NHL Best Bets Today: Targeting Panthers, Maple Leafs in Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday, April 22nd

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs has four games on tap for Tuesday night's First Round slate. This includes the final series getting underway between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

We've seen some electric finishes so far in the First Round. Late comebacks, overtime wins and plenty of good and bad beats for NHL bettors have transpired during the first three days of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL handicapper Matt MacKay is back to share his best bets for each game during Tuesday's loaded NHL Stanley Cup Playoff slate. Follow Matt's X account for more NHL betting insight and free picks throughout the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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NHL Best Bets Today: TUESDAY, APRIL 22ND

NEW JERSEY DEVILS VS. CAROLINA HURRICANES

Injury luck is simply not on New Jersey's side in this Eastern Conference First Round series against Carolina. The Hurricanes took an early 1-0 lead in the 1st period and built a 3-0 lead in the 2nd period, before Nico Hischier netted New Jersey's lone goal.

Carolina has been a much better team at home than on the road in 2025. Factor in Jack Hughes' absence due to injury, plus additional injuries that occurred during Game 1, have put New Jersey into a difficult spot without depth.

The Devils went 0-2 on powerplay opportunities and were outshot 45-24 on Sunday. Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen bounced back from a few lackluster starts by recording 23 saves against 24 shots.

I don't expect much to change from Game 1 to Game 2. Carolina's healthier, more talented and plays significantly better on home ice. New Jersey is playing without its best forward and they've only scored more than two goals once in their last six games.

Let's bet a unit on Carolina to cover their -1.5 puck line as favorites at +102 odds for Game 2.

• Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (+102) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best Devils vs. Hurricanes odds

OTTAWA SENATORS VS. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

I was completely wrong about Ottawa being able to scrap with Toronto to spring a Game 1 upset on the road. The Senators were handled by the Maple Leafs, losing 6-2, despite recording nine more shots on goal.

Linus Ullmark played poorly in the crease for Ottawa, while Anthony Stolarz continued his dominance in the net for Toronto. The goaltending discrepancy was the big deciding factor in Game 1.

Prior to their loss, Ottawa had beaten Toronto five straight times. Brady Tkachuk's presence on the ice should boost the Senators' confidence on offense, especially with heightened physicality. Yet the Maple Leafs simply have too many talented scorers like Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Auston Matthews.

Toronto has only lost once in its last 11 games played. The Maple Leafs are currently riding a six-game winning streak and should continue to light the lamp at home against Ottawa on Tuesday night, taking a 2-0 series lead onto the road.

Let's drink some juice and bet two units on Toronto to win outright at -170 odds.

• Pick: Maple Leafs Moneyline (-170) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best Senators vs. Leafs odds

FLORIDA PANTHERS VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

The best game on Tuesday's slate is undoubtedly Game 1 between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Panthers won the Stanley Cup Finals over Edmonton in seven games last year, and now, most of their star players are healthy and expected back in tonight's lineup.

Matthew Tkachuk is the big boost that Florida needs heading into a road game against the NHL's top scoring offense. Tampa Bay led all teams with 3.56 goals per game this season. Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel and Jake Guentzel are all phenomenal players who will test Sergei Bobrovsky in the crease.

Due to Andrei Vasilevskiy and Bobrovsky both bringing plenty of experience as Stanley Cup champions and Vezina Trophy winners into this matchup, it's tempting to consider betting under 5.5 total goals. Under 5.5 has hit twice in four games played between Florida and Tampa Bay this season.

These teams each won a game on the road, splitting their regular season series at 2-2. The return of Tkachuk cannot be overstated. Tampa Bay's a quality team but they go through stretches of mediocrity and Florida's defense and physicality will present problems for the Lightning offense.

Let's bet a unit on the Panthers moneyline in Game 1. Florida will head across the state to Amalie Arena and come away with the win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday night.

• Pick: Panthers Moneyline (+100) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best Panthers vs. Lightning odds

MINNESOTA WILD VS. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Minnesota and Vegas regroup for Game 2 following a chaotic finish to Game 1. Vegas controlled the puck and dictated their preferred pace in Game 1, managing a 4-2 win on home ice.

Vegas' empty-net goal with .1 seconds remaining in the game led to the Golden Knights covering -1.5 and the goal total going over 5.5. Initially, this goal was called off, until replay allowed officials to overturn their call, leading to the worst beat of the NHL playoffs for Wild +1.5 and under 5.5 bettors.

I expect another physical, low-scoring game between the Wild and Golden Knights in Game 2. Adin Hill and Filip Gustavsson both played well in between the pipes, despite both offenses generating quality looks to score in the offensive zone.

These teams both have stout defensive pairings and quality goaltending, which is why I'm going to recommend betting a final unit on under 5.5 total goals tonight. I expect a 2-0, 3-1, or 3-2 final score, with Vegas likely taking a 2-0 lead in this series.

• Pick: Under 5.5 (-108) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best Wild vs. Golden Knights odds

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