NHL Best Bets Today: Expert NHL Picks for 05/07/2025

Despite dropping Game 1, the Panthers enter this contest with a sense of desperation that should fuel a stronger performance in Game 2 of the series.

Florida's high-powered offense that scored at least four goals in three of their five games against Tampa Bay should test Toronto's Joseph Woll, who is still shaking off rust after limited recent action.

The Maple Leafs' goaltending situation remains uncertain after Stolarz's injury, giving Florida an advantage they can exploit with their offensive firepower.

Coming off their first-round series where they went over the total in four of five games against Tampa Bay, the Panthers have shown they can generate enough offense to overcome Toronto's home-ice advantage.

Florida's experience and playoff pedigree should help them bounce back, as they'll make necessary adjustments after seeing Toronto's strategy in Game 1, making them a valuable play at these odds.

Game 1 between these teams already produced nine total goals, easily clearing the over early in the third period, suggesting the offensive firepower of both squads is in playoff form.

Toronto's goaltending situation remains in flux with Joseph Woll stepping in after Stolarz's injury, creating an opportunity for Florida's potent offense that excelled against Tampa Bay.

The Panthers went over the total in four of their five games against Tampa Bay in the first round, showing their ability to create high-scoring contests even in playoff settings.

Both teams have demonstrated their offensive capabilities throughout the postseason, with Toronto splitting their totals against Ottawa but showing scoring depth when needed.

With Florida in desperate need of a win and Toronto looking to protect home ice, we should see aggressive offensive approaches from both teams, leading to enough scoring chances to push this game over the total.

The Stars enter this Western Conference Semifinal opener with momentum after their Game 7 victory against Colorado, and have had an extra day of rest compared to Winnipeg.

Dallas's offensive depth has been impressive throughout the playoffs, scoring 21 goals in their first-round series including 14 in their final three games.

Questions surround Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who has shown inconsistency despite Winnipeg's advancement, while Dallas netminder Jake Oettinger provides more stability in net.

The Stars' defensive unit led by Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell should create turnovers and limit Winnipeg's scoring chances, neutralizing the Jets' home-ice advantage.

Multiple expert sources agree that Dallas holds the edge in this matchup, with Pickswise noting that Winnipeg was arguably outplayed by St. Louis despite advancing, giving the Stars solid value as road favorites.

Both the Stars and Jets come into this series displaying explosive offensive capabilities, with each team scoring 21 goals in their first-round matchups.

Dallas's offensive unit featuring Mikko Rantanen, Wyatt Johnston, and Roope Hintz has been clicking lately, scoring 14 goals in their last three games against a strong Colorado team.

Winnipeg's Kyle Connor and Mason Appleton lead a Jets attack that should find success against a Stars defense that allowed 24 goals in their seven-game series against the Avalanche.

The defensive vulnerabilities shown by both teams in the first round suggest this could be a high-scoring affair, with the Jets allowing 27 goals in their previous series.

With both teams carrying momentum from high-scoring first-round victories and showing the ability to create quality scoring chances through effective puck movement, the over looks like a solid play in what projects as an up-tempo Game 1.