NHL Best Bets Today: Expert NHL Picks for 04/23/2025

Washington enters Game 3 with momentum after Alex Ovechkin deflated the Canadiens' comeback attempt in Game 2, putting the Capitals in position to take a commanding lead in the series.

Home ice will be a significant factor as Washington has been dominant at Capital One Arena this season, posting an impressive 26-9-6 record on home ice.

Montreal's road record tells a concerning story for Canadiens backers, as they've gone just 17-19-5 away from home during the regular season.

The playoff pressure cooker tends to magnify home ice advantage, and Washington's roster features significantly more playoff experience than Montreal's younger lineup.

The Capitals' championship pedigree gives them an edge in managing these high-pressure situations, while Montreal's late rally in Game 2 may have represented their best punch in the series.

The Avalanche are poised to take control of this series as it shifts to Denver for Game 3, where Colorado boasted a strong 26-15 home record during the regular season.

Despite Dallas evening the series with an overtime win in Game 2, Colorado has consistently found ways to score against Jake Oettinger, netting five goals in Game 1 and three more in Game 2.

The Stars are dealing with significant injury concerns as Miro Heiskanen is nursing a knee injury while Jason Robertson sat out Game 2, creating defensive vulnerabilities that Colorado can exploit.

Colorado could receive an additional boost if Gabriel Landeskog returns from his long-term injury, adding to their already potent offensive attack led by Nathan MacKinnon.

The Avalanche have won 9 of their last 13 games in April, showing their playoff strength, while Dallas has struggled with just one win in their last nine games overall.

The Stars-Avalanche series has been a high-scoring affair, with Game 2 featuring seven total goals and pushing over the total despite needing overtime to get there.

The offensive firepower continues with Colorado at home, where they tend to be more aggressive in the offensive zone and push the pace against visiting teams.

Historical trends strongly support the over, as the total has finished over in the last five consecutive meetings between Dallas and Colorado.

Both goaltenders have shown vulnerability in this series - Jake Oettinger gave up three goals in Game 2 before settling down, while Mackenzie Blackwood has allowed Dallas to find the net consistently.

With Colorado's home crowd providing energy and both teams showing they can solve each other's goaltending, we should see another goal-filled contest in Denver.

The Kings have found their offensive rhythm at the perfect time, winning five of their last six games and scoring an impressive 12 goals in their last three home contests.

Los Angeles boasts the second-best defense in the league, giving them a foundational advantage in this playoff matchup against an Oilers team that's struggled defensively of late.

Edmonton has shown vulnerability on the road, splitting their last four away games while surrendering 11 goals in their last three contests overall.

The Kings' special teams advantage could prove decisive, as they've killed penalties at a top-8 rate in the league while the Oilers have converted just 16% of their power plays.

Los Angeles has momentum and matchup advantages across the board, suggesting they'll take care of business on home ice tonight against Edmonton.

The Kings have been lighting the lamp with consistency lately, averaging 4.33 goals per game in their last three contests while converting an impressive 36% of their power play opportunities.

Edmonton's defense has been suspect, allowing 3.66 goals per game in their recent stretch and killing just 73% of penalties, creating opportunities for Los Angeles to capitalize.

The Oilers still bring significant offensive firepower to the table, averaging 3.16 goals per game on the season and four goals per game in their last three road contests.

Los Angeles has been leaky on the penalty kill recently, successfully defending just 63% of opposing power plays in their last three games - a dangerous proposition against Edmonton's talented special teams.

Both teams have trended toward the over recently, with the Kings playing over the total in two of their last three games and both squads showing the offensive capability to contribute to a high-scoring affair.