NHL Picks Today (April 17, 2025): Best Bets & Predictions for Every Game

Thursday's NHL slate on April 17, 2025 features seven matchups, and we've got our expert NHL picks April 17 2025ready. In this article, we break down each game with predictions, betting analysis, and the best NHL bets today for every matchup. You'll find a recommended moneyline or over/under pick for each game, plus an enticing player prop bet to consider. Read on for our NHL predictions April 17 and a spotlight on NHL player props April 17 in each game.

======

🔥 Join Kingpin and follow the top bettors beating the books! Get exclusive picks from **LM Tipster** (+45 units, 18% ROI), **Billy Locks** (+52 units, 20% ROI) and **BambinoBets** (+60 units, 22% ROI). Download the Kingpin app for Android or iOS now and start tailing their winning plays today!

======

Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres (7:00 PM ET)

Odds: Sabres -145, O/U 6.5

The Sabres boast a high-powered offense led by emerging stars, while the Flyers have struggled defensively all season. Buffalo loves to push the pace at home – they've been scoring in bunches and playing in many high-scoring games. Philadelphia's young lineup can chip in some goals (rookie Matvei Michkov has provided a spark), but their porous defense and goaltending have been a liability. Expect an open game with chances galore, as neither side is known for tightening up defensively at this stage.

Best Bet: Over 6.5 Goals – Buffalo’s offensive firepower and Philly’s defensive lapses should combine for a shootout. Both teams are out of playoff contention, so a loose, high-scoring affair is likely.
Player Prop: Tage Thompson to score a goal – The Sabres’ top sniper is a constant threat and has a knack for finding the net against weaker defensive teams.

======

Detroit Red Wings at Toronto Maple Leafs (7:00 PM ET)

Odds: Maple Leafs -130, O/U 5.5

Toronto’s potent offense makes them a dangerous team at home, even if they decide to rest a veteran or two ahead of the playoffs. The Maple Leafs have won most of their recent home games, powered by stars like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Detroit has shown improvement this season, but their young defense could be vulnerable in a loud Scotiabank Arena. The Red Wings have struggled on the road against quality opponents, and containing Toronto’s firepower for a full 60 minutes is a tall order.

Best Bet: Maple Leafs -130 (Moneyline) – At a reasonable price, Toronto is the play. The Leafs’ depth and scoring ability should overwhelm Detroit, especially if the game turns into a special-teams battle.
Player Prop: Auston Matthews to score a goal – Matthews is one of the league’s elite goal scorers. He'll be eager to tune up for the postseason, and Detroit’s defense is unlikely to hold him off the scoresheet.

======

Carolina Hurricanes at Ottawa Senators (7:00 PM ET)

Odds: Senators -120, O/U 5.5

This game means everything to Ottawa and very little to Carolina. The Senators are fighting to secure a wild-card spot, riding a late-season surge and feeding off their home crowd. Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle lead an Ottawa attack that has been clicking recently. On the other side, the Hurricanes have already locked in their playoff position, so they may rest key players or dial back intensity to avoid injuries. Even at full strength, Carolina’s road performances have been spotty of late, and now motivation clearly favors the Sens.

Best Bet: Senators -120 (Moneyline) – Ottawa’s urgency will be the difference. They’re on home ice with playoffs on the line, facing a Canes squad that might not be icing its A-team. The Sens’ energy and desperation make them the smart pick.
Player Prop: Brady Tkachuk to score a goal – The Senators’ captain thrives in big moments. Expect Tkachuk to crash the net and fire plenty of shots as he tries to propel his team into the postseason.

======

Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers (7:00 PM ET)

Odds: Rangers -135, O/U 5.5

Two playoff-bound heavyweights clash at Madison Square Garden. The Lightning and Rangers both feature elite goaltending and experienced defenders, setting the stage for a tight, low-scoring battle. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Igor Shesterkin can steal the show – each goalie is capable of shutting the door even against high-octane offenses. Tampa Bay’s offense (Stamkos, Kucherov, Point) is deadly, but New York’s defense has been very solid at home, and vice versa. With both teams likely treating this as a playoff tune-up, don’t expect a wide-open game.

Best Bet: Under 5.5 Goals – With Vasilevskiy and Shesterkin in net, goals should be hard to come by. Neither side will want to trade chances in what could feel like a postseason preview. A 3-2 type game (or tighter) is the most likely outcome.
Player Prop: Igor Shesterkin over 29.5 saves – The Lightning fire plenty of shots, and Shesterkin should be up to the task. In a defensive duel, look for New York’s netminder to rack up saves as he holds Tampa Bay’s scorers at bay.

======

Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins (7:00 PM ET)

Odds: Penguins -110, O/U 5.5

A classic rivalry closes out the season in Pittsburgh. Neither the Capitals nor the Penguins have been defensive juggernauts – both teams hover around the league average in goals against – so this matchup could see momentum swing back and forth. Alex Ovechkin is still chasing history for Washington, and he’ll let it fly every chance he gets. Pittsburgh, led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, will want to put on a show for the home fans on fan appreciation night. With pride on the line and plenty of star power, an up-tempo game with multiple goals each way is on tap.

Best Bet: Over 5.5 Goals – The offensive talent on both sides (and middling defense) points to the over. Neither team has much to lose here, so expect the stars to trade blows and light the lamp in a fun finale.
Player Prop: Alex Ovechkin to score a goal – Ovi lives for games like this. He’ll be firing shots from everywhere as he continues to climb the all-time goals list, making him a great bet to find the back of the net at least once.

======

New York Islanders at Columbus Blue Jackets (7:00 PM ET)

Odds: Blue Jackets -130, O/U 5.5

The Islanders have had trouble generating offense down the stretch, and that’s a bad recipe even against a struggling Blue Jackets squad. Columbus, despite a tough season, has a lot of young talent eager to impress in the final game. Rookie standout Adam Fantilli and sniper Patrik Laine can capitalize if the Isles come out flat. New York’s typically stout defense hasn’t traveled well – they’ve been giving up early goals on the road and lack scoring punch to catch up. Columbus will treat this home finale like their Stanley Cup, aiming to send fans home happy.

Best Bet: Blue Jackets -130 (Moneyline) – Columbus gets the nod at home. The Blue Jackets’ youthful energy and home-ice jump should be enough to beat an Islanders team that often struggles to score. The spoiler role suits Columbus here.
Player Prop: Patrik Laine to score a goal – When he’s healthy, Laine is the Jackets’ best goal scorer. He’ll be licking his chops against an Islanders defense that has looked slow; one of his trademark one-timers could easily find twine.

======

Calgary Flames at Los Angeles Kings (9:30 PM ET)

Odds: Kings -150, O/U 5.5

The Kings have been one of the Western Conference’s most consistent teams, built on balanced scoring and sound defensive play. At home in LA, they’ve dispatched middling teams with ease. The Flames, by contrast, have had an inconsistent season and are likely playing for pride at this point. Calgary’s offense has been lukewarm and faces a tough matchup against a Kings squad that prides itself on structure and strong goaltending. Los Angeles also has extra motivation to fine-tune their game as they head into the playoffs.

Best Bet: Kings -150 (Moneyline) – Los Angeles is the superior team and has every reason to finish strong. Their offense can roll out three scoring lines that should wear down Calgary. Take the Kings to win comfortably on home ice.
Player Prop: Adrian Kempe to score a goal – Kempe leads the Kings in goals and loves playing in front of the home crowd. He’s a good bet to strike against a Flames defense that has been leaky, especially if Calgary falls behind and has to press.

Bottom Line: This exciting NHL slate offers plenty of value spots. Our NHL picks for April 17, 2025 highlight the best NHL bets today on the board – from confident moneyline plays to favorable over/unders – as well as one player prop in each game to spice up your card. Good luck and enjoy the games!

======

Kingpin PRO

Follow ranked bettors with tracked cards

This article is free analysis. PRO unlocks today’s verified bettor inventory and alerts.

See bettor cards

Simulated results. Entertainment only. Gambling involves risk.

Methodology and disclosure

Historical Kingpin articles preserve original body copy, authors, and publication dates. Structured pick or odds modules appear only when the source article provides them.

Kingpin PRO

Continue with Kingpin PRO

Transparent simulated records. Entertainment only.

Start free trial

Get the app

Simulated results. Entertainment only. Gambling involves risk.