As the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs continues with three games on Wednesday, two home teams look to gain a commanding 2-0 series lead, while a crucial Game 3 is set in a Western Conference matchup. The Washington Capitals host the Montreal Canadiens, and the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Edmonton Oilers, both aiming to take firm control. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche return home to face the Dallas Stars, with their series tied 1-1 after splitting the opening two games in Texas.
In their series opener, the top-seeded Washington Capitals let a two-goal third-period lead slip against Montreal. However, Alex Ovechkin secured a 3-2 victory by scoring his first career playoff overtime goal. Similarly, the Los Angeles Kings saw a three-goal lead disappear in the third period against Edmonton in Game 1 of their Western Conference series but managed to pull out a 6-5 win thanks to Phillip Danault`s second goal of the game with just 42 seconds left in regulation.
The Colorado Avalanche dominated their opener with a 5-1 win and were poised for a 2-0 series lead in Game 2. However, Evgenii Dadonov tied the game for the Stars with just 10 minutes remaining. Colin Blackwell, who was scratched for Game 1 and had the least ice time for either team in Game 2, scored at 17:46 of overtime to even the series for Dallas.
Following a successful couple of days with four best bets hitting for a goal, here are some players worth considering for anytime goal scorer prop bets on Wednesday`s playoff slate.
Best Bets
Ovechkin was in spectacular scoring form heading into the playoffs, netting 22 of his 44 regular-season goals in his final 31 games, including eight in his last nine contests. The three-time Hart Trophy winner and 2018 Conn Smythe Trophy recipient didn`t slow down in Game 1 against the Canadiens. He opened the scoring with a power-play goal and then netted the overtime winner. This gave him seven goals in eight career playoff games versus Montreal. At 39, it`s difficult to bet against him scoring. Expect him to continue climbing the NHL`s all-time playoff goals list; he`s currently tied with Joe Pavelski for 13th place with 74 and trails Mario Lemieux by two for 12th.
Caufield led Montreal with a career-high 37 goals during the regular season and scored one of the team`s two goals in Game 1. The 24-year-old right wing often scores in bunches, with six instances of converting in consecutive contests in 2024-25, five of which were streaks of three games or more. Caufield also found the back of the net in all three of the Canadiens` regular-season games against the Capitals and has recorded nine goals in 12 career matchups versus Washington, including the series opener.
Hintz has only scored twice in his last nine playoff games, with both goals coming against the Avalanche. One of these was Dallas` only goal in the series opener, which ended the 28-year-old center`s seven-game goalless streak to finish the regular season. Hintz hasn`t scored in six consecutive playoff road games, suggesting he might be due to find the back of the net away from home.
It feels almost inevitable that Draisaitl will score in a playoff game against the Kings. Including the opener of this series, the 29-year-old has scored 18 goals in 19 career playoff contests versus Los Angeles, all occurring in the last four years. In comparison, Draisaitl has netted 24 tallies in his other 56 playoff games against other opponents. He`s also been in excellent scoring form recently, regardless of the opponent, with 18 goals over his last 22 overall games and seven in the past eight.
Elton Marrow