NHL Anytime Goal Scorer Picks, Odds, Predictions for Saturday, May 16, 2026

By Kody Malstrom | Jul 23, 2026, 12:11pm

Even though there is only one game taking place on Saturday night, there are still plenty of Anytime Goal Scorer props to wager on, including a bet on Alex Tuch and Cole Caufield with an in-depth breakdown of their highly anticipated contest below. Be sure to check out our daily NHL betting trends page too for insights and data on each matchup.

Saturday’s Anytime Goal Scorer Picks

Alex Tuch
Jason Zucker
Cole Caufield

Alex Tuch Anytime Goal Scorer

While Tage Thompson has hogged the spotlight, Alex Tuch has quietly been productive in regard to his efficiency, averaging 0.30 Expected Goals per game. Their combined production has helped turn the Buffalo Sabres front line into a competitive unit, leading a group who ranks above league average in Expected Goals For in All Situations and in 5-on-5 Play.

Heading into Saturday night’s contest against the Montreal Canadiens, expect Tuch to continue to pressure the net at a high rate by taking advantage of a back line who resides near the bottom of the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Even with Jakub Dobes playing at a high level, the Sabres versatility will force the Canadiens goalie to make quick cuts across the ice for the full duration of the contest, creating larger gaps beside him for Tuch to exploit.

Jason Zucker Anytime Goal Scorer

After failing to score a goal in his first ten games in the playoffs, Jason Zucker was finally able to find the back of the net in game five against Montreal, netting one Goal on two shot attempts. A performance that has resembled what Zucker was able to do throughout the regular season, entering the postseason averaging 0.35 Expected Goals and 2.06 Shots on Goal per game.

With Thompson and Tuch pulling defensive attention away from him, Zucker will be able to pressure the net at a higher rate while countering the single coverage he receives, increasing his chances of scoring. When stretched out in coverage, there will be fewer bodies in the middle to wall off Zucker’s shot attempts, improving the probability he is able to turn his pucks on net into Shots on Goal.

Cole Caufield Anytime Goal Scorer

On the other side of the ice, Cole Caufield has arguably been the most efficient scorer in the series, rivaling Thompson in Expected Goals with an average of 0.42 per game while scoring a Goal in each of his last three starts. With Montreal’s front line running through Caufield, the Canadiens have been able to round back into competitive form, climbing into the top-10 in Expected Goals For in All Situations.

In a favorable matchup against the Sabres, expect Caufield to build on his red hot momentum by relentlessly attacking a back line who ranks near dead last in Expected Goals Against From High Danger Shots. For some more exposure, escalator bet Caufield’s Anytime Goal Scorer prop by placing smaller wagers on his alternate totals at the best available odds across multiple sportsbooks.

Photo Credit: AP/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Kody Malstrom

Kody is a professional sports bettor and sports betting journalist with eight years of experience in the industry. He covers a wide range of sports, including NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NCAAB, NHL, MLB, and UFC. What started as a side gig has turned into a full time job, spending a majority of his time staring at odds screens and market movement. When away from the computer, Kody enjoys spending his time outdoors relaxing at the beach or golfing with friends.