Best NHL Prop Bets & Anytime Goal Scorer Picks Today in Avalanche-Wild Matchup

If you’re looking for anytime goal scorer picks today, Wednesday’s NHL playoff slate is all about one game with huge stakes. The Minnesota Wild are on the road in Denver, facing elimination, while the Colorado Avalanche are back home with a 3-1 series lead and a chance to punch their ticket to the Western Conference Final.

That alone makes this a really fun board for player markets. When there’s only one game and one team is trying to close while the other is fighting to stay alive, the stars tend to dominate the conversation. For bettors searching for NHL anytime goal scorer predictions and the best NHL prop bets today, this slate is built around exactly that dynamic.

Anytime Goal Scorer Picks Today

Kicking off with anytime goal scorer picks, elimination games always have a different feel. Lean on proven producers, even if their odds aren't the most attractive. As such, here's the best anytime goal scorer picks today.

Nathan MacKinnon Over 0.5 Goals (-130 via BetMGM)

MacKinnon is the cleanest scoring look on the board because Colorado’s offense still runs right through him, and he has been piling up goals in this series. He extended his goal-scoring streak in Game 4, and this is exactly the kind of closeout spot where the Avalanche are going to lean on their biggest star again. On a one-game slate, there’s usually value in not overthinking the most obvious superstar angle.

Matt Boldy Over 0.5 Goals (+155 via DraftKings)

Boldy makes a lot of sense from the Minnesota side because if the Wild are going to extend this series, they need one of their top scorers to break through. He has been one of Minnesota’s most dangerous offensive players throughout the playoffs, and in an elimination game, the Wild should be pressing their best skill guys into major offensive roles. At plus money, this is a strong way to bet on Minnesota’s need to generate more finish.

Kirill Kaprizov Over 0.5 Goals (+150 via DraftKings)

Kaprizov is always live in this market because he is still the Wild’s most dangerous finisher and the player most capable of creating a goal out of very little. He already found the net earlier in the series, and he remains the player Minnesota most needs to drive offense if it wants to survive. In a game where the Wild should come out desperate, getting plus money on their top scorer is easy to justify.

Best NHL Prop Bets Today

Onto other player props, including assists, points and shots on goal. There's no shortage of options even with one game, but here are the best NHL player props today.

Quinn Hughes Over 0.5 Assists (-160 via BetMGM)

This is one of the cleaner role bets on the board. Minnesota clearly leans on Hughes to help drive offense from the back end, and he has already shown in this series that he can pile up points when the Wild get moving. One assist is a fair number for a defenseman who handles that much puck-moving responsibility, especially in a game where Minnesota should be pushing for offense from the jump.

Cale Makar Over 0.5 Points (-235 via DraftKings)

Makar over a half point is a straightforward playoff prop because Colorado gets so much offense from its blue line and Makar is at the center of that. The Avalanche attack has been strong enough all series that backing Makar for one point is really just betting on Colorado continuing to create with one of its best players involved. On a one-game board, that’s usually a solid foundation piece.

Mats Zuccarello Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-185 via BetMGM)

Zuccarello is a nice shots-on-goal angle because Minnesota is in a position where it can’t afford passengers. In that kind of game, veteran forwards like Zuccarello should stay active. Two shots is not asking for a huge night. It just asks him to stay involved offensively in a game where Minnesota should be throwing plenty toward net.

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This is the kind of playoff slate where trusting stars and trusting usage is usually the best move. With Colorado trying to close and Minnesota trying to survive, there should be no shortage of action in this one. 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 12.