Best NHL Prop Bets & Anytime Goal Scorer Picks Today in Pair of Playoff Contests

Written By Nick Crain | Published at May 12, 2026
May 10, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights confront each other during the third period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images

If you’re looking for anytime goal scorer picks or player props today, Tuesday’s NHL playoff slate brings two really interesting second-round matchups. Buffalo and Montreal are back at it in what has turned into a tight, emotional series, while Anaheim heads to Vegas for another huge game against a Golden Knights team trying to hold serve at home.

That gives this board a nice mix of proven stars, value swings, and props tied directly to players who should keep seeing the puck a lot. For those searching for NHL anytime goal scorer predictions and the best NHL prop bets today, this is the kind of slate where it makes sense to trust usage and trust the players most likely to stay involved in the key offensive moments.

Anytime Goal Scorer Picks Today

We'll start with the anytime goal scorer picks, which are the best bets in hockey because of how quickly they can cash. Here's the best anytime goal scorer bets today.

Tage Thompson Anytime Goal Scorer (+165 via BetMGM)

Thompson is the cleanest goal scorer look in the early game because Buffalo’s offense still runs heavily through him. He’s the kind of player who can beat a goalie from range, score on the power play, or cash in off one clean look in transition. At plus money, this is a strong starting point.

Ivan Barbashev Anytime Goal Scorer (+250 via BetMGM)

Barbashev is a nice plus-money look because he fits the type of player who can matter in a series like this. He doesn’t need a huge volume night to cash this kind of ticket. He just needs to stay around the right spots and capitalize when Vegas creates pressure. In a game where the Golden Knights should be aggressive at home, this is a smart value swing on a player who can benefit from the attention their bigger stars draw, which is what makes it one of the best anytime goal scorer bets today.

Rasmus Andersson Anytime Goal Scorer (+550 via FanDuel)

This is definitely the long-shot play of the group, but that’s what makes it interesting. At a number this big, you’re not expecting constant chances. You’re betting on one moment. Defensemen can be sneaky good anytime goal scorer plays in the playoffs because one point shot through traffic or one offensive-zone jump can be enough. If you want one true upside dart on the board, this is it.

Best NHL Prop Bets Today

Now onto the prop bets, which generally lean toward assists, shots on goal and points. With that in mind, here are the best NHL player props today.

Juraj Slafkovsky Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-110 via FanDuel)

Slafkovsky is a really solid shots-on-goal target because he’s the kind of winger who should stay aggressive in a game with this much intensity. Montreal is at home, which should help the Canadiens keep their top skill players active, and three shots is a fair number for someone with his role. He just needs to stay involved and keep putting pucks toward the net.

Jack Eichel Over 0.5 Assists (-165 via BetMGM)

This is one of the cleaner role bets on the slate. Vegas leans heavily on Eichel to drive offense, and one assist is a very reasonable ask from a player who constantly has the puck on his stick. He doesn’t need to score himself, which is part of why this market is attractive. One power-play touch or one strong passing sequence can get this home, and that’s usually the kind of player worth backing in a playoff setting.

Leo Carlsson Over 0.5 Points (-165 via FanDuel)

Carlsson is a nice points prop because he gives you multiple paths to cash. He can score one himself or pick up an assist if Anaheim’s top line creates enough pressure. That flexibility matters in playoff hockey, especially in a series where every little offensive burst feels important. In a game like this, it's fair to lean on Carlsson as one of the best NHL player props today.

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This is the kind of two-game playoff slate where the best approach is to take as many datapoints from previous games in the series as possible to inform what will happen next. 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 11.