Predictions for Top NHL Bets on May 1st, 2025

It's crunch time, baby! Every game tonight is a potential elimination game, meaning we've got desperate players and teams fighting tooth and nail to stay alive. That means more value for us, my friends. Let's dive into some killer discounts on NHL player props for tonight's games.

With a 60-54 record over the last 36 articles of my Betting News NHL best bet articles, we've got a positive unit size due to plenty of plus money plays cashing. Now it's time to bring it to the playoffs. We'll be breaking down NHL best bets here at Betting News all playoffs long! Each article will look for VALUE, whether it's straights you can take to build up your bankroll or pieces you can use to beef up your parlays. All bets will be -135 or better odds. And while we will focus on NHL player props, there are times we will take sides and totals. So keep your eyes peeled here as we will drop these throughout the week.

Heads up: If you haven't already, check out some of my favorite futures and awards. Let's get started!

1. Chris Tanev o2.5 Blocked Shots +110 on BetOnline:

Toronto Maple Leafs players celebrate after scoring the overtime winning goal.

Chris Tanev is a gritty, shutdown defenseman who isn't afraid to take pucks to the body. That's exactly why this playoff warrior was brought in by the Toronto Maple Leafs and has been living up to that expectation. The Maple Leafs, however, have looked to have taken the Ottawa Senators too lightly after taking a 3-0 series lead and have let the Senators come back. Facing elimination at home, we may see an Ottawa team throwing everything they can at the net, which means Toronto better be willing to sacrifice their bodies in order to keep pucks out of the net.

Bring in Tanev. After only having four blocked shots in the first three games of the series, he hit his blocked shot line in back to back games with 8 blocks. He played over 24.6 minutes two games ago and should play big minutes as long as this game stays close. We are getting a great price on this prop as he had missed this line six games in a row. But last year he hit his blocked shot line in 70% of his long playoff run to the western conference finals.

The game script leans into Ottawa shooting, and Tanev knows the assignment. This is a great discount on one of the most reliable playoff props we had last season. Add it all up and it's easy to see why Tanev 2.5 Blocked Shots at +110 is an NHL best bet.

*Get 50% up to $750 Deposit Bonus on BetOnline for this pick***

2. William Karlsson Point +110 on BetOnline:

The top line of the Vegas Golden Knights must be productive tonight.

After a HUGE overtime win, the Vegas Golden Knights will go back to Minnesota for game six. Unfortunately, they will be without one of their best forwards, Dorofeyev. But this will lead to gritty center William Karlsson opportunity to play on the top line with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone. And that means we are getting a MAJOR discount on his point prop.

Throughout the season, the Eichel/Stone combo dominated. In the first 25 games of the season, the duo had a point in 19 games. The third forward on this line was always a beneficiary, whether that was Barbashev or Dorofeyev. Now it's Karlsson's time to shine, and this known playoff performer plays big in big moments. In 105 playoff games, Karlsson has 31 goals and 39 assists, and is a +40. This is the exact type of play the Knights could use on their top line.

Karlsson got on the scoreboard last game when he was shifted to the top line. And Eichel looks to have woken up after three bad games. He now has three points in the last two games with 11 shots on goal. Add all this up and you can see why this playoff warrior is an NHL best bet at a discount.

*Get 50% up to $750 Deposit Bonus on BetOnline for this pick***

3. Nathan MacKinnon o4.5 SOG +130 on BetOnline:

Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche are in Dallas for Game 6 tonight.

Was there really any other option for my third pick? Nathan MacKinnon, up against a wall, at home against the Dallas Stars who have his old linemate Mikko Rantanen. There will be shots. This year MacKinnon wasn't ripping pucks at the same rate he has in the past, but near the end of the season, it clicked. Out of the last 10 games he has played, he has hit his 4.5 SOG prop 6 times and is averaging an insane 9 shot attempts.

In the postseason, the MacKdaddy becomes a complete animal. He has two games with 12 shot attempts, and has 7+ shots on goal in three of the five games this series. The Dallas Stars were much leakier to shots this season than in years past. Over the course of the season, they allowed the 9th most shots against (29 SA/GP) and led the league for shots against over the last 10 games (35/4 SA/GP).

This play has carried over into the postseason, where the Stars have allowed the 4th most SA/GP. They are averaging 33.2 shots against in the five games. Shockingly, they are only allowing the 10th most penalties, which means they are giving up plenty of shots in even strength. In a do-or-die situation, you have to think MacKinnon will come out firing, and it's why I think his 4.5 SOG prop is an NHL best bet tonight.

*Get 50% up to $750 Deposit Bonus on BetOnline for this pick***

That's a wrap for this week's NHL bets! Don't forget to follow me for more picks and all things sports betting. And if you haven't already, check out some of my favorite futures and awards. Keep grinding, my friends, and let's rake in those profits!

With an impressive 60-54 record in the last 36 NHL best bet articles, we're ready to capitalize on the playoffs, focusing on NHL player props, sides, and totals that offer value for sports-betting enthusiasts.
In the pre-playoff match between Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, Chris Tanev's over 2.5 blocked shots at +110 on BetOnline presents a strong NHL best bet, considering his gritty style and knack for stepping up in big moments.
For Vegas Golden Knights' opponent Minnesota Wild in game six, William Karlsson's point +110 on BetOnline is an appealing NHL best bet, given his past success on top lines and the absence of his fellow forward, Dorofeyev.
In the do-or-die match between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, Nathan MacKinnon's over 4.5 shots on goal at +130 on BetOnline is an intriguing NHL best bet, given his past postseason productivity and the Stars' tendency to give up a high shot count this season.