Top 5 NHL Playoff Picks for Thursday, April 23rd - Targeting Sebastian Aho, Others in Stanley Cup Action
The Stanley Cup Playoffs continue on Thursday night as teams like the Hurricanes look to extend a series lead. Can Sebastian Aho and others dominate tonight and help their squads get closer to advancing in the first round? Check out The Wolf Top NHL Playoff Picks for April 23rd.
The Wolf - April 23, 2026, 3:25 PM EDT
4 Minute ReadStanley Cup Playoff Props - Best Prop Bets for Thursday, April 23rd
The NHL Playoffs bring a completely different style of hockey. The ice shrinks, the hits increase, and every shot becomes harder to come by. Defense tightens up, lanes disappear, and games often turn into grind-it-out battles where volume and effort matter more than finesse.
That shift creates value. Shot props for top players remain strong because usage spikes, while defensive stats like blocks become more predictable. The Wolf is targeting players who will be on the ice in high-leverage situations and taking advantage of playoff-style hockey.
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5 Best NHL Playoff Bets - Thursday, April 23rd
1. Shayne Gostisbehere – Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-105) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
- AI Probability: 73.44%
- Implied Probability: 51.28%
- EV: 43.21%
- Trend: Over in 5 of last 10
Gostisbehere benefits from playoff hockey as a defenseman who is not afraid to shoot. With more structured offense, point shots become more common, and he has a clear path to volume. Two shots is a low bar for someone logging meaningful minutes in a tight game.
2. Sebastian Aho – Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (+105) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
- AI Probability: 68.95%
- Implied Probability: 48.78%
- EV: 41.35%
- Trend: Over in 6 of last 10
Aho is the type of player who thrives when games get tougher. As Carolina’s offensive engine, he will be forced to create his own looks against a disciplined defense. In playoff settings, star forwards tend to shoot more, not less, making this a strong plus-money angle.
3. Jared Spurgeon – Under 1.5 Blocks (+100) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
- AI Probability: 69.12%
- Implied Probability: 50%
- EV: 38.24%
- Trend: Under in 6 of last 10
While blocks increase in the playoffs, not every player benefits equally. Spurgeon’s role leans more toward positioning and puck movement than pure shot-blocking volume. At even money, this is a solid fade on a number that may be slightly inflated by playoff expectations.
4. Jake Walman – Under 1.5 Blocks (-115) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
- AI Probability: 73.82%
- Implied Probability: 53.48%
- EV: 38.04%
- Trend: Under in 6 of last 10
Walman finds himself in a similar spot. Even in tighter games, his style does not naturally translate into high block totals. This is another case where the market may be over-adjusting to playoff intensity rather than individual player tendencies.
5. Tomas Hertl – Over 0.5 Points (+115) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
- AI Probability: 64.19%
- Implied Probability: 46.51%
- EV: 38.01%
- Trend: Over in 5 of last 10
In low-scoring playoff games, getting on the scoresheet once is often enough. Hertl’s role in the offense gives him consistent involvement, whether as a scorer or facilitator. At plus money, backing a top-line contributor to record a point is strong value.
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