Two of the NHL’s standout players will take the spotlight on Tuesday with the start of two second-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Alex Ovechkin and his team, the Washington Capitals, will challenge the Carolina Hurricanes, while Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers face off against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Ovechkin, now the all-time scoring leader, played a crucial role in the Capitals’ earlier victory over the Montreal Canadiens, marking the team’s first playoff series win since they triumphed over the Golden Knights in the 2018 Cup Final. This season, the Capitals and Hurricanes had an evenly matched regular season series, each team taking their home games. In contrast, the Hurricanes previously eliminated the Capitals in the playoffs three years ago.

McDavid is also looking to make an impact. After earning the Conn Smythe Trophy last postseason, he once again registered impressive points to help the Oilers defeat the Los Angeles Kings in the first round. The Oilers and Golden Knights faced each other last season, splitting their matches.

Best Bets:

• Alex Ovechkin, Capitals - Anytime goal scorer (+135, FanDuel): Ovechkin has scored in 10 of his last 14 games, including crucial goals against Montreal. His next goal will elevate him past Mario Lemieux on the all-time playoff scoring list.

• Leon Draisaitl, Oilers - Anytime goal scorer (+130, DraftKings): Draisaitl achieved his 50-goal milestone last season, scoring against both the Kings and the Golden Knights.

• Evan Bouchard, Oilers - 1+ assist (+110, DraftKings): Despite a streak without assists, Bouchard’s assist potential remains high as he continues to contribute.

• Connor McDavid, Oilers - 2+ assists (+190, DraftKings): McDavid’s ability to provide multi-assist performances makes him a strong candidate for this bet, building on his playoff track record.

Follow through with the SportsLine Projection Model’s insights for comprehensive predictions on every Stanley Cup Playoff game!