ESPN and BBC Sport feature NHL playoff betting Thursday with the Buffalo Sabres hosting the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. ET, where the model favors Montreal at +102 odds. The Canadiens' 3-1 road record in the playoffs, including a Game 7 win in Tampa Bay, and their 3-1 road record in the postseason highlight their ability to thrive on the road, making plus-money odds attractive for informed bettors. The model projects Montreal to win in 56% of simulations, creating strong value at plus-money odds.

The Buffalo Ducks face elimination in six games but host the Vegas Golden Knights, with their 24 home wins ranking third in the Western Conference. The model projects a Ducks win in 54% of simulations, leveraging their home dominance and recent 4-3 Game 4 victory over Vegas, while Vegas' 19-22 road record suggests vulnerability in hostile environments. The model favors the Ducks in 54% of simulations, making them a strong play on the money line at -108 odds.

The Red Sox face the Philadelphia Phillies at -104 odds, with Ranger Suarez starting after a 1.17 ERA over his last five starts, having allowed no runs over 12 innings in his last two outings. His performance against Philadelphia's Jesus Luzardo, who posted a 5.98 ERA and allowed six runs in his last start against the Rockies, creates a favorable matchup for Boston, with the model projecting a 61% win probability for Boston at -104 odds.