrative: The Oilers fell short in their comeback effort in Game 1. I expect another high-scoring game, so I’ll back Edmonton’s Zach Hyman and L.A.’s Kevin Fiala to generate offence.

Check out my Oilers vs. Kings prop picks for Game 2 of the opening round.

Oilers vs. Kings prop picks

Best Bet: Hyman anytime goalscorer (+190)

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Hyman was cold against the Kings in the regular season, going goalless in three games, but the playoffs have been a different story.

He scored in the opening game and had a spectacular first-round series against L.A. in 2024:

5 games
7 goals
4-1 against this wager

Hyman scored a disappointing 27 goals in 73 games this season. But the Oilers rely heavily on Connor McDavid in the playoffs, and his first-line winger is a huge beneficiary of that.

He also plays on the top power-play unit that includes Leon Draisaitl. That should provide a lot of opportunities for the winger to bang in another goal.

This isn’t a line bettors would’ve gotten after his 54-goal campaign last year, so I want to take advantage before he gets hot.

Key stat: Hyman had 17 goals in 26 playoff games during Edmonton’s run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024.

Quick picks

Fiala to score 1+ points (-132): The Oilers and Kings have combined for 46 goals in their last six postseason meetings (7.6 goals per game).

That’s led to inflated stats across the board. In Game 1, Fiala scored a goal on six shots and tallied an assist in a 6-5 win for the Kings.

The 28-year-old winger had a down year, recording 60 points in 81 games. Most players dream of 60-point seasons, but it’s a step back for Fiala, who had 70-plus points in the three previous seasons.

That includes an 85-point run with the Minnesota Wild in 2021-22. His track record as a point producer is well documented.

Since Feb. 1, Fiala has tallied 33 points in 34 games.

Oilers vs. Kings prop picks made at 11:30 a.m. ET 04/23/2025.

NHL playoff anytime goalscorer picks April 23: Bet on Wyatt Johnston to score his first of the postseason

I have goalscorer picks from two NHL playoff games on Wednesday.

The pregame narrative: Wyatt Johnston was the unsung hero for the Dallas Stars in the playoffs last season. I’ll bet on him to find the back of the net in Game 3, while taking a shot on Cole Caufield to do the same.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for April 23.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best Bet: Caufield anytime goalscorer (+175)

Caufield led the Montreal Canadiens with a career-high 37 goals this season.

He was one of the Habs’ most important players in Game 1, scoring a goal and playing over 20 minutes. The winger also had five of his team’s 35 shots.

If Game 2 goes anything like that, Caufield will have plenty of chances to score again.

It’s the playoffs, and the Canadiens are a young, top-heavy team. They should continue to rely on their No. 1 line to pick up more shifts.

Washington finished atop the Eastern Conference, but April was a different story.

The Capitals went 4-5 in the final nine games of the regular season, allowing an average of 4.0 goals over that time.

Montreal appeared to be up for the challenge in the opening game, and I think this will be a competitive series.

Key stat: Including Monday, Caufield has scored in all four games vs. the Capitals this season.

NHL prop predictions

Johnston anytime goalscorer (+225): Dallas’ top dogs were pretty quiet in the Stars’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 2.

Johnston did grab an assist, but it’s time for the young gun to light the lamp in this series.

In the final 27 games following the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, Johnston had 17 goals and went 15-12 against this wager.

Dallas had a solid 22-16-3 record at home this season as well, so the Stars should come out firing.

Johnston had 10 goals in 19 games during Dallas’ postseason run in 2024.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 9:27 a.m. ET on 04/23/2025.

NHL playoff anytime goalscorer picks April 23: Bet on Wyatt Johnston to score his first of the postseason

I have goalscorer picks from two NHL playoff games on Wednesday.

The pregame narrative: Wyatt Johnston was the unsung hero for the Dallas Stars in the playoffs last season. I’ll bet on him to find the back of the net in Game 3, while taking a shot on Cole Caufield to do the same.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for April 23.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best Bet: Caufield anytime goalscorer (+210)

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