The NHL playoffs are upon us, and sports betting enthusiasts are gearing up for some exciting wagering opportunities. The top contenders for the Conn Smythe Trophy include Connor Hellebuyck, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid, but some underdogs like Nikita Kucherov and Alex Ovechkin are also worth a look for value bets. The Winnipeg Jets, despite their Presidents' Trophy win, have been marked as a risky choice for a deep playoff run due to inconsistent performance. In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning are favorites, while the Toronto Maple Leafs, long seen as playoff underachievers, may finally have a favorable path. The Western Conference is headlined by the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche, with the Stars positioned as strong contenders because of their impressive lineup.

Connor McDavid has reached a remarkable milestone, recording his eighth 100-point season in the NHL, leading the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks. McDavid's assist in the game contributed to this achievement, placing him among the elite company of NHL legends like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

Ty Emberson scored a goal and an assist for the Oilers, who finished strong with four wins in their last five games. Stuart Skinner was solid in goal, stopping 18 shots to secure the shutout, while the Sharks ended their season on a dismal note, losing their final 11 games.

In their final game of the regular season, the Edmonton Oilers secured a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks, completing a four-game sweep. Ty Emberson led the charge with a goal and an assist, while goaltender Stuart Skinner made 18 saves for the shutout. Connor McDavid achieved a significant milestone, reaching 100 points for the fifth consecutive season and the eighth time overall, joining an elite group alongside legends like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

Emberson opened the scoring early in the first period, followed by goals from Max Jones and Corey Perry, the latter sealing the game with an empty-netter. The Sharks continue to struggle, marking their 11th consecutive loss. This game also gave San Jose a chance to honor former captain Logan Couture with a tribute as he announced his retirement. As the Oilers head into the playoffs, they face the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round, while the Sharks prepare for the draft lottery with the best odds for the first overall pick.

As the 2024-25 NHL season approaches its conclusion, fantasy hockey managers are already eyeing potential first-round selections for the upcoming 2025-26 draft. High-profile players like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon remain top choices despite injury concerns and fluctuating performance. McDavid, a perennial point leader, is expected to continue his dominance, while MacKinnon's impressive assist totals make him a strong candidate for a significant bounce-back year.

Leon Draisaitl and Nikita Kucherov are also poised to make waves, with their consistent point production keeping them in the first-round conversation. Draisaitl's versatility adds to his appeal, while Kucherov's three-season health streak boosts his stock significantly. Other notable mentions include Auston Matthews, who may provide excellent value if he falls in drafts, and Cale Makar, who remains the top defenseman due to his scoring ability and all-around game.

EA Sports has unveiled the second wave of its Team of the Season (TOTS) lineup for NHL 2024-25, highlighting several elite players. Noteworthy additions include Logan Thompson (G) from the Washington Capitals, Adam Fox (D) of the New York Rangers, and Connor McDavid (C) of the Edmonton Oilers, each boasting a 94 OVR rating. Connor and McDavid represent their teams for a second time, alongside Connor Hellebuyck and Leon Draisaitl, establishing the Jets and Oilers as leading franchises in TOTS representation.

In addition to TOTS, EA Sports has introduced rookie ratings for several emerging talents, including Ryan Leonard (80 OVR) from the Capitals and Gabe Perreault (79 OVR) from the Rangers. The anticipation builds as fans await the third wave reveal, which might further elevate the Jets or Oilers to the top tier.