There is some overlap in the NHL odds on Sunday. The New York Rangers host the Carolina Hurricanes to kick off their second-round series, while the Dallas Stars host the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 7 of their first-round series.
It should be an action-packed day of hockey despite just two games, giving us a few different NHL player props to choose from.
Here are my best NHL picks for Sunday’s full slate of action.
NHL prop picks and best bets for May 5
- Mika Zibanejad Over 0.5 assists (+100 at BET99)
- Sebastian Aho Under 2.5 shots (+100 at BET99)
- Jake Oettinger Under 2.5 goals allowed (-120 at BET99)
Picks made on 5-4 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Read full analysis of each pick.
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Today’s NHL prop picks and best bets
Prop bet #1: Mika magic
Mika Zibanejad was a man on a mission for the New York Rangers in the first round against Washington. The first-line center led the team with seven points in the four-game sweep of D.C.
Zibanejad also plays on the power play, which is where the Rangers do a lot of their damage. Four of Zibanejad’s seven points came on the man advantage in the first round.
We’re getting even money on Zibanejad to record a point against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1. While it should be a lower-scoring series, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the Rangers play some run-and-gun hockey to open things up at home against the Canes'.
Zibanejad finished the regular season on a six-game point streak, which has carried over through the first round. He’s now recorded an assist in 14 of his last 17 games dating back to March 21.
Take advantage of some favorable odds here on Zibanejad to notch another apple, especially with the Rangers having home-ice advantage in this series.
Mika Zibanejad prop: Over 0.5 assists (+100 at BET99)
Prop bet #2: Star stifled
Sebastian Aho has long been one of the main offensive forces for Carolina. The star forward was more or less alone without much support in recent years, but the Canes got him some help in the form of Jake Guentzel at the trade deadline. It also helps that Andrei Svechnikov is healthy after missing last year’s playoffs.
That trio makes up the Hurricanes’ top line, which will have a hard time on Sunday afternoon with the Rangers’ home-ice advantage. Peter Laviolette’s team will have the last change, allowing them to get the matchups they want against the Canes’ top line.
The Rangers have done a great job of shutting down Aho since the beginning of 2023, as the Finnish forward hasn’t gone Over 2.5 shots in any of the seven games against the Rangers since January 3rd, 2023. In fact, Aho has only had three or more shot attempts in three of those games and was held to just one shot on goal (on one attempt) in each of the final two meetings this season.
Sebastian Aho prop: Under 2.5 shots (+100 at BET99)
Prop bet #3: OtterBox protection
This should be a doozy of a Game 7 between the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars.
The total for this game has been bet down to 5.0 at some books, while others are still offering Under 5.5 at a steep price. That’s not too surprising after Game 6’s 2-0 final score and a 3-2 final in Game 5 after a four-goal first period.
Furthermore, Jake Oettinger hasn’t allowed more than two goals in any of the past five games in this series. After struggling in Game 1 (four goals on 15 shots), Oettinger has saved 140 of the 149 shots he’s faced over the last five games. He also allowed two goals in two of the three meetings against the Knights in the regular season.
Game 7s have a tendency to go Under the total, and Oettinger should be in the clear with a stellar Stars defense in front of him.
Jake Oettinger prop: Under 2.5 goals allowed (-120 at BET99)
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