Stanley Cup Odds & Predictions Today: Best NHL Playoff Expert Picks for Sunday, April 20

The Battle of Ontario returns in the postseason for the first time since the TV shows "House" and "Lost" debuted. While the Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs series won't drag on nearly as long as either show, neutrals will be hoping for a bruising seven-game clash. 

The Carolina Hurricanes look to put on a show at home, which they did throughout the regular season when they face the New Jersey Devils, while the Vegas Golden Knights hope to make it four straight wins against the Minnesota Wild.

It's all part of Sunday's first-round action, and we have you covered in our Stanley Cup Odds and predictions today. 

🏆 Live Stanley Cup odds & prediction to win NHL playoffs

Stanley Cup odds via our best NHL betting sites. Updated in real time.

After Mattias Ekholm's injury, I've pivoted on my Stanley Cup futures pick, backing the Colorado Avalanche to win their second Stanley Cup in four seasons. The Avalanche have a tidal wave of momentum behind them. They were one of the best teams down the stretch, mainly thanks to general manager Chris MacFarland's genius roster moves throughout the season. 

They have arguably the world's best player at each position, while Mackenzie Blackwood aced his first postseason test, finishing with 2.84 goals saved above expected. 

Here's a passage from the Stars vs. Avalanche Game 1 prediction: "Deeper than the Pacific Ocean's bottomless abyss, the Avs are stacked down the middle. Charlie Coyle and Brock Nelson have been acquitting themselves famously since arriving in the Mile High City."

In addition, club captain Gabriel Landeskog will return to the lineup soon. That will provide a morale boost, galvanizing the collective beyond measure. 

💰 Best bet to win Stanley Cup: Colorado Avalanche (+600 via DraftKings)

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🏒 NHL playoff predictions & best bets for today Sunday, April 20

Here are our best NHL predictions today for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including our expert picks and full-game previews for every matchup. Odds courtesy of BetMGM; subject to change.

🚨 Devils vs. Hurricanes prediction, odds & expert picks

📍 Puck drop: 3 p.m. ET | 📺 TV: ESPN, Sportrsnet 
📊 Odds: Devils (+175) | Hurricanes (-210) | O/U 5.5 

✅Best bet: Hurricanes 3-way ML (-125 via DraftKings)
🎯 Score prediction: Hurricanes 4, Devils 2 

Here's why Gary Pearson is picking the Hurricanes to win Game 1 in regulation time. 

"It was a perplexing final few months for the Hurricanes, who were the NHL's best from March 2 to March 30 (11-2-0) but lost seven of eight to finish the season. While there's no getting around that ghastly last three weeks, six of their final seven defeats came on the road.  

Carolina is an entirely different beast on home ice, where it had the third-best record (31-9-1) and allowed the sixth-fewest goals (2.46). They won nine of the last 11 games at Lenovo Center."

👉 Check out our full Devils vs. Hurricanes prediction for expert analysis, betting picks, and our favorite prop bets.

🚨 Senators vs. Maple Leafs prediction, odds & expert picks

📍 Puck drop: 7 p.m. ET | 📺 TV: ESPN, Sportsnet 
📊 Odds: Senators (+135) | Maple Leafs (-160) | O/U 5.5

Here's why Gary Pearson is picking Under 5.5 goals. 

"Anthony Stolarz, the confirmed Game 1 starter, has been almost impenetrable in his last nine starts. Winning eight of nine, he posted a .943 save percentage and a 1.55 goals-against average (GAA). That stingy streak is just part of his sterling resume, with the Maple Leafs' No. 1 also thriving on home ice.

In his 19 home games, a lower total due to his midseason injury, Stolarz sported the fifth-best save percentage (.932) on home ice and the third-best GAA (1.86). His last four games at Scotiabank Arena were even better, with Stolarz registering two shutouts, a .940 save percentage, and a 1.41 GAA." 

👉 Check out our full Senators vs. Maple Leafs for expert analysis, betting picks, and our favorite prop bets.

🚨 Wild vs. Golden Knights prediction, odds & expert picks

📍 Puck drop: 10 p.m. ET | 📺 TV: ESPN, Sportsnet
📊 Odds: Wild (+165) | Golden Knights (-200) | O/U 5.5 

Here's why Gary Pearson is picking Under 5.5 goals. 

"Adin Hill enjoyed an excellent stretch to cap off his season with an 8-2-0 record and a 2.18 goals-against average. He didn't allow more than three goals in any of those starts. In addition, the Golden Knights tied for the fourth-fewest goals against per game on home ice (2.41)."

👉 Check out our full Wild vs. Golden Knights prediction for expert analysis, betting picks, and our favorite prop bets.

NHL playoff live betting tips for today 

Regular season trends can extend into the postseason. However, the playoffs are their own beast, creating new trends like mountainous regions and altogether separate climates.  

For example, look at Saturday's game between the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets. The Jets were 2-16-1 when trailing after two periods in the regular season, yet they overcame the Blues entering the third down 3-2.

The Blues were 35-2-1 when leading after one period, contradicting what happened at Canada Life Centre in Game 1. That occurrence, however, is an exception to the norm, so here are a few things to look out for today when making your live bets.

Devils vs. Lightning Game 1 live betting tips 

• 24 of the Hurricanes' 31 wins on home ice came by two goals or more
• The Hurricanes had the second-best record when scoring the opener at home (19-2-0)
• However, they only scored the opener in 21 of 41 games at Lenovo Center
• The Devils scored opening goal on the road more than any other team (24 of 41 games)
• The Devils had the ninth-worst record when allowing the first goal on the road (4-12-1)

Senators vs. Maple Leafs Game 1 live betting tips 

• The Maple Leafs were the second-best team when leading after one period (26-3-0)
• The Maple Leafs were the second-best team when trailing after two periods (9-20-2)
• The Senators were tied with the Jets for the best record when scoring the opening goal (35-6-0)
• The Senators were tied for 18th in road games decided by one goal (8-4-4)
• The Maple Leafs were the third-best team when scoring the opener (34-8-2)
• The Maple Leafs were the best team in one-goal games (22-4-4)

Wild vs. Golden Knights Game 1 live betting tips 

• The Wild had the fifth-best record on the road in one-goal games and didn't lose in regulation (7-0-5)
• The Wild had the second-best record on the road in two-goal games (9-4)
• The Golden Knights won all 10 games at home that were decided by two goals
• The Golden Knights has the ninth-worst record on home ice in one-goal games (6-4-3)

👉 Check out our stats, trends to base Your NHL picks and predictions on for a more analytical deep dive on the first-round participants. 

🥅 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs betting odds & NHL expert picks

Looking to bet on today's games? Here are some helpful tips and our picks to keep you sharp through the Stanley Cup playoffs:

• NHL odds
• NHL picks
• NHL player prop odds
• How to bet on NHL
• Stanley Cup betting guide

🧠 Stanley Cup predictions, expert picks 

• Stanley Cup playoffs AI predictions
• Stanley Cup odds and matchups confirmed: Which teams have the advantage?
• Stats and trends to base your NHL picks and predictions on
• Best Round 1 underdog, long-shot picks
• Stanley Cup odds
• Stanley Cup odds and Round 1 injury updates
• Stanley Cup betting guide

💵 Best hockey betting sites

Ready to place your hockey bets today? Here are the best NHL betting sites and best sportsbook promos for the Stanley Cup playoffs:

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