NHL Best Bets Today: Expert NHL Picks for 04/16/2025

The Canadiens have everything to play for tonight with a playoff berth on the line, while Carolina has already locked up second place and is simply going through the motions.

Montreal needs just one point to secure their playoff spot, giving them massive motivation at home where they've shown they can score against the Hurricanes, putting up four goals in their only home meeting this season.

Carolina is slumping at the worst time, going 1-5 in their last six games with anemic offense producing zero or one goal in three of their last five contests.

The Hurricanes are likely resting key players with their playoff position secured, and their defense has been completely exploited lately, surrendering 20 goals across their last five games.

Montreal's solid defensive work recently - allowing two or fewer goals in four of their last six - gives them the edge against a Carolina team that has little to play for and every reason to protect their stars.

Carolina might be slumping, but they still managed to put up four goals against Montreal in their most recent meeting last month, showing they can exploit the Canadiens' defensive weaknesses.

Montreal's defensive metrics are concerning - they rank 29th in shots conceded per game and feature mediocre goaltending that the Hurricanes can capitalize on despite their recent offensive struggles.

The Hurricanes' defense has completely fallen apart lately, surrendering a whopping 20 goals in their last five games, including five against Boston.

Recent trends strongly favor the over, with the over hitting in four of Carolina's last five road games - a telling pattern as they visit Montreal.

With Montreal fighting for their playoff lives and Carolina playing loose with nothing at stake, we can expect a more open, offensive-minded game from both sides rather than a tight-checking affair.

Both teams have been trending under recently, with the Red Wings featuring in low-scoring affairs and the Devils allowing just 2.67 goals per game this season.

New Jersey's defense, anchored by Johnathan Kovacevic and Brenden Dillon, has excelled at creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting quality shots on goal.

Detroit's offense has been anemic, averaging only 2.87 goals per game, and they'll face even tougher sledding against a Devils team that's tightening up defensively as they prepare for the playoffs.

The Red Wings bring a solid defensive unit led by Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson that should contain a Devils offense that averages a modest 2.95 goals per game.

With both goaltenders - Jake Allen for the Devils and Cam Talbot for the Red Wings - playing well recently, this matchup has all the makings of a tight, low-scoring affair.

Vancouver enters this matchup with strong momentum, winning three of their last four games and generating impressive offensive production with 14 goals during that stretch.

The Canucks have a massive advantage on special teams, converting over 22% of their power play opportunities while facing a Vegas team that ranks a poor 24th in penalty killing.

Golden Knights are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, which should create noticeable fatigue issues against a rested Vancouver squad.

The Canucks' defense has been particularly stingy at home, allowing just seven goals in their last three home games, and they boast the second-best penalty kill in the league.

Vegas has managed just eight goals in their last three road games, suggesting they'll struggle to generate offense against Vancouver's disciplined defensive structure.