We have a short four-game slate on the ice tonight. However, there are still some great prop bets to take advantage of, including plus-money wagers on players finding the back of the net. Here, we will break down our favorite NHL anytime goal scorer picks.
Last night, a wild turn of events officially ended the seasons of a few teams. As of today, all playoff berths have been clinched. It is just a matter of finalizing seeding for the penultimate day of the 2023-24 NHL season.
Let’s take a look at our three best NHL player prop bets for Wednesday, April 17.
Read More: NHL Odds | Stanley Cup Odds
NHL Anytime Goal Scorer Picks
Leon Draisaitl ()
Our last NHL goal scorer predictions also featured Leon Draisaitl. While the Oilers put up nine goals against the Sharks, Draisaitl preferred to share the love, picking up two assists. He has a similar matchup tonight against an equally bad Arizona Coyotes squad.
Arizona ranks towards the bottom in five-on-five play, including goals allowed and shots per game. They also have one of the worst power play kill rates and rank 24th in time spent shorthanded. Although Edmonton does not have much to play for the rest of the way, Draisaitl leads the team in power-play goals (21), and the Coytoes’ goaltender, Karel Vejmelka, has struggled this season with a .895 save percentage.
If Edmonton can draw an advantage, Draisaitl will be in a good position to cash an anytime goal scorer prop.
Auston Matthews ()
As mentioned above, betting on an anytime goal scorer in a game that practically means nothing to either side is tricky. However, Maple Leafs’ franchise player Auston Matthews enters today’s season finale with 69 goals, which is a career-high.
One more goal tonight would give him 70, making him only the 15th player to do so and the first since Alexander Mogilny in 1993. Toronto will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight, which could favor Matthews to light the lamp for the 70th time this season.
Both teams rank in the top five in goals per game, and Toronto takes the seventh-most shots per night. It also helps that neither defense is that great, and there could be a dip in effort on the defensive end with nothing to play for.
Sidney Crosby ()
The Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated from the postseason during a crazy late-night slate yesterday. Tonight, they will end their season against the New York Islanders, who could be the worst team in the playoffs this season.
This game is all about the Islanders’ staying healthy for the postseason. While Pittsburgh may find this game more annoying, especially with how the season ended, the Penguins have fared well against New York.
They are 2-0-1 and have outscored the Islanders 10-1 in both wins. New York has a mediocre defense, which should give Sidney Crosby plenty of opportunity to put up one more big game this year. He scored two goals against the Islanders early this season, and, at plus money, he is worth a shot tonight.
Best NHL Betting Bonuses
The NHL regular season is ending this week. However, there are still plenty of NHL betting bonuses to take advantage of. We advise bettors to check out our top-ranked sports betting apps to get the best odds, lines, and betting promos leading up to the playoffs.
If you live in a legal sports betting state, the top online sportsbooks will offer welcome offers and in-app bonuses, including bet insurance, profit boosts, and bet-and-get promos for betting on the NHL. Below is a list of Gaming Today’s favorite sports betting apps and their welcome offers for new users.
📱Sportsbook 💰Bonus Offer 🎯 Promo Code
BetMGM Get up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if Your First Bet Doesn't Win*
(*Excludes NY and PR. NV customers get up to $250 in Bonus Bets if First Bet Doesn’t Win).Use code TODAY to claim (OH customers use BETGTODAY instead)
Caesars Sportsbook Get up to a $1,000 First Bet on Caesars Use code TODAY1000
FanDuel Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed *T&Cs below Click to Claim
BetRivers Second Chance Bet Credit up to $500
($250 in NJ; $100 in WV)Use code TODAYRIV
bet365 First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000 OR Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
(PA offer: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets PLUS 50 Spins)Use code
GTODAYVA
DraftKings Up to $1,250 in Total Bonuses
(Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly PLUS 20% deposit match up to $1,000 PLUS $50 Bonus Bet with $5 deposit)Click to Claim
Fanatics Sportsbook Bet and Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets Click to Claim
NHL-Affiliated Betway, SaharaBets Sportsbooks to Cease Operations
Two struggling sportsbooks with National Hockey League connections announced their intentions to shutter on Wednesday. […]
Will SaharaBets Desert Arizona Like the Coyotes?
The bones of the Arizona Coyotes have relocated to Salt Lake City as Utah Hockey […]
Connor McDavid: First Sportsbook Ambassador to Win a Trophy While Active?
A whole new category of firsts opened when legal sports betting began spreading across the […]
Stanley Cup Playoff Betting Trends: Rangers and Oilers Getting Action
New York, New York is proving to be the bettors’ kind of town. The New [...]
NHL Short-Handed Goals Cue Wins 70% of the Time
It’s always felt like a team that allows a short-handed goal loses that game most [...]
2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs: First Round Betting Preview and Best Bets
The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin a two-month journey across North America this weekend. To win […]