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Stanley Cup Odds & AI Predictions Today: Best NHL Playoff Picks for Friday, April 25

Gary Pearson

Last Updated: April 25, 2025 9:42 AM EDT • 4 min 21 sec read.

Stanley Cup Odds & AI Predictions Today: Best NHL Playoffs Picks for Friday, April 25
Pictured: Los Angeles Kings right wing Quinton Byfield is congratulated by left wing Kevin Fiala. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea via Imagn Images

Two straight overtime victories have put the Toronto Maple Leafs on the brink of the second round as we look ahead to Friday's action, offering the Stanley Cup odds and AI predictions today, along with our best NHL playoff picks for each game. 

All three of today's matchups could end with 3-0 series advantages, as the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, and Los Angeles Kings focus on obtaining a stranglehold.  

Only four of 205 teams have come back from a three-game series deficit, pouring the pressure on the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, and New Jersey Devils.

🏆 Live Stanley Cup odds & prediction to win NHL playoffs

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

🏒 NHL playoff predictions & best bets for today Friday, April 25

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.

🚨 Capitals vs. Canadiens prediction, odds & expert picks

📍 Puck drop: 7 p.m. ET | 📺 TV: TNT
📊 Odds: Capitals (-120)| Canadiens (+100)| O/U 5.5
🎯 Score prediction: Canadiens 3, Capitals 2

Here is why Gary Pearson is picking Under 5.5 goals.

"I came into the series doubting Logan Thompson's ability to return from injury and recapture his Vezina-like regular-season form. He's done that and then some. His counterpart, Sam Montembeault, has been his equal in every way. The Habs' No. 1 netminder has not disappointed in his first playoffs.

His 2.0 goals saved above expected is sixth best of the 16 starters. Meanwhile, Washington is more comfortable playing stout defensive hockey on the road than a landscaper is with alfresco work. The Capitals allowed the second-fewest goals on the road during the regular season (2.66)."

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

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🤖 Capitals vs. Canadiens Game 3 AI prediction

🎯 Score prediction: Canadiens 3, Capitals 2

Here's why ChatGPT is picking the Canadiens to win: 

"Montreal returns home down 0–2, narrowly losing both games after being outmuscled. The Canadiens have been showing they can hang with the Capitals when their forecheck is working and the team's top line is producing. The Bell Centre will be electric, as it’s the team's first packed home playoff game in eight years, and that energy should be a factor.

Expect Montreal’s young core to push the pace early, unlike the slow starts in D.C. If the Canadiens can stay disciplined, win special teams battles (where Cole Caufield can be a difference-maker), and lean on Montembeault again, they’re poised to get back into the series."

🚨 Hurricanes vs. Devils prediction, odds & expert picks

📍 Puck drop: 8 p.m. ET | 📺 TV: TBS
📊 Odds: Hurricanes (-165)| Devils (+140) | O/U 5.5
🎯 Score prediction: Hurricanes 3, Devils 2

"While Jacob Markstrom - who has tallied 3.9 goals saved above expected - has been the standout player of the series (aside from injuring Dillon), Frederik Andersen is also in top form. The Canes' netminder has logged 3.3 goals saved above expected through two games, and both goaltenders sit in the top five of that category, with Markstrom in second and Andersen fourth.

The abundance of chances in Game 2 would usually lead to at least six goals, but each netminder's elite play facilitated the Under. I expect that dialed-in goaltending to continue tonight."

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

🤖 Hurricanes vs. Devils Game 3 AI prediction

🎯 Score prediction: Hurricanes 3, Devils 2

Here's why ChatGPT is picking the Hurricanes to win: 

"New Jersey comes out with jump in front of a fired-up Prudential Center crowd. The Devils will finally convert on a power play and control stretches of the game. But Carolina’s resilience, balanced attack, and goaltending should steal the spotlight again. Expect a tight-checking, emotional game — the most competitive of the series so far."

🚨 Kings vs. Oilers prediction, odds & expert picks

📍 Puck drop: 10 p.m. ET | 📺 TV: [Channel]
📊 Odds: Kings (+115) | Oilers (-135) | O/U 6

Here's why Connor Cooper is picking Over 6 goals: 

"I’m not optimistic the Oilers can slow down the Kings, especially with so many Los Angeles stars playing with confidence. Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar combined for three goals and five assists in Game 2 alone, while Andrei Kuzmenko and Quinton Byfield scored in both games. Going back to the regular season, L.A. has scored 35 goals in its last seven games, with 13 on the power play.

If Edmonton is going to beat the Kings and get back into this series, it will likely need to do it with an offensive explosion. Fortunately, the Oilers are accustomed to doing that at Rogers Place, where they’re 25-13-3 on the season and have potted at least three goals in nine of their last 10 games."

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

🤖 Kings vs. Oilers Game 3 AI prediction

🎯 Score prediction: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT)

Here's why ChatGPT is picking the Oilers to win in overtime: 

"Edmonton will finally break through in a gutsy, high-octane game. McDavid and Draisaitl combine for three points, the Oilers’ power play scores, and the crowd fuels a late rally. The Kings will push back — likely with a goal from Kempe or Fiala — but Edmonton gets the OT winner on a rebound off a rush."

🧠 Stanley Cup predictions, expert picks 

🥅 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:

💵 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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Written By:
Gary Pearson
Gary Pearson has written professionally since 2010, focusing on sports betting since 2014. Before entering the sports betting space, he contributed to the Canadian Press, FanSided, the Hockey Writers, the Calgary Herald, and other publications. His work has also been featured in Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report. Gary, who consumes sports like a blue whale devours plankton, has a penchant for writing predictions and analyses across several sports, including hockey, soccer, football, tennis, and more. He bets regularly, preferring single-game picks, props, and live betting. While there isn't a sport he has yet to dabble in, Gary prefers betting on soccer, hockey, and football. He studied at various post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Griffith University, located in Brisbane, Australia. Gary has a marketing degree and completed his bachelor's degree in journalism at Griffith University. He feels strongly that life experience is as essential as post-secondary education, helping formulate more accurate predictions and analyses. Gary believes that competing at a high level of amateur sports during his formative years helped him better understand an athlete's psyche and the nuances and complexities of a team's dynamic, both on and off the playing surface. He feels that knowledge is immeasurably important when offering his analytical expertise. He has lived on five continents and currently resides in Canada.