It’s a Saturday double-header, and I’m looking at three players to strike in my NHL anytime goal picks.
Today’s NHL narrative: Jack Eichel is suffering from bad puck luck, but I expect that to turn around in a must-win contest. Shea Theodore is a consistent offensive threat and is a nice value play. Thirdly, Alex Ovechkin has been unusually quiet, but I like his chances of scoring in Game 3.
Check out the best NHL anytime goal picks for Saturday’s playoff games.
NHL anytime goal picks
Best Bet: Eichel to score (+175)
Goals have been hard to come by for the Vegas Golden Knights’ top forward.
Eichel only has one goal this postseason, although he does lead his team in points with nine.
The centre’s goal-scoring woes aren’t due to a lack of trying, however, as he is routinely producing opportunities for his squad.
Here is how Eichel ranks amongst his teammates in some key categories:
- 24 shots (first)
- 1.86 expected goals (fifth)
- 24 scoring chances (first)
The law of averages suggests that Eichel is due for a correction sometime soon. He has the third-worst shooting percentage of the playoffs among all players with 20-plus shots (4.2).
It’s not like his opponent, the Edmonton Oilers, boasts an unmovable force between the pipes either. Calvin Pickard has an .888 save percentage in the playoffs and an even worse .878 save percentage in this series.
Bet on Eichel to break through in Vegas’ most important game of the season.
Key stat: Pickard has allowed 10 goals in his last three starts.
NHL prop predictions
Theodore to score (+550): These odds are too good to ignore.
I understand that Theodore is a defenceman and that defencemen don’t score as much as forwards, but Theodore is buzzing offensively for Vegas.
The rearguard is tied for third on the team in shots (19) and has a pair of goals this postseason.
Both of Theodore’s goals came on the power play, and I expect that unit to continue rolling in Game 3. Edmonton has the worst penalty kill percentage in the playoffs (59.3%) and has surrendered three goals on seven shorthanded opportunities in this series.
Ovechkin to score (+163): It’s only a matter of time before Ovechkin makes his mark on this series.
The Washington Capitals’ captain has an uncharacteristically low four shots through two games, but he is adjusting to the Carolina Hurricanes’ stingy defence. He notched three shots in Game 2 after just one shot in Game 1.
The case for betting on the greatest goalscorer of all time is a fairly obvious one, but here’s how Ovi has fared among his teammates this postseason:
- 23 shots (first among all Caps)
- 18 scoring chances (first)
- Four goals (tied for first)
Washington needs to steal one of its upcoming away games to regain home-ice advantage, and I expect Ovechkin to be at his best in a pivotal Game 3.
NHL anytime goal picks made at 10:25 a.m. ET on 05/10/2025.
Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.