Best NHL Prop Bets & Anytime Goal Scorer Picks Today, April 2, 2026
As the NHL regular season winds down, we’ve got an action packed 14-game slate on the ice for Thursday. There is plenty of jockeying for playoff positioning, especially in the muddled Western Conference, where five teams entered Wednesday within four points of Nashville for the second wild card spot. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference has four teams within three points of Columbus for the second wild card spot with two weeks to go.
With such a busy slate on the docket, there are some solid options for your NHL prop bets and anytime goal scorer picks across the league. Let’s take a look at some of the top plays to help you walk away a winner at the window. The odds were courtesy of FanDuel and were current as of 10 pm ET on April 1.
Anytime Goal Scorer Picks Today
Jake Guentzel, Lightning Over 0.5 Goals (+130): With Tampa Bay in a tight race in the Atlantic Division, they’re battling to maintain home ice advantage. Guentzel has been hot of late as he has scored in five straight games and seven of their last eight. On the year, he has 36 goals and 81 points, following up on a stellar first season with the team in 2024-25. He’s on fire right now and with Pittsburgh middle of the road in goals against, coupled with Tampa Bay’s relentless assault, look for Guentzel to dent the twine here.
Connor McDavid, Oilers Over 0.5 Goals (-110): Much like Guentzel and the Lightning, McDavid and the Oilers are trying to lock down a playoff spot. Edmonton’s superstar has been up to the task, lighting the lamp six times in the last five games. He has 43 goals and 82 assists for 125 points on the season even with Leon Draisaitl sidelined since March 15. With Edmonton winners of four straight contests and just two points back of Anaheim for the top spot in the Pacific Division, the Oilers are clicking. Chicago stands just 25th in goals against (3.24 per game) and McDavid cashes in here.
Tage Thompson (Sabres) Over 0.5 Goals (+160): Buffalo is primed to end the longest playoff drought in the four major pro sports leagues. Thompson is a big reason why as he shoulders a big load on both ends. He has four goals in his last seven games and fired 28 shots on goal in his last 10 games. Thompson has scored at least 38 goals in four of his last five seasons, including 38 so far this year. He doesn’t need the man advantage to light the lamp as he has 32 even-strength markers. Facing an Ottawa squad that is tied for 21st in goals allowed per game (3.10) works in his favor. Thompson has 10 goals in 19 career games against the Senators. That number climbs here.
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Bruins vs. Panthers Over 6 (-118): What a difference a year makes when it comes to the Panthers. Florida entered the year as the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions yet entered Wednesday in the basement of the Atlantic Division. The Panthers are in the bottom five in the league by allowing 3.32 goals per contest this season. Florida has seen the over go 41-31-2 on the year with an average of 6.34 goals per game. Boston is eighth in the league as they put up 3.36 goals per contest. The Bruins see an average of 6.52 goals a night and the over has cashed in their last four games. These teams have gone over the number in five of the last six meetings. That trend continues here.
Penguins vs. Lightning Over 6.5 (-110): This game is loaded with talent on both sides. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust lead the way for the Penguins. Jake Guentzel, Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel do damage offensively for Tampa Bay. The Lightning stand second in the league by scoring 3.57 goals per game, trailing only Colorado for the top spot. Pittsburgh isn’t far behind in that category, ranking sixth with 3.47 goals per contest. The Penguins have gone over the mark in eight of their last 10 games while the Lightning has had the over post a 6-2-2 mark in that 10-game stretch. Look for plenty of offense in this contest.
Alex Ovechkin, Capitals Over 2.5 Shots (-170): Ovechkin comes in off a two-goal showing in the Capitals’ win over the Flyers Tuesday night. He has fired 216 shots on net this season in 75 games and has a league record 7,080 shots in his career. Ovechkin has gone over this mark in seven of his last 10 games, including a three-shot performance Tuesday. With the Capitals trying to climb into the playoff chase, Ovechkin won’t slow down trying to create opportunities offensively. He should get at least three shots, if not more, in this one.
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- Bruins vs. Panthers Over 6 (-118)
- Connor McDavid, Oilers Over 0.5 Goals (-110)
- Jake Guentzel, Lightning Over 0.5 Goals (+130)
Total Odds: +711 via FanDuel
We discussed everything at stake for the Lightning and Oilers above. Guentzel and McDavid each have five-game goal streaks entering this contest. Each faces a team that is middle of the road or worst when it comes to keeping the puck out of the net this season. McDavid is dangerous regardless of where he is on the ice and Guentzel has been lights out in two seasons with Tampa. Florida has struggled to slow opposing teams this season. Perhaps the fatigue of two straight titles caught up to them. Maybe it was the injury to Aleksander Barkov that cost him the year. As it stands, facing a Boston team averaging four goals a game in their last 10 is bad news. Florida has allowed 3.4 goals a night in the last 10 and that pushes this over the mark.
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