Forecasting NHL Games: Insights from Experts on Tuesday, 29th April

🏒📰 NHL Picks for April 29: Let's dive into the heavily contested NHL matches on this gripping evening!

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators (-160, 5.5)

Game 5 (Maple Leafs lead series 3-1)

7 p.m. ET

The Maple Leafs teeter on the brink of eliminating the Senators, but their propensity for heart-stopping finishes leaves Leafs faithful on edge. Toronto has lost 11 of their last 12 closeout games. Since Game 1, matches have gone the distance with Toronto winning two of three. I'm doubling down on the Leafs to scratch the first goal of the contest, propelled by a solid trend in this year's playoffs: teams after a loss have scored the opening goal in 17 out of 24 games. Take Matthew Knies, the Leafs' top scorer, and watch him illuminate the scoreboard with his eye-catching talents. He leads the team with three goals and will likely net his fourth tonight.

Prop Picks:- Maple Leafs to score first (-140) - .50 units- Jake McCabe Over 1.5 blocks (-120) - .35 units- Jake McCabe Over 2.5 blocks (+160) - .20 units- Simon Benoit Over 1.5 blocks (-135) - .35 units- Brady Tkachuk Over 3.5 SOG (-130) - .50 units- Drake Batherson/Tim Stutzle/Dylan Cozens Over 1.5 SOG parlay (+280) - .20 units

New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes (-275, 5.5)

Game 5 (Hurricanes lead series 3-1)

7:30 p.m. ET

The second clash of the night promises an intense battle for survival. Carolina's starting goalie, Frederik Andersen, is recovering from injury, so Pyotr Kochetkov gets the nod for the night. Although the Hurricanes boast a commanding 3-1 lead, the Devils have matched Carolina when both teams play at full strength, resulting in a six-goal deadlock at five-on-five. Special teams have, however, made a significant impact, with the Devils scoreless in 12 power-play attempts and conceding a short-hander.

I believe Carolina will bring the series to a close, but you should have the Devils on your radar for the opening salvo, as teams coming off a loss have scored first in the next contest in 17 out of 24 games this year. Three of Carolina's four triumphs have been by two goals or more.

Prop Picks:- Devils to score first (+140) - .20 units- Brian Dumoulin Over 1.5 blocks (-140) - 1 unit- Dumoulin Over 2.5 blocks (+220) - .35 units- Dumoulin Over 3.5 blocks (+600) -.20 units- Jordan Martinook anytime goal (+625) - .20 units- Jordan Martinook Over 1⁄2 assist (+340) - .20 units- Canes - 1.5 goals (+100) - 1 unit- Canes to score an empty-net goal (+210) - .25 units

Minnesota Wild vs Vegas Golden Knights (-225, 5.5)

Game 5 (Series tied 2-2)

9:30 p.m. ET

In the high-octane Western Conference action, the Knights and the Wild square off once more. Vegas edged out Minnesota in Game 4 thanks to an overtime triumph. With Vegas' recent victory, we'll be on Minnesota to draw first blood tonight. Given that all four games have gone Over the total, a 5.5 total seems just right.

Prop Picks:- Ryan Hartman assist (+285) - .20 units- Marcus Foligno anytime goal (+900) - .20 units- Joel Eriksson Ek Over 2.5 SOG (-165) - .50 units- Eriksson Ek Over 3.5 SOG (+150) - .20 units- Pavel Dorofeyev Over 2.5 SOG (-180) - .50 units- Jack Eichel Over 2.5 SOG (-145) - .50 units- Eichel Over 3.5 SOG (+180) - .20 units- Nick Roy anytime goal (+550) - .20 units- Minnesota/Vegas Over 5.5 (-130) - 1 unit

NHL Playoffs Trends: April 29 Edition

NHL Predictions: Experts' Insights on Monday, April 28

NHL Predictions: Key Trends to Watch for in April 27's Games

Sources:

Dimers (2025). NHL Bruins vs Hurricanes Game 1 Prediction and Pick
Edmonton Sun (n.d.). Edmonton Oilers Are Working to Counter LA's Impact Combinations After Tiring 3-1 Win
Las Vegas Review-Journal (2025). Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild Game 5 Prediction
Sports bet (n.d.). NHL Playoffs 2025: Predictions, Schedule, and Betting Trends
The Score (n.d.). Oilers Defeat Kings in Game 5 to Take 3-1 Series Lead
Despite their history of closeout game losses, the Maple Leafs could still manage to score the first goal in their game against the Senators, following a trend from this year's NHL playoffs where teams after a loss have scored the opening goal in 17 out of 24 games.
Expert picks suggest that the Devils might score the first goal against the Hurricanes, even though Carolina leads the series 3-1, as teams coming off a loss have scored first in the next contest in 17 out of 24 games this year.
The Vegas Golden Knights' recent success against the Minnesota Wild has led experts to believe that Minnesota could score the first goal in tonight's game, given that all four games have gone Over the total, and teams coming off a loss have managed to score first in the next contest.
As the NHL playoffs continue, it's important to keep an eye on trends, such as teams after a loss scoring the opening goal in 17 out of 24 games, when making expert picks for upcoming games.
Benoit, an expert hockey analyst, might offer valuable insights on upcoming games, given his knowledge and expertise in the NHL, particularly in the ongoing playoff games of the Maple Leafs and the Senators, the Hurricanes and the Devils, and the Knights and the Wild.