Category: NHL

Maple Leafs props vs. Sabres April 15: Back Matthews and Tavares to produce

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs can lock up first place in the Atlantic Division on Tuesday when they play the Buffalo Sabres.

The pregame narrative: The magic number is one point, as the Leafs need to win or lose in overtime to lock up the division. I expect a big performance and am taking prop bets for John Tavares and Auston Matthews.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Sabres for April 15.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Sabres

Best Bet: Tavares to score 1+ points (-139)

Embed: #112555

I took this pick at this exact price on Sunday, and Tavares came through, scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Now, the Leafs play the Sabres, a much worse defensive team than the Hurricanes.

  • Buffalo allows the fourth most goals (3.49) and 11th most shots (28.9) per game.
  • The side is expected to start James Reimer tonight. His .898 SV% is less than impressive.

Tavares is rolling ahead of the playoffs, recording a point in four straight games and in 10 of his last 12.

Key stat: The former captain has five points in two games against the Sabres this season.

Quick pick

Matthews over 3.5 shots (+105): Matthews may not be producing at the same rate as last year, but he’s had a really good campaign, nonetheless.

  • 75 points in 65 games (31 goals)
  • 3.91 shots per game (fourth-most in NHL)

As mentioned before, the Sabres rank in the bottom half of the league for shots against.

Matthews is accustomed to big shooting nights and doesn’t get a plus-money price on this line often. Maybe it’s because he’s fallen short in three of the past four games, but I’m willing to look past that.

Mattews recorded five shots on goal in both games against Buffalo earlier this season.

Maple Leafs vs. Sabres prop picks made at 9:23 a.m. ET 04/15/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Hurricanes April 13: Take overs for John Tavares and Matthew Knies

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs head on the road to face the Carolina Hurricanes.

The pregame narrative: The Leafs need three more points to clinch the division and can continue their pursuit on Sunday. I’m backing John Tavares and Matthew Knies to contribute on the offensive end.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Hurricanes for April 13.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Hurricanes

Best Bet: Knies over 1.5 shots (-154)

This was one line I couldn’t pass on when exploring the markets for this game.

Knies is at the end of a breakout season where he became an integral part of the Leafs’ offence.

He plays left wing on the first line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Knies also sees time on the top power-play unit, featured alongside John Tavares and William Nylander. That’s a premium spot for offensive production.

As a result, he has enjoyed a career-high in points (55) and, more importantly for this wager, shots (149).

Carolina provides a woeful matchup as the side allows the fewest shots per game (24.9), but this line is simply too low for the 22-year-old.

Key stat: Knies has cleared this total in 10 of the past 13 games, averaging 2.9 shots per game.

Quick pick

Tavares to score 1+ points (-138): I love jumping on this wager when the price makes sense, and I believe that’s the case here.

  • The former captain is having a great contract year, tallying 73 points in 72 games.
  • Since the all-star break, Tavares has at least a point in 18 of 25 games (72.0%).

In the Leafs’ last game against Carolina, just after the break, Tavares scored a goal and bagged an assist in a 6-3 Toronto win.

If I narrow it down even further, Tavares has 13 points in his last 10 games and is 8-2 against this wager.

Other top Toronto forwards carry a price tag ranging from -165 (Nylander) to -235 (Matthews), so I’d much rather bet on Tavares, who’s been the best of the bunch recently.

Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes prop picks made at 1:53 p.m. ET 04/13/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Hurricanes April 13: Take overs for John Tavares and Matthew Knies

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs head on the road to face the Carolina Hurricanes.

The pregame narrative: The Leafs need three more points to clinch the division and can continue their pursuit on Sunday. I’m backing John Tavares and Matthew Knies to contribute on the offensive end.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Hurricanes for April 13.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Hurricanes

Best Bet: Knies over 1.5 shots (-130)

Embed: #112502

This was one line I couldn’t pass on when exploring the markets for this game.

Knies is at the end of a breakout season where he became an integral part of the Leafs’ offence.

He plays left wing on the first line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Knies also sees time on the top power-play unit, featured alongside John Tavares and William Nylander. That’s a premium spot for offensive production.

As a result, he has enjoyed a career-high in points (55) and, more importantly for this wager, shots (149).

Carolina provides a woeful matchup as the side allows the fewest shots per game (24.9), but this line is simply too low for the 22-year-old.

Key stat: Knies has cleared this total in 10 of the past 13 games, averaging 2.9 shots per game.

Quick pick

Tavares to score 1+ points (-139): I love jumping on this wager when the price makes sense, and I believe that’s the case here.

  • The former captain is having a great contract year, tallying 73 points in 72 games.
  • Since the all-star break, Tavares has at least a point in 18 of 25 games (72.0%).

In the Leafs’ last game against Carolina, just after the break, Tavares scored a goal and bagged an assist in a 6-3 Toronto win.

If I narrow it down even further, Tavares has 13 points in his last 10 games and is 8-2 against this wager.

Other top Toronto forwards carry a price tag ranging from -165 (Nylander) to -235 (Matthews), so I’d much rather bet on Tavares, who’s been the best of the bunch recently.

Maple Leafs vs. Hurricanes prop picks made at 1:53 p.m. ET 04/13/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Canadiens April 12: Bet on Matthews, Slafkovsky to have big nights

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs lock horns for the final time this season on Saturday night.

The pregame narrative: Hockey’s most historic rivalry renews one last time this season. I expect both team’s top stars to play with pride in a game that carries weight for both sides. I’m betting on Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson to shine for Montreal, and Auston Matthews to show out for Toronto.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Canadiens for April 12.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Canadiens

Best Bet: Slafkovsky to score 1+ points (-108)

The buzz around Montreal these days centres around the arrival of recent first-round pick Ivan Demidov, and rightfully so.

The 2024 fifth overall selection is a tantalizing prospect who could help make the Canadiens a true sleeper in the NHL playoffs.

Bettors should turn their focus to Slafkovsky for Saturday’s game, however, and for good reason.

The 2022 first overall pick is putting together another solid offensive campaign. After scoring 50 points last year, he enters tonight’s game with 49.

His usage is highly encouraging for bettors as he’s receiving prime opportunities inside Montreal’s lineup.

Slafkovsky is skating alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the first line, and is a featured member of the top power-play unit.

The Maple Leafs allowed three goals in each of their games earlier this week, and Montreal has scored three-plus goals in five of its last seven games. Expect the Habs to score enough to make Slafkovsky a strong wager.

Key stat: Slafkovsky has recorded a point in nine of his last 16 games.

Quick picks

Hutson to score 1 point (-125): Quinn Hughes was the last defenceman to lead all NHL rookies in points when he scored 53 points in 68 games during the COVID-19-shortened 2019-20 season.

Hutson can join Hughes with a strong finish to the 2024-25 campaign. The Canadiens’ rearguard already ranks first among all freshmen with 64 points in 79 games this season.

The young defenceman enters this contest in fine form, totalling 11 points in his last 10 contests.

His spot as a power-play quarterback is what makes this wager especially intriguing. Hutson has done a terrific job facilitating the puck on the man advantage as his 25 power-play points also sit first among all rookies.

Matthews over 3.5 shots (-143): The betting markets seem to have finally adjusted to Matthews’ reduced shot volume.

Matthews’ 11.4 shots per 60 this season are the second lowest of his entire career. Toronto’s top sniper hasn’t looked like the lethal shooter we saw score 69 goals a season ago.

But his prop no longer sits at 4.5, it’s at 3.5 with a palatable number to the over.

Although his shot totals are down, Matthews has cleared this line in four of his last seven contests.

Additionally, one of Matthews’ best shooting performances of the season came against the Canadiens. Matthews had six shots on goal in Toronto’s season-opening contest against Montreal.

Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens prop picks made at 12:53 p.m. ET 04/12/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Canadiens April 12: Bet on Matthews, Slafkovsky to have big nights

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs lock horns for the final time this season on Saturday night.

The pregame narrative: Hockey’s most historic rivalry renews one last time this season. I expect both team’s top stars to play with pride in a game that carries weight for both sides. I’m betting on Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson to shine for Montreal, and Auston Matthews to show out for Toronto.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Canadiens for April 12.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Canadiens

Best Bet: Slafkovsky to score 1+ points (-103)

The buzz around Montreal these days centres around the arrival of recent first-round pick Ivan Demidov, and rightfully so.

The 2024 fifth overall selection is a tantalizing prospect who could help make the Canadiens a true sleeper in the NHL playoffs.

Bettors should turn their focus to Slafkovsky for Saturday’s game, however, and for good reason.

The 2022 first overall pick is putting together another solid offensive campaign. After scoring 50 points last year, he enters tonight’s game with 49.

His usage is highly encouraging for bettors as he’s receiving prime opportunities inside Montreal’s lineup.

Slafkovsky is skating alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the first line, and is a featured member of the top power-play unit.

The Maple Leafs allowed three goals in each of their games earlier this week, and Montreal has scored three-plus goals in five of its last seven games. Expect the Habs to score enough to make Slafkovsky a strong wager.

Key stat: Slafkovsky has recorded a point in nine of his last 16 games.

Quick picks

Hutson to score 1 point (-125): Quinn Hughes was the last defenceman to lead all NHL rookies in points when he scored 53 points in 68 games during the COVID-19-shortened 2019-20 season.

Hutson can join Hughes with a strong finish to the 2024-25 campaign. The Canadiens’ rearguard already ranks first among all freshmen with 64 points in 79 games this season.

The young defenceman enters this contest in fine form, totalling 11 points in his last 10 contests.

His spot as a power-play quarterback is what makes this wager especially intriguing. Hutson has done a terrific job facilitating the puck on the man advantage as his 25 power-play points also sit first among all rookies.

Matthews over 3.5 shots (-130): The betting markets seem to have finally adjusted to Matthews’ reduced shot volume.

Matthews’ 11.4 shots per 60 this season are the second lowest of his entire career. Toronto’s top sniper hasn’t looked like the lethal shooter we saw score 69 goals a season ago.

But his prop no longer sits at 4.5, it’s at 3.5 with a palatable number to the over.

Although his shot totals are down, Matthews has cleared this line in four of his last seven contests.

Additionally, one of Matthews’ best shooting performances of the season came against the Canadiens. Matthews had six shots on goal in Toronto’s season-opening contest against Montreal.

Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens prop picks made at 12:53 p.m. ET 04/12/2025.

Best NHL anytime goalscorer picks April 11: Back McDavid and Crosby to score on Friday night

NHL anytime goal picks

Sometimes you just need to play the hits. My favourite NHL goalscorer picks from Friday are none other than Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby.

The pregame narrative: The Edmonton Oilers have an outside chance at capturing home ice in the opening round and have a comfy matchup against the San Jose Sharks tonight. Elsewhere, the Pittsburgh Penguins battle the New Jersey Devils.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for April 11.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best Bet: McDavid to score a goal (+105)

McDavid didn’t miss a beat when he returned from an eight-game injury absence on Wednesday.

Edmonton’s captain had three assists in 20:35 of ice time in a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. He didn’t take a single shot, but I’m not worried about that becoming the norm, especially with Leon Draisaitl sidelined.

Draisaitl, who has a league-best 52 goals, is dealing with an undisclosed ailment and will not play on Friday.

The Oilers will certainly miss his goal-scoring touch come the playoffs but should do just fine in his absence tonight.

Check out how San Jose ranks defensively on a 60-minute basis, according to Natural Stat Trick:

  • 32nd in goals (3.76)
  • 31st in shots (31.4)
  • 31st in chances (65.88)

Key stat: McDavid has nine goals in his last 15 games against the Sharks.

Quick pick

Crosby to score a goal (+170): It’s been all about Alex Ovechkin this season — and deservedly so — but we shouldn’t discount what Crosby has done on a much worse team.

He has 31 goals and 87 points while playing alongside Bryan Rust and Ville Koivunen on a 32-win team. That’s not a great sell for Crosby’s chances of scoring, but the point is he keeps doing it at the age of 37.

Tonight, the Pens go up against a Devils team locked into its playoff matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes.

New Jersey is starting backup goaltender Jake Allen, who has given up seven goals across his last two starts.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 2:07 p.m. ET on 03/24/2025.

Best NHL anytime goalscorer picks April 11: Back McDavid and Crosby to score on Friday night

NHL anytime goal picks

Sometimes you just need to play the hits. My favourite NHL goalscorer picks from Friday are none other than Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby.

The pregame narrative: The Edmonton Oilers have an outside chance at capturing home ice in the opening round and have a comfy matchup against the San Jose Sharks tonight. Elsewhere, the Pittsburgh Penguins battle the New Jersey Devils.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for April 11.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best Bet: McDavid to score a goal (+100)

Embed: #112406

McDavid didn’t miss a beat when he returned from an eight-game injury absence on Wednesday.

Edmonton’s captain had three assists in 20:35 of ice time in a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. He didn’t take a single shot, but I’m not worried about that becoming the norm, especially with Leon Draisaitl sidelined.

Draisaitl, who has a league-best 52 goals, is dealing with an undisclosed ailment and will not play on Friday.

The Oilers will certainly miss his goal-scoring touch come the playoffs but should do just fine in his absence tonight.

Check out how San Jose ranks defensively on a 60-minute basis, according to Natural Stat Trick:

  • 32nd in goals (3.76)
  • 31st in shots (31.4)
  • 31st in chances (65.88)

Key stat: McDavid has nine goals in his last 15 games against the Sharks.

Quick pick

Crosby to score a goal (+185): It’s been all about Alex Ovechkin this season — and deservedly so — but we shouldn’t discount what Crosby has done on a much worse team.

He has 31 goals and 87 points while playing alongside Bryan Rust and Ville Koivunen on a 32-win team. That’s not a great sell for Crosby’s chances of scoring, but the point is he keeps doing it at the age of 37.

Tonight, the Pens go up against a Devils team locked into its playoff matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes.

New Jersey is starting backup goaltender Jake Allen, who has given up seven goals across his last two starts.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 2:07 p.m. ET on 03/24/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Lightning April 9: Back Jake Guentzel, John Tavares in massive clash

Maple Leafs props

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning meet for the final time this season, with the Atlantic Division potentially on the line.

The pregame narrative: The Maple Leafs have a two-point lead on the Lightning for the division’s top spot, but Tampa can leapfrog them with a win. I’m backing one player from both teams — John Tavares and Jake Guentzel — to perform.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Lightning for April 9.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Lightning

Best Bet: Guentzel over 2.5 shots (-141)

Embed: #112326

Toronto has been on quite the run, going 8-2-1 in its last 11 games. But elite goaltending has papered over major defensive deficiencies.

Check out how the Maple Leafs’ defence ranks on a 60-minute basis during that span, per Natural Stat Trick:

  • 32nd in chances (68.66)
  • 29th in shots (30.95)
  • 24th in scoring chances (29.32)

Last night, the Florida Panthers out-chanced the Maple Leafs, 63-31, and out-shot them, 37-18.

Joseph Woll kept the Leafs in the game until the end, and Anthony Stolarz, who ranks second in GAA (2.26) and SV% (.922), should do the same tonight.

I’m not sure Guentzel will find the score sheet, but I love his chances of blowing by this shot total. The winger ranks third on the team in shots (209) and has cleared this mark in five of his last six games.

Key stat: Guentzel has cleared this mark in four of his last five games against the Maple Leafs.

Quick pick

Tavares to record a point (-141): Last night, I backed Tavares — Toronto’s lone goalscorer — to go over 2.5 shots at +125.

That didn’t cash, so I’ll simplify things this evening by backing the veteran centre to record a point. Take a look at what Tavares has done since March 1:

  • 18 games
  • 22 points
  • 15 goals

He’s been Toronto’s best player heading down the stretch and doesn’t appear to be slowing down with the playoffs (and free agency) on the horizon.

Tavares is riding shotgun with the dynamic William Nylander and is playing the bumper position on Toronto’s top power play. He’s a good bet to find the stat sheet regardless of the opponent.

Maple Leafs vs. Lightning prop picks made at 12:20 p.m. ET 04/09/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Panthers April 8: Back Taveres and Marchand on Tuesday

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs look to further the gap between themselves and the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.

The pregame narrative: Toronto has a six-point lead over Florida in the Atlantic Division with a game in hand. I’m backing John Tavares to clear his shot total and expect a slumping Brad Marchand to find the score sheet.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Panthers for April 8.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Panthers

Best Bet: Tavares over 2.5 shots (+125)

I debated backing Tavares to record a point (-142), which is certainly playable given his recent form.

Check the 34-year-old’s numbers since March 1:

  • 17 games
  • 21 points
  • 14 goals

Maybe the weight of bearing the “C” has been lifted, or maybe his amulet is fully charged ahead of the playoffs. Either way, Tavares has been red-hot lately.

But I’m not in love with those odds, and will instead turn to his shot total, which comes in at plus money.

Tavares has cleared this line in three of his last four games, including against the Panthers last Wednesday.

He’s playing a healthy amount of minutes on the second line with elite playmaker William Nylander and is a mainstay on Toronto’s surging power play.

Key stat: Tavares has 2+ SOG in 13 of his last 14 games, clearing this line seven times.

Quick pick

Marchand to record a point (-125): Marchand has just one point with the Panthers, and it came in his debut on March 28.

He’s been held off the score sheet in five straight, but this seems like a good spot for him to get off the schneid.

The former Boston Bruin is averaging 17:53 of ice time and is on the Panthers’ top power play. And while Toronto is 8-1-1 over its last 10 games, the team is giving up plenty of chances.

Check out the Maple Leafs’ defensive ranks during that span, per Natural Stat Trick:

  • 31st in chances (68.23)
  • 27th in shots (30.35)
  • 22nd in scoring chances (29.06)

Marchand has 10 points in his last 10 regular-season games against Toronto.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks made at 10:44 a.m. ET 04/08/2025.

Maple Leafs props vs. Panthers April 8: Back Taveres and Marchand on Tuesday

Maple Leafs prop picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs look to further the gap between themselves and the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.

The pregame narrative: Toronto has a six-point lead over Florida in the Atlantic Division with a game in hand. I’m backing John Tavares to clear his shot total and expect a slumping Brad Marchand to find the score sheet.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Panthers for April 8.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Panthers

Best Bet: Tavares over 2.5 shots (+125)

Embed: #112272

I debated backing Tavares to record a point (-142), which is certainly playable given his recent form.

Check the 34-year-old’s numbers since March 1:

  • 17 games
  • 21 points
  • 14 goals

Maybe the weight of bearing the “C” has been lifted, or maybe his amulet is fully charged ahead of the playoffs. Either way, Tavares has been red-hot lately.

But I’m not in love with those odds, and will instead turn to his shot total, which comes in at plus money.

Tavares has cleared this line in three of his last four games, including against the Panthers last Wednesday.

He’s playing a healthy amount of minutes on the second line with elite playmaker William Nylander and is a mainstay on Toronto’s surging power play.

Key stat: Tavares has 2+ SOG in 13 of his last 14 games, clearing this line seven times.

Quick pick

Marchand to record a point (-136): Marchand has just one point with the Panthers, and it came in his debut on March 28.

He’s been held off the score sheet in five straight, but this seems like a good spot for him to get off the schneid.

The former Boston Bruin is averaging 17:53 of ice time and is on the Panthers’ top power play. And while Toronto is 8-1-1 over its last 10 games, the team is giving up plenty of chances.

Check out the Maple Leafs’ defensive ranks during that span, per Natural Stat Trick:

  • 31st in chances (68.23)
  • 27th in shots (30.35)
  • 22nd in scoring chances (29.06)

Marchand has 10 points in his last 10 regular-season games against Toronto.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks made at 10:44 a.m. ET 04/08/2025.