NHL Picks April 16 2025: Best Bets and Predictions for Today's Games

The NHL regular season winds down on April 16, 2025 with six games on the slate. We break down each matchup in our NHL picks for April 16 2025, highlighting key team trends, injury news, and playoff context. These are the best NHL bets today, with one best bet and one player prop for every game. Read on for our NHL predictions April 16and top NHL player props to target.

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Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens (7:00 PM ET, ESPN+)

The Hurricanes are gearing up for the playoffs and enter this game as road favorites. Carolina has split the season series with Montreal so far and will want to finish strong. The Canadiens have been eliminated from playoff contention but are 6-2-2 in their last ten, showing plenty of fight down the stretch. However, Montreal’s defense remains shaky (nearly 3.3 goals against per game this season), which a deep Hurricanes lineup can exploit. Carolina’s own form has been mixed lately, but with superior depth and motivation, they should control this game at Bell Centre.

Best Bet: Hurricanes moneyline (Carolina to win). The Canes’ balanced attack and stingy defense give them the clear edge. At roughly -120 on the moneyline, backing the playoff-bound Hurricanes to take care of business against a weaker Canadiens squad is a solid play.
Player Prop: Sebastian Aho to score a goal. Carolina’s first-line center is a good bet to light the lamp. Aho leads the Hurricanes offense and will be facing a Canadiens team that has struggled to contain top forwards. Look for Aho to capitalize on Montreal’s defensive lapses with a goal.

Anaheim Ducks at Winnipeg Jets (7:00 PM ET, ESPN+)

The Jets have been one of the league’s top teams (55 wins) and are heavy home favorites against the Ducks. Winnipeg is 7-3-0 in its last ten games and will aim to keep momentum heading into the postseason. Even if a few regulars rest, the Jets’ depth and home-ice advantage should carry them. The Ducks are finishing a losing season and have a 5-5-0 record in their last ten. Anaheim’s young talent has shown flashes, but they concede too many goals (over 3.5 per game on the year) to trust on the road — especially if goalie John Gibson remains sidelined.

Best Bet: Jets -1.5 (puck line). Winnipeg’s high-powered offense and solid goaltending make a multi-goal win likely. The Jets have dominated weaker opponents at Canada Life Centre, and the Ducks have frequently lost by multiple goals against playoff-caliber teams. Lay the -1.5 as Winnipeg should roll comfortably.
Player Prop: Kyle Connor to score a goal. Connor is one of Winnipeg’s most prolific scorers and a constant shooting threat. Facing a Ducks defense that ranks near the bottom of the NHL, he’ll have plenty of opportunities. Back Connor to find the back of the net as the Jets’ offense potentially erupts.

Detroit Red Wings at New Jersey Devils (7:30 PM ET, TNT/truTV/Max)

This has turned into an unexpected matchup of equals — the Devils would normally be favored at home, but they’ve lost star forward Jack Hughes (shoulder) and top defenseman Dougie Hamilton to injuries. New Jersey is 5-4-1 in its last ten but has struggled to score without Hughes in the lineup. The Red Wings (38-35-7) have quietly won five of their last eight and are looking to end on a high note. Detroit’s young core — including Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat — provides enough firepower to trouble a shorthanded Devils squad. Neither team is playoff-bound, but pride is on the line in Newark.

Best Bet: Red Wings moneyline (-115). Detroit is a slight road favorite for good reason. With the Devils missing key pieces, the Red Wings have the offensive advantage and more to prove. Expect Detroit’s effort level to be high as they seize on New Jersey’s depleted roster to grab the win.
Player Prop: Lucas Raymond to record a point. Raymond leads the Red Wings in points this season (near 80) and should be involved in the scoring tonight. He’s a dynamic playmaker who will get top-line minutes and power-play time. Bet on Raymond to register at least one point against a Devils defense lacking its top blueliner.

Dallas Stars at Nashville Predators (8:00 PM ET, ESPN+)

The Stars have secured their playoff spot with 50 wins, while the Predators have had a dismal year (29-44-8) and limp into this finale 2-8-0 in their last ten games. Dallas, by contrast, boasts one of the league’s better scoring attacks, though they’ve been average (4-4-2) over the last ten as they manage players’ workloads. With nothing on the line, the Stars may not go full throttle, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they rest some veterans. Nashville’s one hope to stay competitive is goalie Juuse Saros, who can steal games when hot. Still, the Predators’ lack of scoring (they've scored two or fewer goals in most recent games) suggests a low-event contest.

Best Bet: Under 6.5 total goals. Expect a relatively low-scoring game. Nashville’s offensive woes and Saros’ ability to keep games close point to the under. Dallas is the better team but may take a defense-first approach and coast once they have a lead. A 4-1 or 4-2 type of result feels likely, which would stay beneath 6.5 goals.
Player Prop: Jason Robertson to score a goal. Even if Dallas spreads out ice time, Robertson should get his chances. He is the Stars’ top goal-scorer and a constant threat from the left circle. The Predators’ defense has been porous, so bank on Robertson’s elite finishing touch to beat Saros at least once.

Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks (10:00 PM ET, TNT/truTV/Max)

The Golden Knights (first in the Pacific Division at 49-22-9) likely clinched their playoff seed and come in on the second night of a back-to-back. Vegas played in Calgary on Tuesday and could rest some stars (like Jack Eichel or Alex Pietrangelo) to stay fresh for the postseason. The Canucks (38-29-14) have been eliminated from playoff contention but have finished strong and are 6-3-1 in their last ten games. Vancouver just upset Colorado and then won an overtime thriller in its last outing, showing resilience and improved defense under coach Rick Tocchet. With the home crowd behind them and facing a possibly fatigued Vegas lineup, the Canucks have a golden opportunity to notch a feel-good win.

Best Bet: Canucks moneyline (upset win). This is a prime spot for an underdog. Vancouver has momentum and incentive to perform for its fans, whereas Vegas will be focused on staying healthy. Don’t be surprised if the Canucks outwork the Knights and come away with the victory at plus-money odds.
Player Prop: Elias Pettersson to record 2+ points. Vancouver’s star center will be the most dangerous player on the ice if Vegas rests its top guns. Pettersson has been piling up points all year (approaching 100) and thrives in open-ice, high-tempo games. He could easily tally multiple points — think a goal and an assist — in this matchup.

Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks (10:30 PM ET, ESPN+)

The Oilers are locked into a playoff spot and enter as big favorites (-210) despite plans to sit some star players (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, etc.) in this finale. That means Edmonton’s secondary players will carry the load against the NHL’s worst team. The Sharks (20-49-12) are wrapping up a miserable season on a ten-game losing streak. San Jose’s offense has been nearly non-existent during this skid. With veterans like Logan Couture already shut down, the Sharks are essentially icing a young, inexperienced lineup. Even a shorthanded Oilers squad has more talent, but Edmonton’s primary goal will be to avoid injuries, not run up the score.

Best Bet: Sharks +1.5 (puck line). Edmonton may win, but expect a closer game than usual. The Sharks have managed to push a few recent opponents to overtime and can keep this within a goal against the Oilers’ B-team. With Edmonton in cruise control, San Jose should be able to hang around on home ice and stay within the puck line.
Player Prop: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to record a point. Nugent-Hopkins becomes the Oilers’ de facto offensive leader with McDavid and Draisaitl likely out or limited. He’s a power-play maestro who put up career-high numbers this season. Facing a weak Sharks defense, RNH should find his way onto the scoresheet with at least one point, even if the game is low scoring.

Recap of Best Bets and Player Props

Game	Best Bet	Player Prop (Target)
Hurricanes at Canadiens	Hurricanes ML	Sebastian Aho to score a goal
Ducks at Jets	Jets -1.5 (puck line)	Kyle Connor to score a goal
Red Wings at Devils	Red Wings ML	Lucas Raymond to record a point
Stars at Predators	Under 6.5 total goals	Jason Robertson to score a goal
Golden Knights at Canucks	Canucks ML	Elias Pettersson to record 2+ points
Oilers at Sharks	Sharks +1.5 (puck line)	Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to record a point

Enjoy the games and good luck with your wagers! These NHL picks for April 16, 2025 are crafted to give you an edge on the best NHL bets today. As always, shop around for the best odds and stay informed on any last-minute lineup changes. Happy hockey betting!

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