Less than 10 games remain for every NHL team in the 2025-26 campaign, and the playoff race is really heating up. In the Eastern Conference, only three points separate the final Wild Card team, the Blue Jackets (88 points), from the four teams chasing them. Out in the Western Conference, the Kings (78 points) moved into the Wild Card with last night's 2-1 overtime win against the Blues, but three or fewer points separate them from the next four teams out.
We should see some movement in the standings following tonight's massive 14-game slate on the ice. I've got you covered if you're looking to make things more interesting and get some skin in the game. Let's dive into my top NHL bets tonight, April 2nd, 2026.
Thursday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Pittsburgh Penguins (+142) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (-170) | O/U 6.5 (-110/-110)
Both the Penguins (38-21-16) and the Lightning (46-22-6) enter the night in second place in their respective divisions. This Eastern Conference showdown is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL.
The Penguins have been playing some run-and-gun hockey over the last month, seeing 12 of their last 14 games go over the total. Pittsburgh is a perfect 7-0 to the Over in their last seven road games. Tampa Bay is 6-3 to the Over in its last nine games, and the Over has cashed in four of the last six head-to-head meetings between the teams.
There's a ton of star power on the ice in this matchup, so I'm not going to overthink this one; give me the Over. Neither defense has been able to keep the puck out of its net recently. Over the last 10 games, the Bolts are 14th in team GAA (2.88), while the Pens are 29th (3.81). This game also features a couple of top-half power-play groups, as well as a pair of top-seven offenses in terms of goals per 60 minutes (each 3.4 G/60+). Let's take the Over.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (-110)
Buffalo Sabres (+100) vs. Ottawa Senators (-120) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-120)
The Sabres (46-21-8) are currently tied with the Hurricanes atop the Eastern Conference with 100 points, and they'll look to clinch a playoff spot tonight when they take on the Senators (38-26-10) in an Atlantic Division battle. Ottawa is two points out of the Wild Card with a game in hand on Columbus. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON.
The Senators have lost three straight games, allowing 14 goals across the three-game sample size. Now they'll welcome in a Sabres squad that has been dominating offensively this season, ranking sixth in goals per 60 minutes (3.41) and fifth in shooting percentage (12.2%). Ottawa continuously fails to get key saves, as they're 31st in team save percentage (.873) this season. Only Vancouver (.872) is worse.
Buffalo has also dominated this series in recent history, winning the last six meetings. They've developed into an absolute wagon, and are currently enjoying a 35-7-4 run in their last 46 games. Now they're offering us an even-money payout to say that this train keeps rolling? Sign me up. Let's back the Sabres to out-pace the sliding Senators.
Pick: Buffalo Sabres Moneyline (+100)
Chicago Blackhawks (+200) vs. Edmonton Oilers (-245) | O/U 6.5 (-112/-108)
The Pacific Division is looking like a two-horse race at this point, and the Oilers (38-28-9) can narrow their two-point deficit on the division-leading Ducks with a victory over the lowly Blackhawks (27-34-14) tonight. This game is slated for 9:00 p.m. ET from Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB.
I can easily see both of these offenses finding success tonight. The Blackhawks have seen their last five games go over the number, with four of those contests combining for 7+ goals. They have enough skill to take advantage of the Oilers' questionable defense and goaltending. Edmonton comes into the night ranked 16th in GAA (2.96) and 15th in save percentage (.888) over the last 10 games. The Oilers are also still just 24th on the penalty kill (77.67%) this season.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks continue to play on their heels. Over the last 10 games, they're 31st in Corsi percentage (42.1%), while having allowed the most high-danger shots on goal (53) during the stretch. Overall this season, Chicago is just 25th in team GAA (3.19). Now they're tasked with trying to slow down Connor McDavid (43 goals, 82 assists) and the high-octane Oilers. Look for both offenses to excel in this spot. Let's take the Over.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (-112)
