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Stanley Cup Predictions & Odds Today: Best NHL Playoff Picks for Thursday, April 24

Gary Pearson

Last Updated: April 24, 2025 8:45 AM EDT • 4 min 50 sec read.

Stanley Cup Odds & AI Predictions Today: Best NHL Playoffs Picks for Thursday, April 24
Pictured: Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates after he scored a goal on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. Photo by Kim Klement Neitzel via Imagn Images

Another four-game docket headlines Thursday's playoff action as we provide the Stanley Cup odds and predictions today, offering expert picks for each contest.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets look to take commanding 3-0 series leads, while the Minnesota Wild hope to win Game 3 at home after their impressive road victory in Game 2. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning enter Game 2 of their series having been outscored 12-3 in the last two playoff games against the Florida Panthers, increasing the pressure on Andrei Vasilevskiy and the rest of the collective. 

🏆 Live Stanley Cup odds & prediction to win NHL playoffs

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

The Dallas Stars have a 2-1 series lead over the Colorado Avalanche despite leading for only 1:02 of game time. They found a way to overcome the Avalanche's pregame emotional high thanks to the return of their captain, Gabriel Landeskog, who played his first game in almost three years.  

The Stars not only tied the game in the third period on a power play but killed off a four-minute Avalanche man advantage at the end of regulation and into overtime. To make matters worse for the Avalanche, Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen's return to the lineup is imminent.  

While I still like the Avs as a contender, we'll quickly get an insightful look at their Cup pedigree in Game 4. Going back to Dallas down 1-3 would be an ominous prospect. 

💰 Best bet to win Stanley Cup: Colorado Avalanche (+1100 via DraftKings)

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🏒 NHL playoff predictions & best bets for today Thursday, April 24

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.

🚨 Panthers vs. Lightning prediction, odds & expert picks

📍 Puck drop: 6:30 p.m. ET | 📺 TV: TNT
📊 Odds: Panthers (+105) | Lightning (-125) | O/U 5.5
🎯 Score prediction: Lightning 4, Panthers 3

Here's why Gary Pearson is picking the Lightning to win: 

"I predicted a long series and am steadfast in that forecast.

For that to occur, the Lightning need to win Game 2. That desperation should come to the fore, and with Jon Cooper's adjustments, I expect the league's fourth-best during the regular season to level the series."

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

🤖 Panthers vs. Lightning AI prediction

🎯 Score prediction: Lightning 4, Panthers 2

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

"The Lightning find themselves in a familiar spot: facing early adversity in a playoff series. Game 1 was a wake-up call. Florida's 6–2 beatdown wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. The Panthers played with pace, physicality, and confidence, and they thoroughly outclassed Tampa Bay in almost every phase, especially on special teams.

But this Lightning core has been here before - battered, doubted, and cornered. And historically, that’s when they’re at their most dangerous."

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

📍 Puck drop: 7 p.m. ET | 📺 TV: ESPN2, CBC 
📊 Odds: Maple Leafs | Senators | O/U 5.5
🎯 Score prediction: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 2

Here's why Gary Pearson is picking the Senators to win:

"As much of a must-win without being an actual must-win, the Sens will be as desperate in Game 3 as a father racing against time to attend the birth of his son or daughter. I expect the Senators to relentlessly pressure the Maple Leafs from the opening puck drop, attempting to get the seventh man - the sold-out Canadian Tire Centre crowd - vociferously behind them. "

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

🤖 Maple Leafs vs. Senators AI prediction

🎯 Score prediction: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2

Here's why ChatGPT is picking the Maple Leafs to win: 

"The Senators will come out hard at home, energized by the crowd and desperate to avoid falling behind 3–0. Expect an aggressive first period with high shot volume. However, Toronto’s poise and playoff experience should settle the game down as it progresses. Look for a key third-period goal from the Leafs - possibly from Mitch Marner - to seal it.

If Ottawa wants a shot at climbing back into the series, Game 3 is a must-win. But with the Leafs playing tight, structured hockey and getting contributions up and down the lineup, it looks like Toronto might just tighten their grip on this series."

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

📍 Puck drop: 9 p.m. ET | 📺 TV: TBS
📊 Odds: Golden Knights (-150) | Wild (+125) | O/U 5.5
🎯 Score prediction: Coming soon!

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

🤖 Golden Knights vs. Wild AI prediction

🎯 Score prediction: Wild 3, Golden Knights 2

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

"Game 3 will be an intense, tightly contested battle, as both teams will come out with something to prove. Minnesota has the edge on home ice, and Kirill Kaprizov's ability to control the pace will be a deciding factor. The key for Minnesota will be to stay physical, manage their power play opportunities, and get consistent goaltending from Filip Gustavsson."

🚨 Jets vs. Blues prediction, odds & expert picks

📍 Puck drop: 9:30 p.m. ET | 📺 TV: ESPN2
📊 Odds: Jets (-120) | Blues (+100) | O/U 5.5
🎯 Score prediction: Coming soon!

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

🤖 Jets vs. Blues AI prediction

🎯 Score prediction: Blues 4, Jets 3 (OT)

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

"Given how tight the series has been, I expect this game to go into overtime. Both teams have had their fair share of scoring chances in each of the first two games, and this will be no different. Jordan Kyrou or Robert Thomas will likely have a game-winning goal opportunity in OT for St. Louis, but expect the Jets to make a strong push, potentially leading to a dramatic finish.

Ultimately, the Blues will emerge victorious in overtime, fueled by their home-ice advantage and a crucial performance from key players."

🧠 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.