Best NHL Playoffs Bets Today: Should You Back Connor McDavid, Oilers on Road in Game 2?
The Edmonton Oilers will take on the Golden Knights out west, looking for a 2-0 series lead on the road. Meanwhile, the Caps and Canes will face off in another defensive grudge match. Matt MacKay previews both games and gives his NHL Best Bets today for the Stanley Cup Playoffs action.
Matt MacKay - May 8, 2025, 4:35 PM EDT
4 minBest NHL Playoffs Bets Today: Should You Back Connor McDavid, Oilers on Road in Game 2?
The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are heating up in the Second Round. Tonight, we've got two great matchups to bet, with each conference on display. Carolina and Washington are followed by Edmonton and Vegas, with both road teams recording wins in Game 1.
Carolina rallied late against Washington in Game 1, resulting in a 2-1 overtime win for the Hurricanes. Oddsmakers continue to value the Hurricanes ahead of Game 2 as -134 moneyline favorites on the road. Out West, the Golden Knights blew a 2-0 lead during a 4-2 loss against the Oilers. Vegas is an even bigger moneyline favorite at home tonight at -142 odds.
Last week's NHL Best Bets went 1-2-1. We hit on Edmonton -1 (-113) as the Oilers closed out the Los Angeles Kings with a 6-4 win on home ice. Minnesota's 3-2 loss pushed Wild +1 (-125). Losses were Senators moneyline (-118) in a 4-2 home loss against Toronto and under 6.5 total goals during Colorado's 7-4 win over Dallas in Game 6.
NHL handicapper Matt MacKay is here with a pair of best bets to tail ahead of Thursday's two-game 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: Thursday, May 8
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals Prediction
Carolina outplayed Washington in Game 1 but it took a third period goal from Logan Stankoven to level the score at 1-1. The Hurricanes outshot the Capitals 33-14 but fell into a 1-0 deficit for 26 minutes after Aliaksei Protas netted Washington's lone goal.
The Capitals were playing not to lose and a costly mistake in the defensive zone led to Stankoven's equalizer. Hurricanes D Jaccob Slavin netted the game-winner only three minutes into overtime to grab a 1-0 series lead on the road.
Logan Thompson played phenomenal between the pipes for Washington, bailing the Capitals out for the majority of their Game 1 tilt against Carolina. Alex Ovechkin and the rest of Washington's top scorers were nowhere to be found, failing to breakthrough Carolina's smothering defense.
The return of Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen from injury helped shore up the back-end, as he came up with a few big-time saves in Game 1. Carolina remains a marginal favorite on the road for Game 2, available to bet at -134 odds in moneyline markets.
The goal total is set to 5.5, with -115 odds on over 5.5 total goals. It was a slugfest in Game 1, with Washington blocking 32 shots. Carolina blocked nine shots in comparison, showing just how dominant the Hurricanes were in the offensive zone.
Washington needs to find a way to generate more offense and scoring chances in Game 2. Especially with how well the Hurricanes played at home during the regular season and in the First Round against New Jersey.
Instead of backing a side in Game 2, I feel most confident taking the value on under 5.5 total goals. Seven of Washington's last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone under the total goals line.
We've got two talented goaltenders in Andersen and Thompson patrolling the crease, which helps justify taking the goal total under. Washington inspired no confidence with its anemic offense in Game 1, while their defense constantly blocked Carolina's shot attempts.
I think we see another low-scoring matchup in Game 2. It may not be 2-1 but this feels like it could be a final score of 3-2 or 4-1. Let's bet a unit on under 5.5 total goals between Carolina and Washington tonight.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals Pick
- Pick: Under 5.5 Total Goals (-102) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best Hurricanes vs. Capitals odds
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights Prediction
Edmonton didn't flinch after going down 2-0 in the 1st period in Vegas during Game 1. Corey Perry scored late in the opening frame to cut the deficit to 2-1 before intermission.
A scoreless 2nd period led to the Oilers burying three clutch goals in the 3rd period. The Golden Knights were blanked by Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard after Mark Stone scored twice in the first ten minutes.
Now, Edmonton has all of the momentum and confidence heading into Game 2 at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas erased a series deficit against Minnesota in the First Round, closing out the Wild with three straight wins, so it'll be interesting to see how they respond to this latest adversity.
Oddsmakers are bullish on the Golden Knights to bounce back at home, laying -142 odds on Vegas' moneyline. The goal total is set at 6.5. It's virtually a pick'em on the total goals, with -110 odds on over and -108 odds on under 6.5.
Edmonton has the two best players on the ice in this game, even with Jack Eichel leading the way for the Golden Knights. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are elite in the offensive zone. D Evan Bouchard and F Zach Hyman have also been dominant in the playoffs.
The Oilers have won six straight games as underdogs against Vegas. The Golden Knights have also failed to cover the puck line in six consecutive games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Adin Hill, Vegas' goaltender, had some bad stretches against the Wild in the First Round. He was unable to withstand Edmonton's late charge in Game 1, while Pickard faced only 17 total shots.
I'm willing to back the Oilers as underdogs in this spot, especially with better personnel and confidence gained from erasing a multi-goal deficit in Game 1. Let's bet one more unit on Edmonton's moneyline at +125 odds.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights Pick
- Pick: Oilers Moneyline (+125) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best Oilers vs. Golden Knights odds
NHL ODDS
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