NHL Best Bets Today: Expert NHL Picks for 04/17/2025

The Lightning bring tremendous offensive firepower into Madison Square Garden, averaging 3.70 goals per game on the season and coming off scoring 12 goals in their last two contests.

Tampa's defensive structure remains one of the league's best at 2.68 goals allowed per game, with Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh creating turnovers and limiting high-danger chances.

Multiple betting experts have identified value on the Lightning as road underdogs, with Dimers' predictive model giving Tampa a 48.2% win probability - higher than the implied odds at +120.

The Rangers have shown recent vulnerability, allowing 10 goals over their past two games while Tampa's attack led by Kucherov and Hagel has been clicking at an elite level.

Vasilevskiy gives the Lightning a significant edge in net, and at plus-money, Tampa represents the strongest value play on tonight's slate heading into the playoff push.

The Blue Jackets are riding a five-game winning streak and showing impressive offensive output despite being eliminated from playoff contention.

Columbus has been particularly lethal on home ice, averaging a whopping 3.98 goals per game in their home arena this season.

The Islanders have massively underperformed this season and appear to be going through the motions, allowing an alarming 4 goals per game over their last 10 contests.

With the Blue Jackets motivated to end their season on a high note in front of the home crowd, they have a clear emotional edge over an Islanders team that's been defensively porous.

New York has struggled to generate consistent offense, scoring two goals or fewer in three of their last four games, giving Columbus a clear path to victory in this regular season finale.

The Capitals bring elite offensive production to this rivalry matchup, with their 3.59 goals per game giving them a significant edge over Pittsburgh's struggling defense that allows 3.56 per contest.

Washington's defensive unit, anchored by veterans John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun, has been stingy all season, allowing just 2.84 goals per game while facing a Penguins offense that scores under 3 goals per contest.

Alexander Ovechkin and Dylan Strome continue to create scoring chances in transition, using their quick puck movement to break down opposing defenses.

The Capitals' goaltending has been solid with Charlie Lindgren making timely saves, giving Washington confidence they can shut down Pittsburgh's attack.

As road favorites, Washington offers solid betting value against a Penguins team that has struggled to find consistency all season.

This matchup features two defensively sound teams, with Carolina allowing just 2.77 goals per game and Ottawa at a respectable 2.87.

Both defensive units excel at creating turnovers in the neutral zone and limiting high-quality scoring chances through structured positioning and active sticks.

The goaltending battle features Fredrik Andersen for Carolina and Anton Forsberg for Ottawa – both netminders capable of stealing games when they're dialed in.

Playoff-bound Carolina will likely emphasize defensive responsibility as they prepare for postseason hockey, while Ottawa has shown they can match that structured approach.

The expert consensus strongly favors the under, with multiple analyses pointing toward a tight-checking, low-scoring affair as these defensively responsible teams clash.