We’re reaching crunch time in the NHL’s second round, and every goal could be the difference between moving on or going home.
Today’s NHL narrative: The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers meet for a pivotal Game 5 with the series tied at 2-2. Out west, the Edmonton Oilers have a close-out opportunity in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights.
Check out the best NHL anytime goal picks for May 14, featuring John Tavares and Evan Bouchard.
NHL anytime goal picks
Best Bet: Tavares to score (+205)
Tavares isn’t the flashiest player on the star-studded Maple Leafs, but he’s been one of their most productive this year.
The veteran centre scored 38 goals during the regular season and has been a force this series. Check out how he ranks among Toronto’s skaters vs. Florida, with metrics provided by Natural Stat Trick:
- 1st in shots (17)
- 1st in high-danger chances (11)
- 2nd in chances (27)
- 3rd in xG (2.14)
Tavares scored a pair of goals against the Panthers in Game 3 and found the net in three of six games against the Ottawa Senators in Round 1.
He’s skating alongside the red-hot William Nylander on the second line, which should get a favourable matchup at home.
Florida head coach Paul Maurice was pairing his shutdown line of Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart and Jesper Boqvist against Tavares and Nylander on the road.
In the first two games, Craig Berube was utilizing last change to have Auston Matthews’ line match up against that Florida trio.
Key stat: Tavares’ 5.0 xG are the fifth-most among all players this postseason.
NHL prop prediction
Bouchard to score (+375): I already backed Draisaitl to score as my favourite Oilers vs. Golden Knights prop bet, so let’s highlight another Oiler at big plus-money odds.
Bouchard has four goals this postseason, scoring a pair in back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Kings.
He hasn’t found the net since, but he’s firing pucks at a high rate while quarterbacking a lethal power play that features Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.
Check out how Bouchard ranks among defencemen this postseason:
- 1st in shots (30)
- 1st in shot attempts (71)
- 5th in TOI (264:40)
- 6th in scoring chances (16)
Vegas netminder Adin Hill has struggled mightily this postseason, posting a 3.15 GAA and .876 SV% through 10 starts.
Bouchard is second among all active defencemen in playoff goals per game (0.27) behind Cale Makar.
NHL anytime goal picks made at 11:49 a.m. ET on 05/14/2025.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.