Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game April 18, 2026
OTT
@
CAR
Sat, Apr 18 • 3:00 PM ET
Brady Tkachuk o0.5 Assists (+155)
Tkachuk had an assist on Thursday against the Florida Panthers, and he also grabbed four helpers last Tuesday against a very good Tampa Bay Lightning team. While he’s failed to have an assist against Carolina this season, Tkachuk has 11 SOG against them in three meetings, and he’s registered 18 helpers in 30 road outings.
Dylan Cozens o0.5 Points (+115)
Cozens has registered a point in five of his last six games. Perhaps more importantly, he strung together a four-game point streak en route to the Sens punching their ticket to the playoffs. He notched two points in a 6-3 win over Carolina on April 5. The 25-year-old scored four points in two games against the 'Canes this season.
MIN
@
DAL
Sat, Apr 18 • 5:30 PM ET
Matt Boldy o0.5 Points (-170)
Boldy has notched 42 goals and 43 assists this season, and he’s cashed the Over in three of his last four contests. The youngster has also shone against the Stars in 2025-26. Across four meetings, he’s scored twice and tallied four helpers.
MIN (+105)
The Stars limped into the postseason with a 7-5-2 record, and just three of those wins came against postseason teams. More concerning, Dallas ranked 20th in expected goals percentage at five-on-five. For comparison, Minnesota ranked fourth in xGF% at 5-on-5 during the same stretch. Dallas will also be without two-way center Roope Hintz, and No. 1 defenseman Miro Heiskanen (lower body) is likely to play at less than 100% after missing the final three games of the regular season and being deemed questionable for the series opener.
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PHI
@
PIT
Sat, Apr 18 • 8:00 PM ET
Evgeni Malkin o0.5 Assists (+115)
Malkin finished the regular season with 42 assists, serving as one of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ top playmakers. The Russian has hit the Over in helpers in three of his last four appearances. Malkin has thrived at home as a passer, notching 24 assists in 28 games.
u6.5 (-130)
Flyers were dominant defensively at five-on-five down the stretch with the fewest goals against and second-fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes during their NHL best 15-5-1 run after the March 6 trade deadline. Excellent defense will be critical against Pittsburgh because the Pens paced the league in goals per 60 minutes and team shooting percentage at 5-on-5 during the same result. I’m anticipating the solid Philly defense to help kick-start statistical correction to the shooting efficiency from Pittsburgh and pave the way to this total going Under the number in Game 1.
LA
@
COL
Sun, Apr 19 • 3:00 PM ET
Nathan MacKinnon o0.5 Goals Scored (-125)
Nathan MacKinnon led the NHL in goals, shot attempts, and shots on target during the regular season. He was especially productive when well-rested.
He has scored 10 goals over his last nine games working on two days of rest, and five goals spanning four games after having 3+ days of rest.
MacKinnon also found the net in 64% of Colorado’s home wins, and I expect the Avalanche to win decisively here.
COL -1.5 (+105)
The Colorado Avalanche ran over the Los Angeles Kings in the regular season, winning all three meetings by multiple goals while beating them 13-5 in aggregate.
That was par for the course for Los Angeles when facing high-end teams, especially defensively.
Los Angeles lost seven of its last 10 games against Top-10 defensive teams, averaging 1.8 goals and 24.9 shots per game. Generating offense was a massive challenge.
It won’t get any easier for them against the Avalanche, who went 15-3-1 with a net goal differential of +1.79 per game following 2+ days of rest.
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