NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions and best bets
Boston Bruins (+140) at Buffalo Sabres (-165)
Total 6 (Over, -115)
Game 1 – 7:30 p.m. ET
KeyBank Center in Buffalo will be rocking on Sunday, as the Buffalo Sabres host a Stanley Cup Playoff game for the first time in 15 years. The Bruins won three of the four meetings against Buffalo this season, but two of those wins came in three-on-three overtime. If Boston wins this series, Jeremy Swayman is going to need to steal at least one game, if not two. Swayman’s 31 wins this season were tied for fourth amongst all goalies. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen rebounded from a disappointing 2024-25 season and cut his goals against by almost half a goal from the prior season.
The Sabres are the deeper team, have the better blueline, but the Bruins have the experience. If you are looking to bet Buffalo, I would take the series spread of -1.5 games. Tage Thompson led the Sabres with 40 goals and 272 shots on goal (7th in the NHL). His 22 shots on goal in the four games this season versus the Bruins were a team high.
Specifically for today’s game. Buffalo’s Josh Norris enters the playoffs on a six-game points streak and has points in five of his last six games versus Boston. He also has four goals in six games against the Bruins’ starting goalie, Jeremy Swayman. The Bruins’ David Pastrnak has recorded at least three shots on goal in 12 of his last 15 games against the Sabres. I will parlay with Tage Thompson over on FanDuel, and it’s important to note that FanDuel’s shot props in the playoffs do not include overtime.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Josh Norris anytime goal (+330) – .50
Josh Norris Over ½ assist (+200) – .50
Pastrnak/Thompson Over 2.5 shots on goal in regulation (-106) – 2 units
Tage Thompson to lead the series in shots on goal (+170) – 1 unit
Series to go 5 games (+250) – .25 units
Series to go 6 games (+200) – .25 units
Utah Mammoth (+125) at Vegas Golden Knights (-150)
Total 6 (Over, -115)
Game 1 – Sunday 10 p.m. ET
The Vegas Golden Knights closed out the season, going 7-0-1 under John Tortorella. The victories were largely built around non-playoff teams, but it did include a pair of wins over playoff teams on the road, downing the Oilers 5-1 and the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in overtime. Carter Hart has given the Knights stability between the pipes during the run under Torts and was a perfect 7-0-0.
The Mammoth closed out the regular season on a nice run of their own, winning six of their last eight games. Utah won two of the three meetings between the two teams this season, outscoring the Golden Knights 9-1 in the two victories. The Mammoth/Coyotes have won three of their past four trips to T-Mobile Arena. I am tossing aside the Mammoth’s regular-season success against the Golden Knights in this series, as I believe the playoff experience and solid goaltending from Carter Hart down the stretch prevail. Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka was the only goalie to play more than 60 games (63) in the regular season, and he appeared to tire down the stretch as he gave up four or more goals in four of his last six starts.
Mark Stone led Vegas down the stretch, scoring five goals in the last six regular-season games. He tied his career high with 28 goals, the most he has had since the 2018-19 season when he was a member of the Ottawa Senators. Stone has also had some success in finding the back of the net against Utah starting goalie Karel Vejmelka, scoring three goals in the five games they have gone head-to-head.
Vegas head coach John Tortorella’s decision to load up his top line with Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and Jack Eichel has me on the trio in a point parlay. Eichel has had five shots on goal in each of his last four games versus Utah and at least four shots on goal in seven of the last nine head-to-head contests (5+ shots, six times). I will take his Over 3.5 shots at FanDuel and grab the plus price.
Utah’s Kailer Yamamoto is getting a bump to the second line tonight, and I will split a half unit on his assist and goal prop. Utah’s Clayton Keller has an assist in 10 straight games.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Jack Eichel Over 3.5 SOG in regulation (+114) – 1 unit
Eichel/Marner/Stone point parlay (+101) – 1 unit
Kailer Yamamoto Over ½ assist (+400) – .25
Kailer Yamamoto anytime goal (+525) – .25
Jack Eichel/Clayton Keller assist parlay (+182) – 1 unit
Lawson Crouse anytime goal (+330) – .10
Mark Stone anytime goal (+200) – .10
Jack Eichel to lead the series in assists (+200) – .25
Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 games (+120) – 1 unit
Mark Stone to lead the series in goals (+750) – .10
