NHL Playoff Betting Picks: April 20-21, 2025

New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes (Game 1)

Sunday, April 20 – 3:00 PM ET (ESPN)
Line: CAR -210; Total: 5.5 goals

Carolina enters this series as a heavy favorite thanks to their playoff experience and stingy defensive system. The Hurricanes play an aggressive forecheck and team-oriented game that consistently puts them in a position to win, though at times they’ve struggled to finish chances in tight contests. New Jersey, by contrast, is a younger squad making just its third postseason appearance since 2012. Worse, the Devils will be without star center Jack Hughes, who underwent shoulder surgery in March and is out for the playoffs – a huge blow to their offense. Without Hughes’ playmaking, New Jersey will lean on Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, but generating quality chances against Carolina’s well-structured defense on the road will be a challenge. Expect the Hurricanes to control possession and tempo on home ice, likely keeping the scoring modest while grinding out a result in front of their fans.

Moneyline: Hurricanes (-210) – Carolina’s depth and home-ice edge against a shorthanded Devils squad give them the clear upper hand.
Puck Line: Hurricanes -1.5 – With New Jersey’s top scorer sidelined, the Canes can pull away by a couple of goals behind their superior two-way play.
Total: Under 5.5 – The Hurricanes excel at suffocating opponents, and the Devils may struggle to score, pointing to a low-scoring battle.
Prop: Sebastian Aho to score a goal – Aho is Carolina’s offensive catalyst and should capitalize on New Jersey’s weakened center depth to find the back of the net.

Best Bet: Under 5.5 goals. Carolina’s defense-first approach and the absence of Hughes for New Jersey suggest a tight, low-scoring opener.

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Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs (Game 1)

Sunday, April 20 – 7:00 PM ET (ESPN2)
Line: TOR -160; Total: 5.5 goals

The Battle of Ontario is rekindled in the playoffs for the first time since 2004, and it promises intensity and drama. Toronto boasts an explosive offense led by Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander, and they reinforced their defense at the trade deadline. (Notably, the Leafs brought in veterans Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo to solidify the blue line, and goalie Anthony Stolarz won his last eight regular-season starts.) Coach Craig Berube – hired this season to instill a tougher, north-south style – has Toronto focused on overcoming its past playoff stumbles. On the other side, Ottawa finally returns to the postseason (first appearance since 2017) with a hungry young core. Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle lead a Senators team that grabbed the East’s top wild-card spot, and they have a secret weapon in net: Linus Ullmark (the former Vezina winner) has given the Sens reliable goaltending to back their improved structure under new coach Travis Green. Ottawa actually went 3-0 against Toronto in the regular season, including two victories at Scotiabank Arena, so they won’t be intimidated in this rivalry matchup. Toronto’s firepower and home-ice advantage make them rightful favorites, but expect a hard-fought game. The Senators’ physical style and strong goaltending should keep it close, and both sides have the offensive talent to trade goals as emotions run high.

Moneyline: Maple Leafs (-160) – Toronto’s star-laden lineup and playoff experience should propel them to a home win, though it won’t come easy.
Puck Line: Senators +1.5 – Five of the last six Battle of Ontario games have been decided by two or fewer goals, and Ottawa’s confidence against Toronto suggests this opener will be tight. Taking the goal-and-a-half with the Sens provides a cushion in what could be a one-goal game.
Total: Over 5.5 – Both teams feature high-powered offenses and question marks in defensive consistency. Add in rivalry-fueled power plays, and the scoreboard could light up (a 4-3 or 5-3 type game is very plausible).
Prop: Auston Matthews to score a goal – Matthews is built for big moments and has a history of tormenting Ottawa. Look for the Leafs’ sniper to rise to the occasion and find the net in front of the home crowd.

Best Bet: Over 5.5 goals. Between Toronto’s elite scorers and Ottawa’s youthful offensive punch, expect an uptempo game with plenty of scoring chances and a total that clears the 5.5 mark.

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Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights (Game 1)

Sunday, April 20 – 10:00 PM ET (ESPN)
Line: VGK -195; Total: 5.5 goals

The defending Pacific Division champion Golden Knights come into Game 1 healthy and firing on all cylinders. Vegas set a franchise record with 274 goals this season, showcasing impressive depth scoring despite some key departures (longtime winger Jonathan Marchessault is no longer with the team). Jack Eichel centers a balanced attack and trade acquisition Tomas Hertl (32 goals) has bolstered their offense, while captain Mark Stone is back from injury to lead by example. Vegas’s depth is a major advantage – they roll four lines that can contribute, and that yielded a +60 goal differential during the regular season. On the other side, Minnesota had to claw through significant injuries in the regular season (Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Jonas Brodin all missed big chunks of time), but the Wild finally have their full roster intact. They earned the top wild-card spot and are a battle-tested group, though their scoring sputtered at times when Kaprizov was out. Now with their star winger and key center (Eriksson Ek) healthy, the Wild hope to surprise Vegas with a more potent attack than the Knights saw in any of their meetings this year. Still, facing a deep Vegas squad on home ice at T-Mobile Arena – where the crowd and atmosphere give the Knights a big boost – is a tall order. Minnesota will lean on goaltender Filip Gustavsson (and perhaps veteran Marc-André Fleury in relief) to keep things close, but if this turns into a track meet, Vegas has the clear edge. Look for the Golden Knights to dictate a fast pace and for Minnesota to try to counter-punch with Kaprizov’s line. Vegas has historically had the upper hand in this matchup and appears poised to strike first in the series.

Moneyline: Golden Knights (-195) – Vegas’s depth and home-ice energy make them a strong pick to win Game 1 straight up. They simply have more weapons at their disposal than Minnesota when both are at full strength.
Puck Line: Golden Knights -1.5 – The Knights’ offense can score in bunches, and an empty-netter is always in play if they’re protecting a lead. With Vegas averaging well over 3 goals per game, a multi-goal win is within reach here.
Total: Over 5.5 – With Vegas playing an up-tempo style and the Wild getting their scorers back, we could see a higher-scoring game. Minnesota might need to open up to keep pace, which could turn this into a 4-2 or 5-3 type of result.
Prop: Jack Eichel to score a goal – Eichel has been a driving force for Vegas, and he’ll be eager to make his mark in this year’s playoffs. He led the team in goals during the season and should find opportunities against Minnesota’s defense as the Knights press on offense.

Best Bet: Vegas -1.5 (puck line). The Golden Knights’ firepower and home dominance suggest they can win by a margin. Laying the 1.5 goals provides a nice plus-money payout in a matchup that Vegas could control from start to finish.

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Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals (Game 1)

Monday, April 21 – 7:00 PM ET (ESPN)
Line: WSH -190; Total: 5.5 goals

The top-seeded Capitals begin their playoff run against a Montreal team that is playing with house money. Washington had a superb regular season, claiming the Metro Division’s top spot behind a structured team defense and the ever-dangerous Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin may be nearing 40 years old, but he remains an elite goal scorer (especially on the power play) and provides a huge experience edge for Washington. The Caps also have solid goaltending (Darcy Kuemper and company) and a deep roster of veterans that know how to handle playoff pressure. In contrast, the Canadiens are a young squad that barely clinched a postseason berth in the final days of the season. Montreal’s exciting rookie winger Ivan Demidov – the 19-year-old who was the fifth overall pick in 2024 – gave the team a late spark, even helping them secure a playoff spot with some highlight-reel plays in the last week. He’s added energy and skill alongside emerging stars like Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. However, this will be Montreal’s first playoff game for many of their key players and even for coach Martin St. Louis. Facing a seasoned Capitals group on the road is a daunting introduction. The Canadiens will try to play fast and loose, but they’ll need goaltending heroics and disciplined defense to withstand Washington’s attack. The Caps, with home ice and a roaring crowd, should be motivated to start strong and not give the underdogs any early hope. Look for Washington to dictate play with their heavy forecheck and physicality, while Montreal aims to counter with speed. In the end, the gap in experience and two-way consistency is significant here.

Moneyline: Capitals (-190) – Washington is the better team top to bottom and should win this opener on home ice. They have the scoring depth and defensive reliability that Montreal lacks at this stage.
Puck Line: Capitals -1.5 – Given Washington’s playoff pedigree and Montreal’s tendency to give up goals, a win by 2+ goals is achievable. If the Caps get ahead, the young Habs could press and be vulnerable to a late insurance goal (or Ovechkin empty-netter).
Total: Under 5.5 – Montreal may find it hard to crack the Caps’ defense consistently. Meanwhile, Washington could be content to lock things down if they get a lead. A 4-1 or 3-2 type of game stays under the number.
Prop: Alex Ovechkin to score a goal – The Capitals’ captain lives for the playoff spotlight and will be licking his chops on the power play against Montreal’s 23rd-ranked penalty kill. Don’t be surprised if Ovi unleashes his trademark one-timer for a goal in this game.

Best Bet: Capitals -1.5 (puck line). Washington’s experience and firepower at home should carry them to a multi-goal victory. Montreal’s inexperience could show early, allowing the Caps to pull away and cover the puck line.

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St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets (Game 2)

Monday, April 21 – 7:30 PM ET (ESPN2)
Line: WPG -190; Total: 5.5 goals
(Winnipeg leads series 1-0)

The Winnipeg Jets came into the playoffs as the NHL’s best regular-season team (56-22-4), and they showed why in Game 1 with a thrilling 5-3 comeback win. The Jets’ high-octane offense, led by Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, proved it can strike quickly and often. In the opener, Connor had a goal (the late game-winner) and two assists, while Scheifele tallied a goal and two assists as well – both stars looked unstoppable in the third period. Winnipeg’s depth was on display, as even third-liner Alex Iafallo scored a clutch goal, and the Jets outshot St. Louis 9-2 in the final frame, seizing control. On the other side, the Blues showed some fight and physicality. St. Louis actually held a 3-2 lead early in the second period of Game 1, thanks to two power-play goals (from Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas) and a gritty effort that saw them outhit Winnipeg by a wide margin. However, the Blues couldn’t withstand the Jets’ pressure for the full 60 minutes. Goalie Jordan Binnington was solid early but eventually cracked as Winnipeg’s relentless attack wore down the Blues’ defense. Now down 0-1 in the series, St. Louis will be desperate to avoid a two-game hole. They’ll try to tighten up defensively and stay out of the penalty box, while leaning on veterans like Brayden Schenn and Pavel Buchnevich to generate offense at even strength. The Jets, buoyed by one of the loudest home crowds in hockey (the Winnipeg “whiteout”), will look to keep their foot on the gas. With Vezina-caliber netminder Connor Hellebuyck in goal and confidence from the comeback, Winnipeg has both the skill and momentum edge. Unless the Blues can significantly slow the pace and play a perfect road game, the Jets have a great chance to take a 2-0 series lead.

Moneyline: Jets (-190) – Winnipeg has the talent and form to win again at home. As the Presidents’ Trophy winners, they have rarely lost two straight on home ice all year.
Puck Line: Jets -1.5 – Game 1 was a two-goal win (with an empty-netter), and the Jets’ explosive offense could put the Blues in a position to chase late once more. Winnipeg’s last five wins have all been by 2+ goals; if they get an early lead, they can snowball it.
Total: Over 5.5 – The first game hit 8 total goals, and the Over has now cashed in five of the Blues’ last seven games. St. Louis knows it needs to open up and score to keep up with Winnipeg, but that approach also plays into the Jets’ quick-strike offense. Another 4-2 or 5-3 type game could be on tap.
Prop: Kyle Connor to score a goal – Connor is buzzing after a three-point night in Game 1. He’s a pure sniper with a quick release, and he led Winnipeg in goals during the season. With the confidence from the last game-winning goal, he’s a good bet to light the lamp in Game 2.

Best Bet: Jets -1.5 (puck line). Winnipeg’s offense is firing and their confidence is sky-high. Laying the goal-and-a-half offers strong value given how dominant the Jets looked in the third period of Game 1. If the Blues fade late again, Winnipeg can easily secure a multi-goal victory.

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Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars (Game 2)

Monday, April 21 – 9:30 PM ET (ESPN)
Line: COL -145; Total: 6.5 goals
(Colorado leads series 1-0)

The Colorado Avalanche made a loud statement in Game 1, rolling to a 5-1 win on the road to seize a 1-0 series lead. Nathan MacKinnon was electric, scoring two goals and pushing the pace every time he touched the puck. Colorado looked every bit like the championship-caliber team they were in 2022, overwhelming Dallas with speed and forechecking. It’s clear the Avs have regained a lot of their mojo after an up-and-down regular season. They also got contributions from newcomers – for instance, veteran center Brock Nelson (acquired at the deadline) chipped in offensively, adding another layer to Colorado’s attack. For the Stars, Game 1 was a wake-up call. Dallas had an excellent regular season (50 wins), but they stumbled into the playoffs in poor form and it showed. Their usually stout defense was caught flat-footed, and star goalie Jake Oettinger gave up four goals before the Avalanche eased off. The good news for Dallas: a veteran team like theirs often responds after a bad loss. Expect a much better effort from the Stars in Game 2, especially defensively. Coach Pete DeBoer likely spent the off-day making adjustments to slow down MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, perhaps by matching the shutdown line of Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson against them and tightening the neutral zone. Offensively, Dallas needs its big guns to step up – players like Robertson (46 goals in the regular season) and Joe Pavelski were held quiet in Game 1. With the home crowd urging them on, the Stars should come out with urgency to avoid falling behind 0-2. This matchup is closer than the first game’s score indicated; remember, Dallas has one of the league’s best goalies in Oettinger and a balanced lineup of their own. We anticipate a closer contest in Game 2, likely a low-scoring duel as Dallas tries to muck things up and Colorado focuses on protecting its lead in the series. The Avalanche are still slight favorites given their pedigree, but don’t count out the Stars’ pride in this pivotal game.

Moneyline: Stars (+125) – This is a prime bounce-back spot for Dallas. They’re too good to go down without a fight. With Oettinger likely sharpening his play and the Stars historically strong at home, taking the plus-odds on Dallas to even the series is a savvy play.
Puck Line: Stars +1.5 – Even if you’re not convinced Dallas will win outright, they should at least keep it razor-thin. The Stars rarely get blown out, and after losing by 4 goals, they’ll tighten up significantly. Grabbing the 1.5 goals covers a one-goal loss or an overtime game, which feels very possible here.
Total: Under 6.5 – Game 1 sailed under this high total (5-1 score). Now with adjustments coming, we should see a more defensive chess match. Dallas will prioritize slowing the tempo, and Colorado is content to play smart road hockey with a series lead. A 3-2 or 4-2 game (even with an empty-netter) would land under 6.5.
Prop: Jason Robertson to score a goal – If the Stars are going to rebound, they need their top sniper to get on the board. Robertson led Dallas in goals and has a knack for responding after being held scoreless. Look for him to find space on the power play or off a rush to bury one in Game 2.

Best Bet: Under 6.5 goals. Expect a much tighter game as Dallas clamps down defensively and Oettinger elevates his play. Both teams understand the importance of this swing game, which should translate to careful, defense-first hockey and a total that stays under the lofty number.

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Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings (Game 1)

Monday, April 21 – 10:00 PM ET (ESPN2)
Line: LA -125; Total: 5.5 goals

A compelling rematch is set in the Western Conference as the Oilers and Kings face off in Round 1 for the third straight year. This time, Los Angeles holds home-ice advantage and comes in with a quiet confidence. The Kings won three of four meetings against Edmonton during the regular season and even shut out the Oilers 5-0 in the final matchup on April 14. LA’s defensive structure has been excellent: they allowed just 203 goals all season (one of the best marks in the league) thanks to strong team defense and solid goaltending. Offensively, the Kings are no slouches either. Adrian Kempe (35 goals) leads a balanced attack that was bolstered by the addition of winger Andrei Kuzmenko (acquired mid-season, he chipped in 13 points in the last 10 games). Veterans Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault anchor two-way lines that can match up with Edmonton’s stars, and forward Kevin Fiala (if healthy) provides an additional scoring punch. On the other side, Edmonton still has the NHL’s most dynamic duo in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Draisaitl scored 52 goals this year, and McDavid—though not mentioned in the stat sheet snippet—likely put up his usual gaudy numbers (he’s the engine of the Oilers offense). However, the Oilers as a team have shown a newfound commitment to defense down the stretch (just 2.2 goals against per game in their last 10). They’ll need that, because the Kings excel at grinding games down to a slower pace. Edmonton’s biggest question mark is in goal: young Stuart Skinner had an up-and-down year, and behind him, Jack Campbell has been inconsistent. If the Oilers can’t get timely saves, all the pressure falls on their forwards to outscore any mistakes. In this Game 1, anticipate a tight battle. LA will try to replicate the formula that worked in the regular season: clog the neutral zone, be physical on McDavid, and capitalize on counter-attacks. The Oilers will look to their power play (historically lethal) to tilt things in their favor, especially if 5-on-5 chances are hard to come by. It’s a true clash of styles, and it might take a period or two for the teams to feel each other out. Given the Kings’ recent success against Edmonton and home advantage, they get a slight nod, but this game could easily go down to the wire.

Moneyline: Kings (-125) – Los Angeles’ balance and defensive discipline give them the edge at home. They’ve proven they can contain the Oilers’ stars just enough to come out on top, and their offense has been clicking late in the season.
Puck Line: Oilers +1.5 – These teams tend to play close games in the playoffs. In the past two postseasons, six of their combined twelve meetings were one-goal affairs (many decided in OT). Edmonton has the firepower to keep any game tight, so taking the goal and a half is a prudent move in what should be a one-goal game either way.
Total: Under 5.5 – Expect playoff intensity and strong defensive efforts from both sides. The Kings will aim to replicate that 5-0 shutout formula (not the score, but the defensive mastery), and Edmonton knows it must tighten up to win on the road. Unless special teams run wild, goals will be at a premium. A 3-2 type final is likely.
Prop: Adrian Kempe to score a goal – Kempe led the Kings in goals and is their go-to shooter, especially against an Oilers penalty kill that can be average. He scored in bunches late in the season and has the speed to slip past Edmonton’s defense for a quality chance. In a game where attention will be on McDavid and Draisaitl, watch for Kempe to quietly be the difference-maker with a timely goal.

Best Bet: Under 5.5 goals. Both teams have recently emphasized team defense and received good goaltending. With the tension of a Game 1 and two evenly matched clubs, a low-scoring duel is the most likely scenario to kick off this series.

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Each of these seven matchups offers intriguing betting angles. By focusing on the specific game conditions and team tendencies, we’ve identified strong picks for the moneyline, puck line, total, and a player prop in each contest. Good luck and enjoy the games – the Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and the action is just getting started!

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