NHL Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Thursday (4/24)
The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have a loaded four-game slate to watch tonight. Normally, I stick with two games on a Thursday slate. However, since this is the playoffs and we’ve got tons of action around the league, I’ll provide my favorite bet in all four matchups ahead of puck drop tonight.
Last week, my NHL Best Bets for Thursday, April 17th, settled 1-1. Let’s turn a profit tonight and sweep the board. Follow me on X at Matt_MacKay_ for more NHL free bets and weekly analysis throughout the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Thursday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Panthers vs. Lightning
I was all over the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of this First Round Eastern Conference series. The return of Matthew Tkachuk was massive, as the Panthers’ star forward netted a pair of goals en route to a 6-2 road win over Tampa Bay.
Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky outplayed Andrei Vasilevskiy in the net, stopping 20 of 22 shots. Vasilevskiy surrendered six goals against just 17 shots on goal, while the Lightning lost the faceoff battle and were out-hit 48-28.
The Panthers’ aggressive, physical style of play, combined with their experience and confidence gained from winning the Stanley Cup Finals last year, is keeping me bullish on Florida to take a 2-0 lead on the road in Tampa tonight. Getting the Panthers as an underdog after that Game 1 performance is an absolute gift from oddsmakers.
Let’s bet a unit on the Panthers moneyline at +105 odds.
Pick: Panthers Moneyline (+105)
Maple Leafs vs. Senators
Toronto handled Ottawa with a dominant 6-2 regulation win at home in Game 1. Then, after going up 2-0 in the 1st period, the Senators stormed back to force overtime, ultimately losing 3-2 to go down 0-2 against the Maple Leafs.
Ottawa plays its first home game of this series tonight. Goaltender Linus Ullmark will look to build off of a strong performance in Game 2, rebounding from allowing six goals on 24 shots in Game 1. Anthony Stolarz hasn’t allowed more than two goals in both starts against the Senators in this series, playing better than Ullmark with 57 combined saves against 61 shots faced.
I think we finally see Ottawa’s offense break through against Stolarz tonight. The Senators will ride off the energy of their home crowd at the Canadian Tire Centre, where Toronto has failed to cover the puck line in 11 straight trips to this arena following a home win.
Let’s bet another unit on Ottawa’s moneyline at -128 odds, steaming up from when the moneyline opened at -106.
Pick: Senators Moneyline (-128)
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
Minnesota and Vegas has been a fun and unpredictable series through two games. The Golden Knights won 4-2 in Game 1, building an early lead and never relinquishing it. Then, in Game 2, Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy took over, scoring three of the Wild’s five goals during an impressive 5-2 win on the road.
Vegas hits the road for the first time in this series tonight. The Golden Knights remain a better roster in terms of depth, while goaltender Adin Hill will look to bounce back from a bad night between the pipes in Game 2, allowing four goals on only 16 shots faced.
Kaprizov’s return ignites a lot of momentum within Minnesota’s previously stale offense. However, Vegas is an exceptional defensive team and will be eager to avenge their embarrassing home loss taken Tuesday night.
The Golden Knights have won six straight games against the Wild after a loss. Vegas has also won five straight times at the Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota’s 5-2 win snapped a four-game losing slump against the Vegas this season.
Vegas won’t waste any time scoring and will do a better job of containing Minnesota’s offense on Thursday night, leading to a regulation win. Let’s back the better team coming off of a loss and bet a unit on Vegas’ 60 minute moneyline (3 Way) line at +105 odds.
Pick: Golden Knights 60 Minute Moneyline (3 Way) (+105)
Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues
Winnipeg and St. Louis has been an extremely physical playoff series through two games. The Jets hold a commanding 2-0 lead but will be on the road against Jordan Binnington and the Blues on Thursday night.
Game 1 was tied 3-3 until Winnipeg’s F Kyle Connor scored the go-ahead goal with 90 seconds left in regulation. In Game 2, it was knotted 1-1 until early in the 3rd period when Connor once again delivered the game-winning score for Winnipeg.
St. Louis missing Dylan Holloway is huge, considering how well he played during their winning streak in the regular season. The Blues still have plenty of talent on their attack lines and Binnington has played well, standing toe to toe with MVP favorite Connor Hellebuyck in the net.
Oddsmakers have made this game virtually a pick’em with the Jets slight road favorites at -113 moneyline odds. St. Louis hasn’t lost at home in 12 straight appearances and they are the more desperate team down 0-2. Winnipeg has not covered the puck line as a road favorite in 10 consecutive games against Western Conference opponents.
St. Louis went 1-2 against the Jets during the regular season, failing to beat the Jets at home in February and early April. I see Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas and the Blues’ defensemen, Justin Faulk and Cam Fowler, stepping up to take an early lead on home ice.
Binnington has plenty of confidence and big-game experience, so I think St. Louis can hold their own with their backs against the wall. Since opening, this line has moved from the Blues +114, to where it currently sits at -106 moneyline odds.
Let’s bet one final unit on the home underdog and back the Blues to get a much-needed win against the Jets at Enterprise Center tonight.
Pick: Blues Moneyline (-106)
Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for BettingPros and FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.