As the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs continue, four more first-round series could conclude on Thursday, with three Game 6s in the Western Conference and one in the East. So far, three teams have already advanced to the second round.
In Eastern Conference action, the Toronto Maple Leafs aim to close out their current series to potentially advance and face the reigning champion Florida Panthers in the second round. Having held a 3-0 series advantage, Toronto has dropped two straight games and been outscored 8-3 by their opponent.
In the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights hope to advance as they visit the Minnesota Wild. The 2023 champions fell behind 2-1 in the series but won the last two games in overtime, including Brett Howden`s Game 5 winner in the extra period on Tuesday.
The Colorado Avalanche are fighting to force a Game 7 when they host the Dallas Stars. Colorado evened the series with a 4-0 home shutout in Game 4 but were heavily defeated 6-2 in Dallas on Monday, with Wyatt Johnston scoring twice and adding an assist to put the Stars one win from the next round.
Finally, the Edmonton Oilers, last year`s Western Conference champions, seek their fourth straight win as they host the Los Angeles Kings. After losing the first two games in Los Angeles and allowing six goals in each, the Oilers switched goalies to Calvin Pickard from Stuart Skinner and have since won three games in a row, giving up only eight goals total in those wins.
Following a successful night for several prop bets on Wednesday, here are some players offering good value for prop bets in Thursday`s playoff games.
Best Bets
Kirill Kaprizov anytime goal scorer (+120, FanDuel)
Kirill Kaprizov is a good bet to score anytime. He has been a major contributor to the Wild`s offense against the Golden Knights, accounting for nearly a third of their 17 goals in the first five games. The 28-year-old Russian winger is currently tied for the playoff lead with five goals, alongside Matt Boldy, Andrei Svechnikov, and Nathan MacKinnon. Kaprizov has scored two goals in two different games in this series and also found the back of the net in Game 5.
Anze Kopitar 1+ assist (+122, FanDuel)
Consider betting on Anze Kopitar for 1+ assist. At 37, Kopitar is still producing at a high level, currently tied for third in the playoffs with seven assists. This already matches his total from the previous two postseasons combined (11 games) and is his second-best playoff assist total ever, behind only the 21 assists he recorded during the Kings` 2014 Stanley Cup run. He has registered at least one assist in four of the first five games against the Oilers.
Connor McDavid anytime goal scorer (+150, BetMGM)
Connor McDavid is listed at to score anytime. While he`s been more of a playmaker against the Kings, leading the playoffs with eight assists (tied with Cam Fowler), McDavid is always a threat to score. The reigning Conn Smythe winner scored in two of the first three games and ranks 22nd all-time in playoff goals per game (0.49) among players with at least 20 goals. Despite not scoring in the last two games, betting on the three-time Hart Trophy winner to find the net is often a smart play.
Best Longshot
Matthew Knies anytime goal scorer (+320, bet365)
For a longshot pick, consider Matthew Knies to score anytime. After scoring 15 goals as a rookie, Knies significantly improved this season with 29 goals, including two hat tricks, placing him fourth on the Maple Leafs. The 22-year-old winger has been effective in the series, scoring three goals, tied for the team lead with John Tavares. As Toronto looks to rebound from a shutout loss and avoid Game 7, Knies presents value to contribute offensively.
