Best NHL Prop Bets & Anytime Goal Scorer Picks Today: Game 3 is a Pivotal Contest

Written By Nick Crain | Published at May 26, 2026
May 23, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Montréal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) celebrates after scoring a goal during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes in game two of the Eastern Conferene Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

If you’re looking for anytime goal scorer picks today, Monday’s NHL playoff slate is all about one game and a ton of pressure. The Hurricanes and Canadiens are back at it in Montreal, and with the series already tightening up, every shift feels a little bigger now. That is what makes a one-game playoff board so fun.

There is nowhere to hide, the stars are going to play massive minutes, and the player markets are concentrated around the names most likely to decide the game. For readers searching for NHL anytime goal scorer predictions today and the best NHL prop bets today, this is a strong spot to lean into top-line scorers, skilled playmakers, and players whose offensive roles should stay huge all night.

Anytime Goal Scorer Picks Today

Starting with the players who shift the score, scoring points is all that matters. With that in mind, here are the best goal scorers today.

Cole Caufield Over 0.5 Goals (+160 via DraftKings)

Caufield is always one of the cleanest goal-scoring bets on a Montreal board because he is still the Canadiens’ most natural finisher. In a home playoff game, Montreal is going to need its best shooter to stay aggressive and look for chances early. He does not need a ton of room to make this cash, and that is what makes him so dangerous in tighter postseason games. At plus money, this is a very fair number on the player most likely to score for Montreal.

Nick Suzuki Over 0.5 Goals (+230 via BetMGM)

Suzuki is a strong value look because he is exactly the kind of player who tends to matter more when the pressure rises. He plays in all the big moments, gets key offensive touches, and gives Montreal another top-end scoring option beyond Caufield. In a one-game slate, that type of role matters a lot. At this number, betting on the Canadiens’ captain to come through in a huge home game makes plenty of sense.

Sebastian Aho Over 0.5 Goals +230 via DraftKings

Aho is still the cleanest Carolina goal-scoring look because so much of the Hurricanes’ offense runs through him. If Carolina is going to answer on the road, there is a very good chance Aho is involved in the goal that gets them going. He is smart around the middle of the ice, dangerous off the rush, and always one of the better anytime goal scorer bets on a short playoff board. At plus money, this stands out right away.

Best NHL Prop Bets Today

From there, you can always capitalize on other individual players. Here are the best NHL prop bets today.

Ivan Demidov Over 0.5 Assists (+160 via BetMGM)

This is a really appealing plus-money prop because Demidov does not need to score himself to cash it. Montreal needs more than just its top couple of scorers to contribute, and Demidov is the kind of skilled player who can help create one key finish in a game like this. In a playoff setting where one clean transition chance or one power-play touch can change everything, this is a smart way to bet on his offensive involvement.

Logan Stankoven Over 0.5 Points (+100 via BetMGM)

Stankoven is a nice even-money point prop because he gives you more than one path to cash. He can score one himself or pick up an assist if Carolina’s pressure game starts producing chances. That flexibility always matters in playoff hockey, especially on a one-game slate. He is the type of secondary offensive piece who can quietly make a big impact while the attention goes to the bigger Carolina stars.

Seth Jarvis Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+131 via DraftKings)

Jarvis is the more aggressive prop on the board, but the plus money makes it interesting. Carolina should be leaning on its most attack-minded forwards, and Jarvis is exactly the type of player who can rack up shot volume if the Hurricanes are pushing the pace. Four shots is not a tiny number, but on a one-game slate with this much urgency, there is a real case for betting on one of Carolina’s most active offensive players to stay aggressive all night.

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This is the kind of playoff slate where trusting role and trusting usage is usually the best way to go. As always, be sure to check multiple sportsbooks to ensure you get the best odds.

All Odds as of 11:59 p.m. ET on May 24.