NHL Best Bets Today, 4/14: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Monday
Welcome to our expert NHL Best Bets today!
It's the final few days of the NHL regular season and the final few spots in the Stanley Cup Playoffs are still up for grabs!
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 4/14
Let's end the season on a high note and jump into our NHL best bets today with a player making his NHL debut tonight.
Blackhawks vs. Canadiens Prediction: Monday, April 14th
The Montreal Canadiens have signed one of their top prospects, Ivan Demidov, so let's have some fun to start out our NHL best bets today, shall we? The Habs need to win in order to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and a bit of help has arrived.
Demidov was the 5th overall pick last season and posted 19 goals and 49 total points in the KHL this season. He's set to make his NHL debut tonight, and it's a juicy landing spot against the lowly Chicago Blackhawks.
Of course, the Blackhawks have been terrible this season with 3.05 Goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-worst in the league. Demidov should bring the scoring punch the Habs need and there's no better time to grab your first NHL goal than the game that will help your team clinch a playoff spot.
- Expert Blackhawks vs. Canadiens Picks:
- Ivan Demidov To Score a Goal (+230 on FanDuel)
Stars vs. Red Wings Prediction: Monday, April 14th
The Dallas Stars look terrible. There's really no other way to put it when you've lost the last five games and are supposed to be a favorite to win the Stanley Cup.
Not only have they lost five straight games, but three of those games have been to non-playoff teams. Enough is enough for the Stars and it's time for them to right the ship and get back on track. That means slowing the game down and keeping things in control, not these insane high-scoring games we've seen from them in recent outings.
Luckily for them, and for our NHL best bets today, it's a good matchup since the Red Wings have only scored 2.21 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations since the start of April, which is the 10th lowest in the league. Both teams are also in the top half of the league since the start of April in those same situations for the fewest goals allowed.
While the Stars have been all over the place defensively, this is the type of matchup they should be able to control and keep things close. Simply put: be the Stanley Cup favorite you are expected to be.
- Expert Stars vs. Red Wings Picks:
- Game Total Under 6.5 (-130 on FanDuel)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 4/14
- Dylan Guenther Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-144 on FanDuel)
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.