The NHL Playoffs resume with four games on Tuesday night. The early window features Devils vs. Hurricanes Game 2 with Carolina leading the series 1-0, Senators vs. Maple Leafs Game 2 with Toronto leading the series 1-0, and Panthers vs. Lightning Game 1.
Later on tonight we get Wild vs. Golden Knights Game 2 with Vegas leading the series 1-0.
Our staff of hockey betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified 4 NHL picks for tonight's contests. Continue below for our NHL best bets and predictions for Tuesday, April 22.
NHL Best Bets Today for First Round Playoff Games on Tuesday, April 22
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | Over 5.5 (-120) |
  | 8:30 p.m. | Evan Rodrigues Under 1.5 Shots on Goal (+114) |
| 8:30 p.m. | Victor Hedman Under 1.5 Blocked Shots (+150) |
  | 11 p.m. | Alex Pietrangelo Over 0.5 Points (+250) |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Senators vs. Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs can certainly be proud of their performance in Game 1 and were clearly the much sharper side. If their power play can continue to be remotely as dominant as it was in the series opener, this could be a pretty short series, as Ottawa likely will not be able to account for that deficit at even strength trying to score versus an in-form Anthony Stolarz.
While the Leafs had a good showing in Game 1, the Senators could certainly make this game more competitive if they can offer a more disciplined performance in this matchup. They will also need a sharper performance from Linus Ullmark, who could be in tough in this series as the Leafs' top offensive stars look desperate to prove they can perform in the postseason.
Goal scoring does tick down considerably in the postseason, but the most notable reduction in production comes in Games 6 and 7, when things really get tight and the refs put the whistles away.
Overs are 6-3-0 in the 2024-25 playoffs so far, and I’m not convinced this series deserves to feature a low total of 5.5 just yet. It feels tough to bank on Ullmark being overly sharp in this matchup, but the Senators were able to generate some good looks in Game 1 and could be able to manage a better offensive output in this matchup.
Pick: Over 5.5 (-120)
Panthers vs. Lightning
By Dana Forden
At the end of the season, Evan Rodrigues had a pretty big role for the Florida Panthers, playing a good amount on both the power play and at 5-on-5.
But tonight, he is expected to be on the fourth line and the second power-play unit, so his role should be small.
Last season, during the Panthers' run to the championship, Kevin Stenlund was on their fourth line the entire time and played fewer than nine minutes per game of 5-on-5 time.
I'd expect similar from Rodrigues tonight despite playing 13.7 minutes per game of even-strength time during the regular season.
Pick: Evan Rodrigues Under 1.5 Shots on Goal (+114)
By Prop Model
The blocks prop for Victor Hedman looks like a strong wager based on the current data. The line of 1.5 compares favorably based on our NHL projections.
The prop projects to hit 47.88% of the time based on the assumptions, and that represents a 7.88% edge.
NHL prop model is derived from our proprietary player projections model and a range of outcomes for each NHL stat category.
Pick: Victor Hedman Under 1.5 Blocked Shots (+150)
Wild vs. Golden Knights
By Dana Forden
Alex Pietrangelo has scored 0.46 points per game this season and 0.52 per game last season, and over that time, he has points in 52 of 136 games (38.2%).
He had seven points in his last 10 games of the regular season and scored a point in Game 1.
The Wild aren't an especially good defensive team, so with Pietrangelo having home-ice, this is an OK matchup as well.
I don't like this bet at every sportsbook, so make sure to check the odds, but I think it's a good one at bet365.
Pick: Alex Pietrangelo Over 0.5 Points (+250)
