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Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53). Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Stanley Cup picks: Anytime goal scorer best bets and predictions for Thu. 5/9

Originally posted on Action Network | By Tony Sartori | Last updated 5/9/24

Check out Tony Sartori's NHL picks with anytime goalscorer best bets for Thursday, May 9.

NHL games tonight include two pivotal matchups as the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs continues. I have two NHL anytime goalscorer picks for today's doubleheader with Rangers vs. Hurricanes Game 3 (7 p.m. ET) and Avalanche vs. Stars Game 2 (9:30 p.m. ET).

Betting on NHL anytime goalscorers is simple enough: If your player scores a goal at any point in the game, your bet is a winner. MLB has its dingers; the NHL has its anytime goalscorers. And with both types of player props, the bets usually come with plus-money odds attached to them, so they're a favorite among all types of sports bettors.

Check out all of the analysis with my favorite anytime goalscorer predictions for tonight's NHL postseason action below.

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Rangers vs. Hurricanes

Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m. ET, TNT & truTV
Seth Jarvis (+250, FanDuel)

Game 3 of this second-round series between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers kicks off Thursday's NHL doubleheader. Despite playing a better brand of hockey through the first two games, Carolina finds itself down 2-0 in the series.

However, I always like to say that "a series doesn't start until a road team wins," and I think the Canes will rebound well over the next two outings at PNC Arena. If the Hurricanes are to see an increase in product, then I find it hard to believe that forward Seth Jarvis will not play a crucial role.

Jarvis has now scored four goals over his past six games in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, including one in Game 1 of this series against goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Carolina's forward has carried over the momentum of a great end to the regular season into this tournament, scoring 17 goals in his past 23 games.

Six of those goals came on the power play, which is important to note against a New York team that finished the regular season ranked in the bottom half of the league in penalty minutes taken per game. We saw this trend play out in Game 2 as the Rangers gave up five power plays.

Jarvis and the Canes went 0-5 on those man-advantages, something I don't see happening in back-to-back games.

Pick: Seth Jarvis (+250 at FanDuel)

Avalanche vs. Stars

Thursday, May 9, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT & truTV
Wyatt Johnston (+175, FanDuel)

The second contest of Thursday's doubleheader features the Dallas Stars hosting the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of this Western Conference series. Dallas forward Wyatt Johnston scored in Game 1, and we are going right back to the well in Game 2.

Johnston has undoubtedly been the best offensive player for the Stars this postseason, leading the team in virtually every category across the board, whether it be goals, shots on goal, scoring chances or expected goals per 60 minutes. In fact, he ranks eighth among all playoff skaters in that last category.

This brings us to the Avalanche, whose weakness is defensive play. In the regular season, Colorado ranked in the bottom half of the league in goals allowed per game, a trend that has continued into the postseason as well.

Backing up this team is goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. While he made some timely saves in Game 1, Georgiev still allowed three goals on just 22 shots for a mere .864 SV%.

At +175 odds, it is worth taking a shot on Johnston to score for the sixth time in seven games.