Three games are scheduled for Wednesday as the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs continues. Two home teams, the Washington Capitals and Los Angeles Kings, aim to build significant 2-0 series leads against the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers, respectively. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche host the Dallas Stars in a crucial Game 3 after the teams split the opening two contests in Dallas.
In their series opener, the top-seeded Capitals let a two-goal lead in the third period disappear against Montreal, but Alex Ovechkin secured a 3-2 overtime victory with his first career playoff OT goal. In the Western Conference, Los Angeles also saw a large lead evaporate in the third period of Game 1 against Edmonton. However, the Kings held on for a 6-5 win, thanks to Phillip Danault`s second goal of the game late in regulation.
Colorado dominated their first game against Dallas with a 5-1 win. In Game 2, the Avalanche were close to taking a 2-0 series lead, but Evgenii Dadonov`s goal tied it 3-3 for the Stars with about 10 minutes left. Colin Blackwell, who didn`t play in Game 1 and saw minimal ice time in Game 2, scored the overtime winner at 17:46, leveling the series for Dallas.
Following successful anytime goal scorer picks in the last couple of days, here are some players offering good value for prop bets on Wednesday`s playoff games.
Best Bets
Alex Ovechkin, Capitals (+120, bet365)
Ovechkin finished the regular season incredibly strong, scoring 22 of his 44 goals in the final 31 games, including eight in the last nine. The veteran forward continued his hot streak in Game 1 against Montreal, scoring a power-play goal and the overtime winner. He now has seven goals in just eight career playoff games versus the Canadiens. Given his current form and history, it`s highly probable he`ll add to his playoff goal total on Wednesday, where he`s currently tied for 13th all-time with Joe Pavelski at 74 goals.
Cole Caufield, Canadiens (+220, bet365)
Caufield was Montreal`s leading scorer this season with a career-best 37 goals, and he netted one of their two markers in Game 1. The young forward is known for scoring streaks, having multiple multi-game runs in 2024-25. He also found the net in all three regular-season games versus Washington and has accumulated nine goals in 12 career matchups against the Capitals, including the recent playoff opener.
Roope Hintz, Stars (+275, DraftKings)
Hintz has only two goals in his last nine playoff appearances, but both were against the Avalanche. One of those goals was Dallas` sole marker in Game 1, snapping a seven-game goalless streak to end the regular season. Considering he hasn`t scored in six straight playoff road games, Hintz could be due for a goal in Colorado.
Leon Draisaitl, Oilers (+160, bet365)
Draisaitl has a remarkable record of scoring against the Kings in the playoffs. He has tallied 18 goals in just 19 career postseason games versus Los Angeles (all since 2021), compared to 24 goals in his other 56 playoff games against all other opponents. Beyond his history against L.A., Draisaitl has been productive recently, with 18 goals in his last 22 games overall and seven in his last eight.
