Category: NHL

Alex Ovechkin odds to score goal No. 895 vs. Islanders: Betting lines to pass Wayne Gretzky for all-time NHL record 

Alex Ovechkin goal odds

Alex Ovechkin just needs one more. His quest to stand alone as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer could end on Sunday against the New York Islanders.

The pregame narrative: Ovechkin potted two goals on Friday night at home against the Chicago Blackhawks, bringing his career goal total (894) even with Wayne Gretzky. Is today the day Ovi passes the Great One for good?

Check out our Alex Ovechkin goal odds for the April 6 matchup vs. the Islanders.

Alex Ovechkin goal odds

MarketOdds
Over 0.5 goals-108
Under 0.5 goals-130

Alex Ovechkin goal odds as of 10:30 a.m. on 04/06/2025.

Gretzky’s 894 career NHL goals came in 1,487 games.

Ovechkin, sitting at 894 career goals as well, can set the record on Sunday in his 1,487th game.

That’s only possible because of the latest rampage the Russian superstar has been on this month:

  • 1+ goals in four straight games
  • 11 goals in March (17 games)

Ovechkin has -108 odds to score, which seems reasonable based on his track record this season. He has scored in 55.0% of games (33 of 60), while the implied probability on this line is 51.9%.

It might be worth considering how Ovechkin wants to break the record, though.

He’s already made it clear he doesn’t want to score the 895th goal on an empty net. Would he be satisfied breaking the record on the road rather than in front of a home crowd?

That might be overthinking things a bit, but the Caps do play two of three at home after Sunday’s matchup on Long Island.

Assuming Ovechkin is in go-mode as long as a goalie is in the crease, the Islanders look like a good matchup for him.

In their past 25 games, the Isles have allowed the ninth-most goals per 60 (3.40) as well as the second-most xGA/60 (3.45), per Natural Stat Trick.

Ovechkin hasn’t had much recent success against New York, but he also hasn’t faced the division foe all year.

Key stat: Ovechkin has only scored in one of his past seven games against the Islanders (since January 2023).

Alex Ovechkin odds to score goal No. 895 vs. Islanders: Betting lines to pass Wayne Gretzky for all-time NHL record 

Alex Ovechkin goal odds

Alex Ovechkin just needs one more. His quest to stand alone as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer could end on Sunday against the New York Islanders.

The pregame narrative: Ovechkin potted two goals on Friday night at home against the Chicago Blackhawks, bringing his career goal total (894) even with Wayne Gretzky. Is today the day Ovi passes the Great One for good?

Check out our Alex Ovechkin goal odds for the April 6 matchup vs. the Islanders.

Alex Ovechkin goal odds

Embed: #112171

Gretzky’s 894 career NHL goals came in 1,487 games.

Ovechkin, sitting at 894 career goals as well, can set the record on Sunday in his 1,487th game.

That’s only possible because of the latest rampage the Russian superstar has been on this month:

  • 1+ goals in four straight games
  • 11 goals in March (17 games)

Ovechkin has -115 odds to score, which seems reasonable based on his track record this season. He has scored in 55.0% of games (33 of 60), while the implied probability on this line is 53.5%.

It might be worth considering how Ovechkin wants to break the record, though.

He’s already made it clear he doesn’t want to score the 895th goal on an empty net. Would he be satisfied breaking the record on the road rather than in front of a home crowd?

That might be overthinking things a bit, but the Caps do play two of three at home after Sunday’s matchup on Long Island.

Assuming Ovechkin is in go-mode as long as a goalie is in the crease, the Islanders look like a good matchup for him.

In their past 25 games, the Isles have allowed the ninth-most goals per 60 (3.40) as well as the second-most xGA/60 (3.45), per Natural Stat Trick.

Ovechkin hasn’t had much recent success against New York, but he also hasn’t faced the division foe all year.

Key stat: Ovechkin has only scored in one of his past seven games against the Islanders (since January 2023).

Ovechkin goal odds: Method of the record-breaker

MethodOdds
Even strength-335
Power play+200
Shorthanded+5,000
Doesn’t score No. 895 in ’24-25 regular season+5,000

With six Washington Capitals games left on the schedule, it’s highly unlikely that Ovechkin finishes the year empty-handed.

And although he’s the NHL’s all-team leader in power-play goals (324), it’s fair to see his even strength odds sitting at a much shorter price.

After all, the grand majority of Ovi’s ice time will come at even strength. And only 12 of his 41 goals this season happened on the power play.

Record-breaking goal odds: Opposing team

TeamOdds
New York Islanders-200
Carolina Hurricanes+300
Columbus Blue Jackets+350
Pittsburgh Penguins+4,000
Doesn’t score No. 895 in ’24-25 regular season+5,000

The Islanders are obvious favourites in this market, and not just because Ovechkin faces them on Sunday.

If he doesn’t score today, the winger will see New York again next Tuesday (April 15) back on Long Island.

There are three additional games between now and April 15, though: vs. Hurricanes, at Blue Jackets and vs. Blue Jackets.

Washington’s regular season finale, on April 17, is on the road against the Penguins. But it’s a long shot to think the record will remain unbroken by then.

Alex Ovechkin goal odds as of 9:10 a.m. on 04/06/2025.

Maple Leafs prop pick vs. Blue Jackets April 5: Bet Toronto’s Mitch Marner to produce on power play

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets square off on Saturday in a game that carries weight for both squads.

The pregame narrative: Wins matter for Toronto as it aims to stay first in the Atlantic Division. Top players should shine in a meaningful matchup, making Mitch Marner a solid choice to score a power-play point.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Blue Jackets for April 5.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Blue Jackets

Best Bet: Marner to score a power-play point (+195)

This isn’t a market I typically indulge in but I do like the setup for Saturday night.

Marner is on an absolute tear and coming off arguably his most impactful performance of the season. The Maple Leafs winger produced two points — a goal and a gorgeous assist — in a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers.

That was a thing of beauty.

But Marner’s standout performance against the Panthers isn’t an isolated incident. He has three goals and 10 points across his last nine games, including five power-play points during this stretch.

Columbus’ struggling penalty kill is why I’m targeting this prop in particular.

The Blue Jackets rank 24th on the PK this season (75.5%).

Toronto’s power play, meanwhile, is firing on all cylinders. The Maple Leafs sit second on the man advantage across the last month, clicking at a 39.4% success rate.

Key stat: Marner leads the Maple Leafs with 32 power-play points this season.

Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets prop pick made at 10:13 a.m. ET 04/05/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Blue Jackets April 5: Bet on Toronto’s Mitch Marner to produce on power play

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets square off on Saturday in a game that carries weight for both squads.

The pregame narrative: Wins matter for Toronto as it aims to stay first in the Atlantic Division. Columbus needs to keep pace in the playoff race. Top players should shine in a meaningful matchup, making Mitch Marner a solid choice to score a power-play point and Zach Werenski a nice pick to top his shot prop.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Blue Jackets for April 5.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Blue Jackets

Best Bet: Marner to score a power-play point (+185)

Embed: #112147

This isn’t a market I typically indulge in but I do like the setup for Saturday night.

Marner is on an absolute tear and coming off arguably his most impactful performance of the season. The Maple Leafs winger produced two points — a goal and a gorgeous assist — in a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers.

That was a thing of beauty.

But Marner’s standout performance against the Panthers isn’t an isolated incident. He has three goals and 10 points across his last nine games, including five power-play points during this stretch.

Columbus’ struggling penalty kill is why I’m targeting this prop in particular.

The Blue Jackets rank 24th on the PK this season (75.5%).

Toronto’s power play, meanwhile, is firing on all cylinders. The Maple Leafs sit second on the man advantage across the last month, clicking at a 39.4% success rate.

Key stat: Marner leads the Maple Leafs with 32 power-play points this season.

Quick pick

Werenski over 3.5 shots (+140): This is a big line for most defencemen.

But Weresnki isn’t playing like most defencemen. The Columbus superstar has been incredible this campaign.

Here’s how he ranks in several key stats among all blueliners:

  • T-2nd in assists (54)
  • Second in points (74)
  • First in shots (269)

The latter is certainly the most important for this prop.

And he’s in fine form ahead of Saturday’s showdown. Werenski has topped this mark in four consecutive games and seven of his last eight.

What makes this an even more intriguing wager is the matchup. Toronto has done a poor job of limiting opposing shot totals.

The Maple Leafs are surrendering the eighth-most shots per game (29.4). They’re heading in the wrong direction, too, ceding the fifth-most shots per contest over the last month (30.1).

Werenski topped this total in each of his two appearances against Toronto this season (11 total shots). Expect him to be the Blue Jackets’ driving offensive force as they try to squeak into a wild-card spot.

Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets prop picks made at 10:13 a.m. ET 04/05/2025.

Alexander Ovechkin odds to break NHL goal record: Capitals star ties Wayne Gretzky’s mark, chance to break it on Sunday

ovechkin goals record

Alexander Ovechkin has tied Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record.

The pregame narrative: The Great 8 fired home a pair of goals on Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks and sits shoulder-and-shoulder with Gretzky for the most all time with 894. With only six games left, it’s a matter of when Ovechkin will have that title to himself.

Check out the latest Ovechkin goal record odds below.

Ovechkin goal record odds

Note: Betting lines are unavailable as of 12:30 p.m. on April 5.

When Gretzky retired, all of his records seemed untouchable. Now, Ovechkin is one goal away from dethroning him as the league’s all-time leading goalscorer.

The “Great Eight” was shot out of a cannon to start the season, burying 15 goals in 18 games before breaking his fibula on Nov. 18. When that happened, it seemed hockey fans would have to wait another season to see the unthinkable.

But Ovechkin isn’t a typical 39-year-old.

He somehow only missed 16 games and picked up right where he left off, scoring 26 goals in his last 42 games, scoring this goal agianst the Blackhawks to make history:

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1908330325085659569

Ovechkin has six chances to pass the Great One before the playoffs start.

How will Ovechkin pass Gretzky?

If you want to bet on how Ovechkin to pass Gretzky, there are some plus-money options available.

You can back No. 8 to score at even strength or on the power play, or pick the team he will do it against.

Full list of teams and complete Ovechkin betting markets.

Ovechkin’s next shot will be against the New York Islanders on April 6.

NHL odds as of 12:30 p.m. on 04/05/25.

Maple Leafs props vs. Panthers April 2: Picks on teammates William Nylander and John Tavares

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs look to hold the top spot in the Atlantic Division as they face one of their challengers, the Florida Panthers.

The pregame narrative: John Tavares looks like his prime self at the moment, and I’m taking a shot on his goalscorer prop at plus money. I’m also tailing William Nylander in my best bet.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Panthers for April 2.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Panthers

Best Bet: Nylander over 2.5 shots (-134)

This is a tough matchup, no doubt, but there are still a few reasons to like this over:

  • Nylander averages well over this mark with 3.20 shots per game this season. That ranks 16th in the NHL.
  • He’s 9-5 against this line over the past 14 games.
  • On March 13 vs. the Panthers, Nylander tallied a team-high six shots (out of Toronto’s 25 total).

On a nightly basis, the Swedish winger has to share opportunities with Auston Matthews and other high-octane offensive talents.

But he continues to shine through, leading Toronto in both shots (237) and goals (42) this season.

Matthews’ shot total is set at 3.5 for a similar price, so I’ll buy in on Nylander instead.

Key stat: Nylander has tallied three-plus shots in both games against Florida this season.

Quick pick

Tavares anytime goalscorer (+170): I love the value here on the red-hot former captain.

Tavares has been the Leafs’ best player lately, scoring eight goals in his past six games.

He was held pointless against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, but he notched 11 points in the five games before that.

If Tavares was due for a down game, it just happened, so I’m going to jump right back on the train.

I’m not sure if it’s the magic of a contract year or the relief of not wearing the “C” anymore, but Tavares sits second on the Leafs and 11th in the NHL with 35 goals.

Additionally, he scored one of Toronto’s goals in a 3-2 loss to the Panthers last month.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks made at 9:35 a.m. ET 04/02/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Panthers April 2: Picks on teammates William Nylander and John Tavares

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs look to hold the top spot in the Atlantic Division as they face one of their challengers, the Florida Panthers.

The pregame narrative: John Tavares looks like his prime self at the moment, and I’m taking a shot on his goalscorer prop at plus money. I’m also tailing William Nylander in my best bet.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Panthers for April 2.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Panthers

Best Bet: Nylander over 2.5 shots (-143)

Embed: #112055

This is a tough matchup, no doubt, but there are still a few reasons to like this over:

  • Nylander averages well over this mark with 3.20 shots per game this season. That ranks 16th in the NHL.
  • He’s 9-5 against this line over the past 14 games.
  • On March 13 vs. the Panthers, Nylander tallied a team-high six shots (out of Toronto’s 25 total).

On a nightly basis, the Swedish winger has to share opportunities with Auston Matthews and other high-octane offensive talents.

But he continues to shine through, leading Toronto in both shots (237) and goals (42) this season.

Matthews’ shot total is set at 3.5 for a similar price, so I’ll buy in on Nylander instead.

Key stat: Nylander has tallied three-plus shots in both games against Florida this season.

Quick pick

Tavares anytime goalscorer (+195): I love the value here on the red-hot former captain.

Tavares has been the Leafs’ best player lately, scoring eight goals in his past six games.

He was held pointless against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, but he notched 11 points in the five games before that.

If Tavares was due for a down game, it just happened, so I’m going to jump right back on the train.

I’m not sure if it’s the magic of a contract year or the relief of not wearing the “C” anymore, but Tavares sits second on the Leafs and 11th in the NHL with 35 goals.

Additionally, he scored one of Toronto’s goals in a 3-2 loss to the Panthers last month.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks made at 9:35 a.m. ET 04/02/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Ducks March 30: Bet on Marner, Tavares to top shot props

Maple Leafs prop picks

A pair of Toronto Maple Leafs are staring down prime shooting nights against the Anaheim Ducks.

The pregame narrative: Auston Matthews fired eight shots on goal against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. He’s not the player I’m picking to produce on Sunday. My targets are my teammates John Tavares and Mitch Marner on Sunday.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Ducks for March 30.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Ducks

Best Bet: Tavares over 2.5 shots (-108)

There are several reasons why this is a very reasonable line.

Firstly, Tavares is a consistent shooter. He’s averaging 2.65 shots per game this season and has been firing the puck at a solid rate recently.

Tavares has 15 shots across his last five games with 25 total shot attempts during this stretch, including eight in Saturday’s win over the Los Angeles Kings.

The Toronto centre is still one of the best at getting himself into peak shot-taking areas. Tavares is 20th among all NHL skaters in expected goals (27.97), according to Natural Stat Trick.

The matchup is what elevates this play. Tavares and the rest of the Maple Leafs battle a Ducks squad that is brutal at limiting opposing teams’ shot totals.

No team in the NHL is allowing more shots per game than Anaheim (32.1).

Tavares should be able to pepper plenty of pucks against the Ducks.

Key stat: Tavares has topped this total in three of his last five games.

Quick pick

Marner over 2.5 shots (+137): Marner isn’t a prolific shooter, but this price makes him worth a look.

The Maple Leafs winger has fallen short of this total in 10 consecutive games, but he does have 11 shot attempts across his last two contests.

Anaheim’s inability to limit high-shot outputs plays in Marner’s favour. In his lone outing against the Ducks this season, he had six shot attempts and four shots on goal.

Marner’s usage isn’t a concern, either. The forward plays on Toronto’s first line and top power play, meaning he’ll be in the middle of his team’s offensive attack.

The Ducks boast the worst Corsi against per 60 mark in the NHL (66.73). Marner will likely have a high shot total if Toronto can dominate play against Anaheim.

Maple Leafs vs. Ducks prop picks made at 11:35 a.m. ET 03/30/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Ducks March 30: Bet on Marner, Tavares to top shot props

Maple Leafs prop picks

A pair of Toronto Maple Leafs are staring down prime shooting nights against the Anaheim Ducks.

The pregame narrative: Auston Matthews fired eight shots on goal against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. He’s not the player I’m picking to produce on Sunday. My targets are my teammates John Tavares and Mitch Marner on Sunday.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Ducks for March 30.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Ducks

Best Bet: Tavares over 2.5 shots (-118)

There are several reasons why this is a very reasonable line.

Firstly, Tavares is a consistent shooter. He’s averaging 2.65 shots per game this season and has been firing the puck at a solid rate recently.

Tavares has 15 shots across his last five games with 25 total shot attempts during this stretch, including eight in Saturday’s win over the Los Angeles Kings.

The Toronto centre is still one of the best at getting himself into peak shot-taking areas. Tavares is 20th among all NHL skaters in expected goals (27.97), according to Natural Stat Trick.

The matchup is what elevates this play. Tavares and the rest of the Maple Leafs battle a Ducks squad that is brutal at limiting opposing teams’ shot totals.

No team in the NHL is allowing more shots per game than Anaheim (32.1).

Tavares should be able to pepper plenty of pucks against the Ducks.

Key stat: Tavares has topped this total in three of his last five games.

Quick pick

Marner over 2.5 shots (+130): Marner isn’t a prolific shooter, but this price makes him worth a look.

The Maple Leafs winger has fallen short of this total in 10 consecutive games, but he does have 11 shot attempts across his last two contests.

Anaheim’s inability to limit high-shot outputs plays in Marner’s favour. In his lone outing against the Ducks this season, he had six shot attempts and four shots on goal.

Marner’s usage isn’t a concern, either. The forward plays on Toronto’s first line and top power play, meaning he’ll be in the middle of his team’s offensive attack.

The Ducks boast the worst Corsi against per 60 mark in the NHL (66.73). Marner will likely have a high shot total if Toronto can dominate play against Anaheim.

Maple Leafs vs. Ducks prop picks made at 11:35 a.m. ET 03/30/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Kings March 29: Bet on Matthew Knies, Andrei Kuzmenko to score points

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings have plenty of offensive star power featured in my top props for Saturday.

The pregame narrative: Matthew Knies and Andrei Kuzmenko are reliable secondary contributors for their respective squads, and both are nice values to score a point on Saturday. Auston Matthews’ shot prop is a strong fade, though, as he enters a difficult matchup.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Kings for March 29.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Kings

Best Bet: Matthews under 3.5 shots (-125)

There’s good reason to bet against Matthews hitting this mark.

Firstly, this has been a down season for Matthews’ shot volume. The superstar is averaging 11.6 shots per 60, his lowest mark since the 2017-18 campaign.

That translates to 3.9 shots per game which does put him above this mark, but his recent play suggests a below-average performance is on deck.

Matthews has gone under this total in three of his last four games with the lone exception being a four-shot output against the San Jose Sharks. That game did go to a shootout and Matthews did log his second-highest minutes total of the season in that contest (25:07).

Most shooters struggle to find shooting room against the Kings. Los Angeles is ceding the second-fewest shots per game in the league (25.4).

Key stat: The Kings have the third-lowest Corsi against total in the NHL (3,921), according to Natural Stat Trick.

Quick pick

Knies to score a point (-112): It’s hard to deviate from a prop pick that’s been so successful.

Knies is enjoying a career year on all fronts. The Maple Leafs winger has set career highs in goals (25) and assists (24) in what’s been his breakout campaign.

His play has earned him prime real estate inside Toronto’s lineup. Knies skates with Matthews and Mitch Marner on the first line and is a valuable member of the squad’s power play.

Knies is rolling ahead of this contest as he enters with back-to-back multi-point outings. He has a point in three of his last four games and 15 of his last 24.

The Kings are a defensively stingy team, but they did just cede four tallies to the Colorado Avalanche in their most recent contest.

Toronto’s offence is seventh in goals-per-game and I’m betting Knies helps factor into the scoring for the Maple Leafs.

Kuzmenko to score a point (+115): It’s usually difficult for players to adjust to a new team after a mid-season move.

Try making that adjustment twice in one season. Kuzmenko was dealt from the Calgary Flames to the Philadelphia Flyers to the Kings all in the span of one season.

The winger has largely struggled to produce in all three destinations, but it does look like he’s beginning to heat up in Los Angeles. Kuzmenko has a point in three of his last four games (four total).

L.A. is certainly giving the forward ample opportunity to prove himself. He plays on the first line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe while also earning minutes on the top power play.

Those offensively friendly opportunities make Kuzmenko a solid pick in this market.

Maple Leafs vs. Kings prop picks made at 12:32 p.m. ET 03/29/2025.