Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game April 30, 2026
DAL
@
MIN
Thu, Apr 30 • 7:30 PM ET
Jake Oettinger o25.5 Total Saves (-125)
While a couple overtimes have helped, Wallstedt turned away at least 27 shots in each of the first four games of this series before stopping 20 of 22 shots in Game 5. He’s sporting an impressive .926 save percentage with 4.74 goals saved above expected in the postseason, and I can’t imagine the Stars not pushing for more pucks on net at five-on-five. Dallas hasn’t scored at even strength since the first period of Game 3, after all.
Mavrik Bourque o0.5 Goals Scored (+390)
Bourque leads all Stars forwards in scoring chances, high-danger chances, expected goals, and – get this – time on ice at 5-on-5. The youngster has threatened consistently but is yet to be rewarded. There’s value in backing that to change at a near +400 price point.
EDM
@
ANA
Thu, Apr 30 • 10:00 PM ET
Evan Bouchard o2.5 Shots On Goal (-110)
Make no mistake, Bouchard is struggling to thread the needle with his 27 attempts resulting in just seven shots (25.9%) through the first five games of Round 1. The go-to blueliner converted 47.2% of his attempts into shots during the regular season, so while it’s definitely more difficult with a heightened emphasis on opponents blocking shots during the playoffs, there’s still statistical correction coming for Bouchard. He quarterbacks the No. 1 power-play unit and has averaged 24:59 of ice time this postseason while taking 58.3% of his 5-on-5 faceoffs in the offensive zone, so the opportunities will continue to be there in Game 6.
John Carlson o1.5 Shots Blocked (-120)
Carlson recorded two or more blocks in each of the first four games of the series for nine total, and he’s logging big minutes with 24:29 per night this postseason. Additionally, while his 52.9 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five is solid, the two centers he’s jumping the boards to match up against most frequently are Edmonton stars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, so he’s being tasked with tough assignments. Additionally, Carlson is also on the No. 2 penalty-kill minutes.
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TB
@
MON
Fri, May 1 • 7:00 PM ET
Jake Evans o0.5 Goals Scored (+625)
Evans, promoted to the second line centering Ivan Demidov and Alex Newhook, produced two high-danger scoring chances in Game 5, including a shorthanded breakaway. He also led the Habs with four empty-netters during the regular season, and with all five games thus far decided by a goal, you can expect #71 to be deployed accordingly.
VEG
@
UTAH
Fri, May 1 • 10:00 PM ET
Nick Schmaltz o0.5 Goals Scored (+225)
Dylan Guenther o3.5 Shots On Goal (-140)
Getting Dylan Guenther the puck in shooting position has been the top priority for Utah in this series – and they’ve done a great job of it.
He has averaged 5.2 shots on 11 attempts through five games, going over his total in each.
Nobody on the Mammoth has come close to that kind of volume. Nick Schmaltz ranks second on the team in attempts and he is averaging 5.6, just over half of Guenther’s output.
In a do or die game on home soil, Guenther should be aggressive while logging a ton of ice.
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