NHL Playoffs Best Bets for May 6: Capitals Poised to Start Strong at Home
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Eric Kelly
- May 6, 2025
Top NHL Pick: Washington Capitals ML (+105) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
We have two new NHL playoff series starting tonight in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. Firstly, we have a matchup between Carolina and Washington in what’s set to be a feisty playoff series.
Our Western Conference matchup sees the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers go head-to-head in what’s set to be the best matchup of the second round.
Check out why we believe the Capitals are best priced to win this game as underdogs at top sportsbooks, and why the Oilers and Knights could be a low-scoring affair for Game One.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals
Tuesday, May 06, 2025 – 07:00 PM EDT at Capital One Arena
Difficult to Call
This really is an NHL game that is very difficult to call which way its going to go, one would have to assume the Capitals at home is the best bet, especially considering the sportsbooks have set them as home underdogs.
That being said, the Capitals might be 11-2 in their last 13 home games, and the Hurricanes might be 1-7 in their previous 8 road games, but the Hurricanes have had the Capitals’ number over the previous matchups with 8 wins in the previous 12 meetings between the sides.
Carolina & Washington Trends & Facts
- Washington is 11-2 in its last 13 games at home.
- The total has gone over in 4 of Washington’s last 6 games when playing at home against Carolina.
- Carolina is 1-7 in its last 8 games on the road.
- Carolina is 8-4 in its last 12 games against Washington.
The Pick
All said and done, it’s going to be hard to ignore the Washington Capitals as home underdogs here, despite being just about over plus money at NHL betting odds of +105, we would lay as low as -110 for the Capitals to win on home ice tonight.
Carolina’s road form has been atrocious lately, and yes, they are a tough team, but you would have to be a brave man to bet them as favorites during the first game of the series on the road against one of the best home teams in the NHL in the Washington Capitals.
NHL Pick: Washington Capitals ML (+105) at BetOnline
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Tuesday, May 06, 2025 – 09:30 PM EDT at T-Mobile Arena
Equipped To Win it All
Nobody expected the Edmonton Oilers to turn around a 2-0 series deficit against the L.A. Kings, but somehow and someway they managed to do just that, beating the Kings in game six. The Oilers face an even tougher matchup now against the Golden Knights.
The Vegas Golden Knights came through round one after defeating the Minnesota Wild 4-2 in the series. The Golden Knights started the series with a win but lost games two and three, meaning they also had to make a series comeback.
As usual, the Oilers’ main concern heading into the playoffs is their defense and goaltending. We all know they have no problem attacking with some of the best forward in the NHL, along with the best player in the league Connor McDavid. Along with this, they have a much better scoring depth heading into this playoffs than in previous seasons.
Edmonton & Vegas Trends & Facts
- The total has gone under in 4 of Edmonton’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Vegas.
- The total has gone under in 5 of Vegas’ last 6 games against an opponent in the Pacific Division.
- The total has gone under in 12 of Edmonton’s last 15 games on the road.
- Edmonton is 4-1 in its last 5 games.
The Pick
The Oilers play much better as underdogs and head into tonight’s game as road underdogs at +120 NHL betting odds, but for game one, we believe the best bet here is to lay the juice on the under 6.5 goals line.
This 6.5 line is high, despite these teams being more than capable of scoring goals. We feel game one is going to be tight, and we would happily lay as low as -140 to see under 6.5 goals in this matchup.
Only two of the previous 10 games between these teams have seen seven or more goals scored. Take the under here for game one, and if you’re leaning any team, the Oilers are the best moneyline bet at +120.
NHL Pick: Under 6.5 Goals (-130) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
