NHL Playoff Predictions & Best Bets for April 23, 2025

The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, with three exciting first-round matchups on the slate. Hockey fans and bettors have a lot to look forward to as the Montreal Canadiens face the Washington Capitals, the Dallas Stars battle the Colorado Avalanche, and the Edmonton Oilers take on the Los Angeles Kings. In this article, we provide NHL playoff predictions and best bets for April 23 across each game. Read on for a game-by-game preview—including recent team form, goaltender performance, and playoff context—along with our betting picks on the moneyline, puck line, and over/under for each matchup.

Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals (Game 2 – Capitals lead 1-0)

Washington protected home ice in Game 1 of this Eastern Conference first-round series, jumping out to a 1-0 lead over Montreal. The Capitals entered the playoffs as a division leader and showed why, dictating play with their experience and depth. Montreal, which snagged a wild card spot, struggled to generate consistent offense in the series opener. The Canadiens will need a much stronger outing in Game 2 to avoid heading home down 0-2.

The Canadiens came into the postseason off an up-and-down regular season and had won only a handful of their last ten games. Scoring has been a challenge for Montreal, and it showed in Game 1 as they managed only a couple of goals against a tight Washington defense. The Capitals, on the other hand, finished the season strong and their veteran core – led by Alex Ovechkin – looked playoff-ready from the start, capitalizing on their chances in Game 1. Their power play remains a major threat. Game 2 is crucial for Montreal’s hopes while Washington aims to take a commanding 2-0 series lead before things shift to Montreal.

Goaltending could be the X-factor in this matchup. Montreal will likely start Sam Montembeault (or Jake Allen) in net, and he’ll need to elevate his game after a shaky opener. The Canadiens’ netminder must contend with a Capitals offense that consistently tests goalies with high-danger shots. At the other end, Washington’s number one goalie Darcy Kuemper is coming off a solid Game 1 and, with his playoff pedigree, gives Washington confidence in any defensive battle.

Washington also boasts a deep offense; beyond Ovechkin’s scoring touch, players like Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson can chip in at any time. Meanwhile, Montreal’s young stars Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield must find a way past the Capitals’ stout defense to get on the scoresheet and keep this game close.

Betting Outlook: Washington is favored on the moneyline for Game 2, and justifiably so given their home-ice advantage and Game 1 win. Montreal is a dangerous underdog if it can tighten up defensively, but the Habs’ recent road form doesn’t inspire much confidence. The moneyline pick leans toward the Capitals to win straight up. On the puck line (goal spread), taking the Capitals -1.5 is a solid option – Washington has the firepower to pull away if Montreal presses late (an empty-net goal could seal a two-goal win). As for the total, expect a relatively tight game. Montreal’s offense hasn’t been explosive, and Washington can shut teams down once ahead, so the over/under of 5.5 goals leans Under. A final score in the neighborhood of 4-1 or 3-2 in favor of Washington seems plausible.

• Moneyline: Capitals to win (Washington straight up)

• Puck Line: Capitals -1.5 (Washington to win by 2 or more goals)

• Total Goals: Under 5.5 goals (likely a defensive battle)

Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche (Game 3 – Series tied 1-1)

After two thrilling games in Colorado, this Western Conference series is knotted at 1-1. The Stars and Avalanche split the first two contests, with each team showcasing why this matchup was highly anticipated. Colorado’s potent offense shone in Game 1 to grab a win, but Dallas answered back in Game 2 with disciplined defense and timely scoring. Now the series shifts to Dallas for Game 3, where the Stars will enjoy home ice and the momentum of their Game 2 victory. Both teams know the importance of this third game – it’s often a turning point in a 1-1 series.

Dallas carried its solid two-way play from the regular season into the playoffs. Aside from the stumble in the opener, the Stars have been consistently hard-working, as shown by their resilient win in Game 2. Colorado, meanwhile, also came into the series in great form. The Avalanche showed flashes of their 2022 championship dominance and were one of the league’s hottest teams down the stretch.

Offensively, Colorado has immense firepower led by Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, who have already made their presence felt in this series. Dallas can counter with a balanced attack of its own – Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and veteran Joe Pavelski are all capable of matching the Avalanche goal for goal. With the series tied, Game 3 becomes pivotal: both sides are eager to seize control, knowing that a win will put them just two victories away from advancing.

In goal, a fascinating battle is unfolding between two talented netminders. Dallas’s Jake Oettinger has built a reputation as a clutch playoff performer after his heroics last year, and he was excellent in Game 2, making critical saves to hold off Colorado’s late push. Oettinger tends to play even better on home ice, which bodes well for the Stars in Game 3. At the other end, Colorado’s Alexandar Georgiev had a strong regular season and was solid in the Game 1 win, though he showed some vulnerability once the Stars ramped up pressure in Game 2. Ultimately, whichever goalie can outduel the other may decide this game, especially if it stays close deep into the third period.

Also keep an eye on special teams. The Avalanche possess a lethal power play that will make Dallas pay for any costly penalties. Conversely, the Stars’ own man-advantage (quarterbacked by defenseman Miro Heiskanen and fueled by Robertson’s one-timer) could swing momentum if it converts. Expect a high-intensity, physical game as both clubs understand the significance of grabbing the series lead.

Betting Outlook: Given how tight the first two games have been, Game 3 is essentially a toss-up. The Stars might be slight favorites at home, but the moneyline is close to even. We give a slight edge to Dallas to win, riding the confidence from Game 2 and the boost from their home crowd. On the puck line, backing the underdog Avalanche +1.5 is an attractive play since many recent meetings between these teams have been decided by a single goal. As for the over/under, the total is likely set around 5.5 goals. With so much offensive talent on both sides, we lean Over 5.5 in Game 3. Each team has scored at least three goals once in the series so far, and the pace of play suggests we could see enough scoring chances to reach six or more total goals. A 4-3 type of result would not be surprising given the star power on the ice.

• Moneyline: Stars to win (Dallas to take Game 3 at home)

• Puck Line: Avalanche +1.5 (Colorado to keep the game within one goal)

• Total Goals: Over 5.5 goals (expect both offenses to push the total higher)

Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings (Game 2 – Kings lead 1-0)

The Los Angeles Kings stunned the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of this Pacific Division first-round matchup, stealing a 1-0 series lead on the road. Now the pressure is squarely on the Oilers in Game 2 on home ice. Edmonton entered the series as the favorite, powered by the league’s most explosive offense, but the Kings’ structured defense and playoff experience proved effective at containing them in the opener. This sets the stage for a pivotal momentum swing – Edmonton needs a win to avoid going down 0-2 before the series shifts to Los Angeles, while the Kings are looking to put the Oilers on the ropes.

The Oilers were one of the NHL’s hottest teams as the regular season wound down, riding a wave of wins thanks to their high-octane attack. Superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been virtually unstoppable, leading Edmonton to a top seed in the West. However, in Game 1 the Oilers’ offense was held in check for long stretches, and a couple of defensive lapses proved costly.

Los Angeles, by contrast, came into the playoffs playing a disciplined, defense-first style that served them well in the final month of the season. The Kings have been a stingy team all year, backed by solid goaltending and a commitment to team defense. Their Game 1 victory in Edmonton has given the Kings confidence and a valuable edge in the series. Heading into Game 2, the Oilers’ sense of urgency will be off the charts. It’s as close to a “must-win” as it gets for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.

In this matchup, the goaltending battle is a key storyline. The Oilers’ goaltender (likely Stuart Skinner) is under the microscope after the Game 1 loss. Edmonton’s Achilles heel in recent years has been inconsistent goaltending, so Skinner must deliver a bounce-back performance to support his superstar teammates. In the opposite crease, the Kings benefited from strong play by their netminder in Game 1 – whether it’s veteran Jonathan Quick’s successor or an emerging talent like Pheonix Copley, the LA goalie stood tall and turned aside Edmonton’s late flurry of shots.

Beyond goaltending, expect the Oilers to make some adjustments in Game 2. McDavid and Draisaitl will surely find ways to generate more chances, especially on the power play where Edmonton led the league during the regular season. The Kings will lean on veterans like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty to keep the team composed and stick to their game plan. If Los Angeles can weather the early storm from a desperate Oilers squad and capitalize on counter-attack opportunities (with scoring threats like Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala lurking), they could frustrate Edmonton again. Still, given Edmonton’s talent, we anticipate the Oilers will come out flying, feeding off the home crowd’s energy to even the series.

Betting Outlook: Despite the Game 1 setback, Edmonton remains the betting favorite for Game 2, as oddsmakers expect a strong response from the Oilers. We likewise predict the moneyline result will be an Oilers win, given their track record of bouncing back and the sheer offensive firepower they possess. On the puck line, Edmonton -1.5 is a reasonable bet if you anticipate the Oilers’ offense to erupt – if they get an early lead, they could force the Kings to open up, leading to a multi-goal victory (perhaps clinched by a late empty-netter). The over/under for this game is one of the higher totals of the night (around 6.5 goals) due to Edmonton’s scoring prowess. We lean Over 6.5 goals – the Oilers averaged well over three goals per game at home, and the Kings have enough skill to contribute a few goals of their own. Game 1 was a nail-biter, but Game 2 could see more scoring if Edmonton’s stars break loose. A final score in the range of 5-3 for Edmonton feels within reach.

• Moneyline: Oilers to win (Edmonton to even the series 1-1)

• Puck Line: Oilers -1.5 (Edmonton to win by two or more goals)

• Total Goals: Over 6.5 goals (expect a higher-scoring game given the Oilers’ offense)

FAQ: Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 23, 2025

Who will win Avalanche vs Stars Game 3?
We predict the Dallas Stars will win a close Game 3 on home ice. Dallas’s strong goaltending and the boost from their fans could be the difference, allowing the Stars to edge out the Colorado Avalanche and take a 2-1 series lead.

What time is Oilers vs Kings tonight?
The Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings Game 2 is scheduled for the evening of April 23, 2025. Puck drop is set for approximately 9:30 PM ET (7:30 PM local time in Edmonton). It’s always a good idea to check your local listings or the NHL’s official schedule for any last-minute time changes.

Capitals vs Canadiens betting prediction?
We expect the Washington Capitals to win Game 2 against the Montreal Canadiens. The best bet is on Washington to win (moneyline) and to cover the -1.5 goal puck line given their edge in experience and scoring depth. This matchup is also likely to be relatively low-scoring, so taking the under on the total goals is recommended. In summary, the Capitals are expected to come out on top in Game 2.