With three games on Thursday’s first-round NHL playoff slate, there are several strong betting opportunities to target. Here are the top bets and player props to consider, with added value available through the DraftKings NHL Playoffs Boost Pack.
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Top Promo Picks for Thursday 4/23/26
Profit Boost 2
- Tage Thompson 4+ Shots on Goal (at BOS)
- David Pastrnak 1+ Assist (vs BUF)
- Nikolaj Ehlers 1+ Point (at OTT)
- Odds: +342
Thompson has totaled 13 shots and 19 shot attempts in just two games this postseason, the sixth-most among skaters. The Sabres vs. Bruins series will shift to Boston for Games 3 and 4. While Thompson found more consistency at home, he has cleared this line in each of his past three games at TD Garden, and he remains Buffalo’s primary source of offensive production.
Pastrnak has four assists through two games, and he has recorded one in eight of the Bruins’ last nine home games. He has found great success against the Sabres in the past, recording at least one assist in 13 of the past 17 meetings, and the home crowd bump should result in even more Bruins offense tonight in Game 3.
Ehlers got on the board in Game 2 with an assist, and he has totaled at least one point in six of his last eight outings. Much like my other two choices, Ehlers has found success versus the Senators in the past, recording at least one point in nine of his past 10 outings against them. These goaltenders have been outperforming their metrics through two games, and I’d expect some goals to start getting through, which will lead to more points.
Profit Boost 3
- Tim Stutzle Anytime Goalscorer (vs CAR)
- Martin Necas Anytime Goalscorer (at LA)
- Odds: +725
Both of these players have failed to find the back of the net lately, but they’re still seeing high-quality chances.
Stutzle hasn’t scored since Apr. 9, but he has found success against the Hurricanes in the past, especially when playing at home. The 24-year-old has scored in each of the Senators’ four home games against the Hurricanes and in seven of the past 12 meetings overall. During the regular season, he ranked second on the Senators in 5v5 goals and third in power play goals.
Necas is in the same boat, having not scored for the past five games, despite recording 18 shots and eight high-danger chances. The series will shift to Los Angeles, which should bode well for him, as he put together solid scoring streaks on the road during the regular season. Negative regression will eventually catch up to Anton Forsberg, who has stood on his head in both games thus far, and a team can only contain the Avalanche for so long.
