Best NHL Prop Bets & Anytime Goal Scorer Picks for Today's Pair of Games

Written By Nick Crain | Published at May 6, 2026
May 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) hugs goaltender Alex Lyon (34) after their 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins in game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

If you’re looking for anytime goal scorer picks or player prop bets today, Wednesday’s NHL playoff slate is a good example of how quickly the board starts to narrow once the postseason moves deeper along. There are only two games tonight, but both carry interesting angles.

This slate has a nice mix of fresh-series energy in the East and a more defined game script in the West with one game of datapoints. In either case, it's a solid day of anytime goal scorer picks and player prop options.

Anytime Goal Scorer Picks Today

For bettors searching for NHL anytime goal scorer predictions today, this card leans into stars, top-line usage, and a couple of plus-money looks that fit the way these matchups are shaping up. Here are today's best anytime goal scorer picks.

Alex Tuch Anytime Goal Scorer (+180 via BetMGM)

Tuch is a really strong anytime goal scorer look because Buffalo is back on home ice to open the second round, and he remains one of the Sabres’ most dangerous finishing threats. In a Game 1 setting where the Sabres should be pressing the pace, this is a good plus-money number on one of their clear scoring leaders.

Ivan Barbashev Anytime Goal Scorer (+260 via DraftKings)

Barbashev is the value swing on the board, but there’s good logic behind it. He just scored the game-winner in Vegas’ 3-1 Game 1 win over Anaheim, and that kind of momentum matters in a series where the Golden Knights are already dictating a lot of the dangerous play. At this number, you’re getting a lot of value betting on a player who’s already shown he can capitalize in this matchup doing it again.

Mikael Granlund Anytime Goal Scorer (+325 via DraftKings)

Granlund is another big plus-money swing, but he’s not just a random dart. If the Ducks are going to answer in Game 2, there’s a strong chance it comes from one of the players already finding ways to get involved offensively. In a series where Anaheim may not control long stretches, taking a skilled forward at a number like this makes plenty of sense.

Best NHL Prop Bets Today

If you prefer other types of individual player bets, an anytime goal scorer isn't the only option. Assists and points are also popular props, so here's the best player props for today's NHL slate.

Rasmus Dahlin Over 0.5 Assists (-130 via BetMGM)

This is one of the cleaner role bets on the slate. Dahlin drives so much of Buffalo’s offense from the back end that asking for one assist is very reasonable, especially in a home opener where the Sabres should be aggressive. He doesn’t need a huge game to cash this. One clean breakout, one power-play touch, or one sequence where he starts the attack is enough.

Tage Thompson Over 0.5 Points (-236 via DraftKings)

This is a straightforward foundation play. Thompson is one of Buffalo’s core offensive pieces, and in a points market, the beauty is that he has more than one path to get there. He can score it himself or set one up for a teammate. In a game where Buffalo should be leaning heavily on its best players, backing Thompson to touch the scoresheet is a very reasonable angle.

Jack Eichel Over 0.5 Assists (-165 via BetMGM)

Eichel over an assist makes a lot of sense because Vegas’ attack still runs heavily through him. He doesn’t have to be the finisher for this prop to cash, and that’s what makes it appealing. Game 1 showed the Golden Knights can create enough pressure in this matchup, and Eichel is the kind of playmaker who usually ends up involved when Vegas is generating quality offense.

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This is a nice two-game playoff card because the bets all line up with clear roles. As the playoff field keeps shrinking, top-end players is usually the best place to start. As always, be sure to check multiple sportsbooks to ensure you get the best odds.