Tuesday marks the beginning of two significant second-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, featuring some of the league`s most prominent figures. Alex Ovechkin leads the Washington Capitals against their Metropolitan Division rivals, the Carolina Hurricanes, in one opening game. In the other, Connor McDavid`s Edmonton Oilers face the Vegas Golden Knights in the first clash between the Pacific Division adversaries.
Alex Ovechkin, who recently became the NHL`s all-time leading goal scorer, helped the top-seeded Capitals defeat the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, securing their first playoff series victory since their 2018 Stanley Cup win against Vegas. The Capitals and Hurricanes split their four regular-season meetings this year, with home teams winning each contest. However, in their sole previous playoff encounter in 2019, Carolina eliminated Washington in seven games.
Connor McDavid, recipient of the Conn Smythe Trophy when Edmonton reached within one win of the championship last postseason, amassed 11 points as the Oilers eliminated the Los Angeles Kings in the first round for the fourth consecutive year. Vegas advanced by defeating the Minnesota Wild in six games, winning the final three, including two in overtime. The Oilers and Golden Knights also split their four games in the 2024-25 regular season. Vegas won their only previous playoff series in 2023.
Considering the matchups, here are some players offering value for prop bets in Tuesday`s playoff games.
Best Bets
Alex Ovechkin, Capitals – anytime goal scorer (+135, FanDuel)
Ovechkin has been finding the net frequently, scoring in 10 of his last 14 games stretching back into the regular season. The nine-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner, who recently surpassed Wayne Gretzky for the all-time goals record, scored in three of Washington`s five games against Montreal in the opening round. His next goal will be his 77th career playoff tally, moving him past Mario Lemieux for 12th in NHL playoff history. Ovechkin scored twice in three games against Carolina this season and netted four goals in their 2019 seven-game playoff series.
Leon Draisaitl, Oilers – anytime goal scorer (+130, DraftKings)
Leon Draisaitl reached the 50-goal mark for the fourth time in his career this season, scoring 52 to claim the Richard Trophy. The German forward scored in three of Edmonton`s first four games against Los Angeles but did not score any of the team`s nine goals in the final two contests. Despite this recent dip, Draisaitl scored twice in four games against the Golden Knights this season and netted six goals in the Oilers` six-game loss to Vegas in the 2023 second round.
Evan Bouchard, Oilers – 1+ assist (+110, DraftKings)
Evan Bouchard has recorded 48 assists in 59 career postseason games, including three in the first-round opener against the Kings. However, the 25-year-old defenseman is currently on a five-game assist drought, his longest since the start of the 2024-25 season and his longest in the playoffs since 2022. While he has scored two goals recently, it seems likely he will end this assist slump soon by setting up a teammate`s tally.
Connor McDavid, Oilers – 2+ assists (+190, DraftKings)
Connor McDavid, a five-time Art Ross Trophy winner, has amassed 89 assists in 80 career postseason games, with 28 multi-assist performances in his last 67 playoff contests. Three of those came during Edmonton`s six-game victory over Los Angeles in the first round. The 28-year-old had two games with multiple assists against the Golden Knights in their 2023 series and recorded two or more assists nine times last postseason, setting an NHL record with 34 assists in 25 games.
