NHL Picks

Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game April 25, 2026

Carolina Hurricanes logo CAR @ Ottawa Senators logo OTT Sat, Apr 25 • 3:00 PM ET
4 Expert Picks
Goals Scored
Andrei Svechnikov logo Andrei Svechnikov o0.5 Goals Scored (+180)
Best Odds
Pick made: 20 hours ago
Neil Parker image
Neil Parker
Betting Analyst

Svechnikov leads the series in individual expected goals (2.06) without finding the back of the net, and he’s also racked up an impressive 15 shots, 24 attempts and five high-danger scoring chances. Additionally, the 26-year-old Russian is no stranger to postseason scoring with 27 career playoff goals, including eight across 15 games last spring.

Total
Carolina Hurricanes logo Ottawa Senators logo o5.5 (-115)
Best Odds
Pick made: 21 hours ago
Neil Parker image
Neil Parker
Betting Analyst

There’s no doubt Carolina and Ottawa have played incredible defense in front of phenomenal goaltending, with the two teams scoring just 10 times across the first three games of the series despite combining for 23.72 expected goals and 81 high-danger scoring chances. Hurricanes starter Frederik Andersen sports a .964 save percentage for the series, and Sens No. 1 Linus Ullmark checks in at .933, so I’m fully expecting statistical correction rearing its ugly head to the unsustainable play of both goalies.

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Dallas Stars logo DAL @ Minnesota Wild logo MIN Sat, Apr 25 • 5:30 PM ET
3 Expert Picks
Goals Scored
Mavrik Bourque logo Mavrik Bourque o0.5 Goals Scored (+370)
Best Odds
Pick made: yesterday
Todd Cordell image
Todd Cordell
Betting Analyst

Seven players have generated at least seven scoring chances in this series. Of that group, Mavrik Bourque (nine) is the only one who hasn’t found the back of the net. 

He’s consistently getting looks and the Wild defense will shade more towards his linemates, who have five goals combined. 

That should lead to more opportunities for Bourque, who is plenty capable of capitalizing.

Points
Miro Heiskanen logo Miro Heiskanen o0.5 Points (-125)
Best Odds
Pick made: yesterday
Todd Cordell image
Todd Cordell
Betting Analyst

Miro Heiskanen does not look like somebody who jumped on a moving train at the beginning of the playoffs. He has logged almost 20 more minutes than his closest teammate through three games and been an absolute force offensively.

He has hit the scoresheet in each game and leads all Stars players with 23 shot attempts, averaging well over seven per night.

Heiskanen will play this game following two days of rest, which is important for somebody used to playing huge minutes. That shows in the numbers as he has points in 10 of 12 games this year after two days off.

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Pittsburgh Penguins logo PIT @ Philadelphia Flyers logo PHI Sat, Apr 25 • 8:00 PM ET
3 Expert Picks
Goals Scored
Christian Dvorak logo Christian Dvorak o0.5 Goals Scored (+300)
Best Odds
Pick made: yesterday
Todd Cordell image
Todd Cordell
Betting Analyst

Dvorak is tied for the series-lead in high-danger chances with six through three games. Despite piling up quality looks around the paint, he has the 10th shortest odds to score a goal. 

I think he’s undervalued here, especially considering his defensive utility and the fact he’s a strong candidate to play in empty-net situations if the Penguins aggressively pull the goalie to try and save their season.

Points
Travis Konecny logo Travis Konecny o0.5 Points (-155)
Best Odds
Pick made: yesterday
Todd Cordell image
Todd Cordell
Betting Analyst

Travis Konecny feasted on Bottom-10 defenses in the regular season, picking up a point in 16 of 22 games (76%).

That hit rate soared even higher on home soil as Konecny hit the scoresheet in 11 of 12 games (92%).

Given the Penguins ranked 24th in goals against during the regular season, it should be no surprise Konecny has continued to produce consistently in the playoffs.

He has points in two of three games and posted a team-leading 84 xGF% in the only game he didn’t.

Look for him to make his mark again in Game 4.

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Buffalo Sabres logo BUF @ Boston Bruins logo BOS Sun, Apr 26 • 2:00 PM ET
3 Expert Picks
Assists
Rasmus Dahlin logo Rasmus Dahlin o0.5 Assists (-115)
Best Odds
Pick made: 2 hours ago
Todd Cordell image
Todd Cordell
Betting Analyst

The Sabres have generated 106 shot attempts, 57 scoring chances, and 6.45 expected goals with Dahlin on the ice in this series. That has translated to only three goals.

Dahlin’s on-ice shooting percentage sits at 5.56% – lowest among 13 Sabres with 40+ minutes played – compared to 13.01% in the regular season.

While it’s not abnormal for Jeremy Swayman to shave goals off the expected total, this kind of gap is not sustainable. 

Given how many opportunities the Sabres are generating, and how involved Dahlin is in facilitating them, I like his chances of assisting in Game 4.

Goals Scored
Jack Quinn logo Jack Quinn o0.5 Goals Scored (+215)
Best Odds
Pick made: 2 hours ago
Todd Cordell image
Todd Cordell
Betting Analyst

Jack Quinn found the back of the net in 32% of his games this season when generating at least six shot attempts, a number he's cleared in back-to-back games. He has an excellent shot and possesses the finishing ability needed to beat someone like Jeremy Swayman.

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Colorado Avalanche logo COL @ Los Angeles Kings logo LA Sun, Apr 26 • 4:30 PM ET
3 Expert Picks
Goals Scored
Martin Necas logo Martin Necas o0.5 Goals Scored (+155)
Best Odds
Pick made: 4 hours ago
Todd Cordell image
Todd Cordell
Betting Analyst

There’s a lot to like with MacKinnon’s running mate as well. He is leading the Avalanche in expected goals and slots second to MacKinnon in scoring chances. Necas potted 11 goals more than expected in the regular season so his chances should start pouring in sooner than later.

Goals Scored
Nathan MacKinnon logo Nathan MacKinnon o0.5 Goals Scored (-105)
Best Odds
Pick made: 4 hours ago
Todd Cordell image
Todd Cordell
Betting Analyst

Nathan MacKinnon leads the Colorado Avalanche in scoring chances and high-danger opportunities through three games. He just hasn’t converted.

That spells trouble for the Kings as MacKinnon is a ticking time bomb. He led the league in goals and only went more than three straight without scoring twice during the regular season.

He is in the perfect situation to find the net Sunday. He will be working on two days of rest, and he has feasted under those circumstances.

MacKinnon has 10 goals over his last nine games following two days off, and scored in seven of them.

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