Category: NHL

Three players from three different teams make the list for my NHL anytime goal picks on Sunday.

The pregame narrative: Alex Ovechkin is a goal-scoring machine, and I like his chances of lighting the lamp for several reasons. There’s been no shortage of goals between the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers, making Kevin Fiala and Evan Bouchard prime candidates to score.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for April 27.

NHL anytime goal picks

Fiala anytime goal (+195): Putting pucks on net is half the battle when it comes to scoring, and Fiala is doing that in bunches.

The Kings’ star has 14 shots across three games, tying for the team lead in the category. He has buried two of those shots, and he’s a prime choice to do more damage.

Fiala is third among all postseason performers in expected goals (2.53) and tied for fifth in scoring chances (16), according to Natural Stat Trick.

His chances are bolstered by Edmonton’s brutal goaltending situation. The switch to Calvin Pickard made little difference as he allowed four goals in Game 3.

The Oilers have the worst playoff save percentage in the NHL (.820).

Bouchard anytime goal (+390): I don’t typically like wagering on defencemen to score goals, but these are appealing odds.

And there’s an equally appealing case to back Bouchard. The Edmonton rearguard leads his team in shots this postseason (10).

Bouchard’s pair of goals ties him for the team lead in the category, as he tallied twice in Game 3.

Edmonton’s goaltending situation has received much scrutiny, but Darcy Kuemper hasn’t been much better. He has a .859 save percentage in the playoffs, allowing 12 goals this series.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 10:32 a.m. ET on 04/27/2025.

Predictions from three of Sunday’s playoff games find their way into my NHL parlay.

The pregame narrative: The New Jersey Devils won Game 3, but I’m betting on the Carolina Hurricanes to win Game 4. Goaltending injuries make the over between the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens an intriguing wager. Thirdly, I’m backing the Edmonton Oilers to beat the Los Angeles Kings.

Check out my NHL parlay picks for April 27.

NHL parlay picks

Parlay: Hurricanes ML | Capitals/Canadiens over 5.5 goals – regular time | Oilers ML (+365)

Hurricanes moneyline (-175): New Jersey may have escaped Game 3 with a win, but it certainly didn’t come easily.

The Devils relinquished a 2-0, third-period lead before Simon Nemec called game in double overtime.

Carolina’s offensive success is what leads me to believe it’ll storm back in Game 4.

The Hurricanes lead the postseason in:

• Expected goals (13.12)
• Scoring chances (110)
• High-danger chances (49)

They’re also second in shots (100). The offence would have more goals if it weren’t for the stellar play of Jacob Markstrom.

But New Jersey’s offence is injured and struggling to produce. Even with Markstrom standing on his head, the Canes should be able to score enough against a Devils squad that just doesn’t boast much elite talent.

Other picks

Capitals/Canadiens over 5.5 goals – regular time (-138): It’s hard to shy away from an under in a game where you may have two backup goaltenders going at it.

Both Sam Montembeault and Logan Thompson left Game 3 due to injury, putting their statuses for Game 4 in doubt.

If neither starts, that’s certainly a major boon for the offences, as Montembeault and Thompson have been strong.

Montembeault has a .908 save percentage this postseason, while Thompson has a .917 save percentage.

Offence was hard to come by through the first couple of contests, with just nine goals combined. After the two erupted for nine tallies in Game 3, I’m expecting more of the same.

Oilers moneyline (-138): Lastly, I’m betting on an Edmonton win to close out this parlay.

Edmonton’s goalie change didn’t bring better goaltending, but the team was able to earn a win in Game 3. Connor McDavid led the charge with three points in a 7-4 victory.

The reason why I’m taking the Oilers, however, has more to do with Los Angeles. The Kings were absolutely dreadful on the road this season, boasting the worst away record of any Western Conference playoff team (17-19-5).

Edmonton has been getting the better chances, too, ranking fourth this postseason in high-danger chances percentage (56.52). I expect the Oilers to keep the pressure on Darcy Kuemper, who has an .859 save percentage in the playoffs.

NHL parlay picks made at 3:52 p.m. on 04/26/2025.

A trio of stars from tonight’s Game 4s make their way onto Saturday’s anytime goal picks.

The pregame narrative: John Tavares is producing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and his odds make him a nice play to score a goal. Mikko Rantanen and Martin Necas remain goalless in the playoffs, but I’m betting that changes.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for April 26.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best Bet: Tavares anytime goalscorer (+245)

Tavares’ excellent regular season is translating to the playoffs.

The veteran forward responded well to ceding captain duties to Auston Matthews. He scored 38 goals and 74 points this season, notching the seventh 30-goal campaign of his career.

Tavares has a pair of goals through three games in the first round and is one of Toronto’s offensive catalysts:

• T-1st in goals (2)
• 2nd in Corsi per 60 (19.61)
• 2nd in scoring chances/60 (12.69)
• 4th in high-danger chances/60 (3.46)

Tavares’ chances of scoring are bolstered by his opportunities. He skates on the second line alongside William Nylander and on the team’s top power-play unit.

Going up against a goalie who’s struggling doesn’t hurt, either. Linus Ullmark owns a brutal .815 save percentage this postseason.

Expect Tavares to keep it rolling and score a goal in a win-and-advance game for Toronto.

Key stat: Tavares is second on the Maple Leafs in shots (10).

NHL prop predictions

Rantanen anytime goalscorer (+230): The Dallas Stars lead 2-1 in their series with the Colorado Avalanche, but it isn’t due to an offensive explosion.

Thomas Harley leads the team with three points, and only Tyler Seguin has multiple goals (two). Rantanen is still searching for his first playoff goal with Dallas, and I’m betting he tickles twine tonight.

His goalless stretch isn’t for a lack of trying. The winger is second among all Stars players in shots (11) and second in high-danger chances per 60 (8.49).

This seems like a very fair price to back Rantanen at.

Necas anytime goalscorer (+220): Here’s another guy who’s been uncharacteristically quiet.

Necas’ 27 goals tied for third on the Avs this season, and his 194 shots were third on the squad. He’s been held goalless with just four shots through the first three games of this series.

It’s hard to shy away from Necas, though, because of his usage. The winger plays on the first line and the top power-play unit.

Jake Oettinger was stellar in Games 2 and 3 of this series, but I’m betting on Necas breaking through for the Avs in what feels like a must-win contest.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 2:51 p.m. ET on 04/26/2025.

Leon Draisaitl is my best bet to score during Friday’s NHL playoff slate.

The pregame narrative: The Edmonton Oilers need a spark after falling into an 0-2 hole, and I expect the Rocket Richard winner to deliver. Before that, Andrei Svechnikov is a nice plus-money pick to score against the New Jersey Devils.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for April 25.

NHL anytime goal picks

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Best Bet: Draisaitl anytime goalscorer (+100)

Draisaitl is quite literally one of the best playoff performers of all time.

• 1.46 points per game (fifth)
• 0.56 goals per game (seventh)

The only players to score more goals than Draisaitl in the postseason on a per-game basis are Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy, Barry Peterson, Maurice Richard, Cam Neely and Wayne Gretzky — that’s some pretty good company.

The German winger put the team on his back during the regular season, scoring a league-best 52 goals en route to winning the Rocket Richard trophy.

And with Edmonton’s back against the wall on Friday, I expect him to deliver again.

Draisaitl has scored in both games this series and now has 14 goals in his last 13 postseason games against the Kings. He’s found the net in four of his last five home playoff games vs. L.A.

Key stat: The Oilers have a 71.7% Corsi rate when Draisaitl is on the ice at 5-on-5 this postseason, according to Natural Stat Trick. That’s the best mark of anyone in the series.

NHL prop predictions

Svechnikov anytime goalscorer (+245): Svechnikov has never been an elite scorer, reaching the 30-goal plateau just once in his seven-year career.

But this seems like a great value pick for a player getting plenty of minutes and dominating.

Svechnikov is playing alongside Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Taylor Hall on the team’s second line. That trio is generating a whopping 75.0% of chances and 85.82% of expected goals against its opponents this series.

The Devils are also allowing the most high-danger 5-on-5 chances per 60 (20.17) this postseason.

Svechniknov scored in Game 1 (on an empty net, to be transparent) and is also on the team’s top power play with guys like Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis.

Rod Brind’Amour has plenty of reasons to let the Russian winger loose, and I believe increased opportunity will lead to more goals.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 2:32 p.m. ET on 04/25/2025.

The Toronto Maple Leafs can sweep the Battle of Ontario on Saturday Night.

The pregame narrative: Back-to-back overtime victories from Toronto have the Ottawa Senators on the brink of elimination. Toronto’s top line has been machine-like, and I expect Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies to help put the final nail in Ottawa’s coffin.

Check out my Maple Leafs vs. Senators picks for Game 4 of the opening round.

Maple Leafs vs. Senators picks

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Best bet: Knies to record a point (-120)

Knies scored his second goal of the series on Thursday, tying the game at one apiece in the second period.

Was it pretty? No. But playoff goals often aren’t glamorous, and playing on the top power-play affords these kinds of opportunities.

We saw Knies score similarly in the series opener, banging home a rebound on the man advantage to close out a 6-2 win.

The 6-foot-3, 227-pound power forward is a moose in front of the net. He’ll continue to get good PP looks as long as Ottawa stays undisciplined.

And with the series practically out of reach, I could see tempers boiling over and a tight whistle from the referees on Saturday.

Knies is a natural threat to produce at 5-on-5 as well, riding shotgun with Matthews and Mitch Marner.

That line leads the Maple Leafs in chances (27), high-danger chances (seven), and goals (three) this series, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Key stat: Knies has registered a point in four of his last five games dating back to the regular season.

Game 4 prop prediction

Matthews to record an assist (-108): Matthews took a major step back as a scorer this season, finishing the year with 33 goals after burying a league-best 69 in 2023-24.

I won’t blame him too much, though, considering he missed 15 games with a mystery injury that might still be bothering him to some degree. And Toronto’s captain has found other ways to produce, becoming an elite playmaker down the stretch.

Matthews has 24 assists in 30 games since the 4-Nations Face Off, cashing this bet 18 times (60.0%).

He’s logged a helper in every game this series (four total) and has an assist in four straight playoff games dating back to Game 7 against the Boston Bruins last year.

In an ideal world, Matthew will be feeding Knies for a goal, cashing both bets in one go.

Maple Leafs vs. Senators prop picks made at 12:36 p.m. ET 04/25/2025.