🏒 NHL Anytime Goal Scorer Predictions Today: Best Bets to Score for Friday, May 8

A red-hot Leo Carlsson headlines our NHL anytime goal scorer predictions today for Friday's playoff slate.
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) looks on as we provide our NHL anytime goal scorer predictions today.
Pictured: Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) looks on as we provide our NHL anytime goal scorer predictions today. Photo by Corinne Votaw via Imagn Images.
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Friday's two-game NHL playoff slate features Canadiens vs. Sabres and Golden Knights vs. Ducks as the second round rolls on.

My NHL anytime goal scorer predictions today target Leo Carlsson, Juraj Slafkovsky, and a player at better than +300 odds who scored for Buffalo in Game 1 against Montreal.


🏒 NHL anytime goal scorer predictions today: May 8

See all of our experts' NHL picks based on the latest NHL odds.; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

💰 Anytime Goal Scorer ⚖️ Bet size 🧠 Why I'm making this bet
Leo Carlsson, Ducks (+195 DraftKings) 0.2u -> 0.39u Among playoff leaders in expected goals and high-danger shots.
Juraj Slafkovsky, Canadiens (+215 via DraftKings) 0.2u -> 0.43u Averaging a high-danger shot per game in the postseason.
Josh Doan, Sabres (+330 via DraftKings) 0.2u -> 0.66u Consistently making the most of his minutes with scoring chances.

Total wagered: 0.6 units | Max profit: 1.48 units

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🥅 Best anytime goal scorer pick today

Leo Carlsson (+195) vs. Golden Knights

This postseason has been something of a showcase for Leo Carlsson, at least for much of the broader hockey world outside of Anaheim. The Swedish forward has scored four times, all in different games, and has been a steady offensive force for the Ducks throughout.

Carlsson leads the Ducks in expected goals and high-danger shots during the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck. DraftKings offers the top value on a Carlsson anytime goal on Friday at +195, but there's value up to +180.


🔥 More NHL goal scorer picks

Juraj Slafkovsky (+215) at Sabres

The pressure is ramping up for Juraj Slafkovsky after his seventh straight game without a goal, but the Canadiens forward has continued to show his ability and willingness to get to the netfront.

No player has more high-danger chances during the postseason than Slafkovsky - averaging a Grade A chance per game - while only the Wild's Matt Boldy has more expected goals.

I think that will result in a score sooner rather than later for Slafkovsky, so I'll be backing him on Friday at DraftKings' +215 odds.

Josh Doan (+330) vs. Canadiens

Josh Doan opened the scoring in Game 1 versus Montreal with a tap-in goal, the kind of play that's representative of how Doan has played all season for the Sabres.

Doan's expected goals in both the regular season and playoffs are right in line with his production on the score sheet. That shows that the son of NHL legend Shane Doan makes the most of both his skill set and ice time, consistently putting himself in great positions offensively.

The best sports betting sites are aligned at +330 odds on Doan scoring a goal in Game 2.


🚀 Best NHL goal scorer parlay

Combining all three of my goal scorer picks for Friday gives us +3896 odds at DraftKings, the best price among the best sports betting apps. The long odds demonstrate how difficult this will be to nail, so I'm only wagering 0.1 units on it.

💵 NHL goal scorer parlay picks

  • Leo Carlsson (+195)
  • Juraj Slafkovsky (+215)
  • Josh Doan (+330)

Best odds: +3896 via DraftKings (0.1u -> 3.9u)


💵 My betting record for NHL picks

All NHL picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since April 16.

Bet type Record Net profit ROI
Overall 16-14-2 +1.88 units ✅ 11.06% ✅
Goal scorer picks 7-14 -0.97 units ❌ -21.56% ❌

💡 How I'm betting NHL goal scorer picks today

Follow all of our NHL analysis and expert predictions this season.

I often base my picks on the underlying metrics, and my three picks for Friday have been some of the best players analytically in the playoffs among the four teams playing tonight.

Goal scorer picks can be difficult, as represented by their plus-money odds. It's important not to get carried away with your bet sizes. That's why I'm wagering my standard 0.2 units on each. Nailing two of three predictions would result in a profitable night, while winning all three would bring home nearly 1.5 units in profit. Bankroll management is crucial in sports betting, so be smart with yours.