With three teams already advanced to the second round, the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs continue on Thursday with four first-round series potentially concluding. There are three Game 6 matchups scheduled in the Western Conference and one in the Eastern Conference.
The Toronto Maple Leafs look to close out their series against the Ottawa Senators on the road. A win would set up a second-round meeting with the defending champion Florida Panthers. Toronto was the only team to initially grab a 3-0 lead in the first round but has since dropped consecutive games to Ottawa, being outscored 8-3, while the Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Washington Capitals have already advanced in the East.
Out West, the Vegas Golden Knights travel to face the Minnesota Wild with a chance to advance. The defending 2023 champions fell behind 2-1 in the series but secured two consecutive overtime wins, including Brett Howden`s game-winner early in the extra period of Game 5 on Tuesday.
The Colorado Avalanche will attempt to force a Game 7 as they host the Dallas Stars. Colorado tied the series with a 4-0 shutout victory at home in Game 4, but suffered a 6-2 road loss on Monday, where Wyatt Johnston`s two goals and an assist brought Dallas within one win of moving on.
Finally, the Edmonton Oilers, last year`s Western Conference champions, seek their fourth straight win as they host the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Place. After losing the first two games in Los Angeles and allowing six goals in each, Edmonton switched goaltenders, inserting Calvin Pickard for Stuart Skinner. Since then, the Oilers have won three consecutive games, giving up a combined total of eight goals.
Following a successful night where several recommended prop bets paid off, here are some players offering value for prop bets in Thursday`s playoff games.
Best Bets
Kirill Kaprizov Anytime Goal Scorer
Kirill Kaprizov has been a significant offensive force for the Wild, scoring nearly a third of their 17 goals in the first five games against the Golden Knights. The 28-year-old forward is currently tied for the playoff lead with five goals, matching teammates like Matt Boldy and other top league scorers. Kaprizov previously scored two goals in his single regular-season game against Vegas and has delivered two two-goal games in this series, including finding the back of the net in Game 5.
Anze Kopitar 1+ Assist
Veteran center Anze Kopitar continues to be a key playmaker for the Kings. At 37, he`s tied for third in the league with seven assists in these playoffs, equaling his assist total from his last 11 playoff games combined over the previous two seasons. This marks his second-best career playoff performance for assists, trailing only his 21 assists during Los Angeles` 2014 Stanley Cup winning run. The Kings` captain has recorded at least one assist in four out of the five games in this series against the Oilers.
Connor McDavid Anytime Goal Scorer
While Connor McDavid has primarily excelled as a setup man against the Kings, currently tied for the playoff lead with eight assists, his scoring ability is undeniable. The reigning Conn Smythe winner scored in two of the first three games of the series. Historically, he ranks 22nd all-time among players with at least 20 career playoff goals, averaging 0.49 goals per game over 79 contests (with only three active players ahead of him). Even after two games without scoring, betting on the three-time Hart Trophy winner to find the net remains a popular and reasonable choice.
Best Longshot
Matthew Knies Anytime Goal Scorer
Matthew Knies significantly increased his goal output this season, scoring 29 goals (including two hat tricks) after netting 15 as a rookie. This placed him fourth in scoring for the Maple Leafs. The 22-year-old forward has carried that production into the series against the Senators, currently tied with John Tavares for the team lead with three goals. As Toronto aims to rebound from a shutout loss and avoid a deciding Game 7, Knies presents an appealing longshot option to score for the team.
