NHL Picks and Predictions

The NHL is one of the most popular sports for betting, but choosing the right teams and players to bet on can be challenging. Thankfully, Scores and Stats has a team of talented handicappers that are always putting their blood and sweat into NHL picks and predictions. 

Whether you’re a first time sports bettor, or an experienced sharp, these predictions and NHL expert picks are up for grabs.

Latest Picks and Predictions

Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers Picks and Predictions May 8th 2024

Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers Picks and Predictions May 8th 2024

Canucks Step into the Playoffs Ring as Dark Horses, Despite Owning the Oilers This Season So, despite totally acing the regular season and sweeping their matchups with the Edmonton Oilers, the Vancouver Canucks are somehow rolling into the Western Conference semis this Wednesday as the underdogs. Yeah, you heard that right—the underdogs! Canucks Digging the Underdog Vibe Rick Tocchet, the main man behind the Canucks’ bench, is all in on this underdog thing. “I love
Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins Picks and Predictions May 8th 2024

Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins Picks and Predictions May 8th 2024

Bruins Eye Crucial 2-0 Lead in Playoff Clash with Panthers The Boston Bruins are hitting the ice with some serious swagger, gearing up for Game 2 against the Florida Panthers in Sunny Sunrise, Florida. Fresh off a killer start to the playoffs and carrying all that regular-season mojo, the Bruins are pumped to snag that 2-0 series lead before heading home. Regular Season Dominance and Series Opener Triumph Talk about setting the bar high! The
New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes Picks and Predictions May 7th 2024

New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes Picks and Predictions May 7th 2024

Rangers vs. Hurricanes: How Special Teams are Shaping the Playoffs The face-off between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes is turning out to be a masterclass in playoff strategy, especially when it comes to special teams. These two NHL heavyweights are showing us what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object: The Rangers’ killer power play versus the Hurricanes’ top-notch penalty kill. Power Plays and Penalty Kills: Who’s Winning? During the
Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions May 7th 2024

Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions May 7th 2024

Stars face quick turnaround, take on Avs in Game 1 The Dallas Stars just kicked some serious butt against the reigning champs, the Vegas Golden Knights, and now they’re lining up to take on the Colorado Avalanche—who, by the way, grabbed the title themselves just a couple years back. This matchup is shaping up to be a real thriller in the Western Conference playoffs, showing off what both teams are best at after their killer
Maple Leafs vs Bruins May 2

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins Picks and Predictions May 2nd 2024

Rookies Stepping Up Big Time for Maple Leafs as They Gear Up for Do-or-Die Game 6 Against Bruins In what was a total edge-of-your-seat showdown during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ fresh faces were nothing short of spectacular. They’ve managed to flip the script, sending the squad back to home turf for a do-or-die Game 6 against the Boston Bruins this Thursday. Rookie Power on Full Display Just
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Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Canadiens Pick & Prediction APRIL 15th 2024

The Detroit Red Wings enter Monday night’s home game against the Montreal Canadiens with their playoff hopes fully alive after being on life support on Saturday. Playing at Toronto, the Red Wings needed at least one point to avoid being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. The situation got even more tense when a lethal Maple Leafs offense went on a power play with 2:45 remaining in regulation and the game tied at 4-4. But the
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Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche Pick & Prediction APRIL 14th 2024

The Colorado Avalanche will look to rebound from arguably their worst loss of their season when they visit the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday afternoon. With second place in the Central Division and home ice for the first round of the playoffs on the line, the Avalanche allowed four goals in the first period en route to a 7-0 shellacking by the visiting Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. Winnipeg (50-24-6, 106 points),
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St. Louis Blues vs. Seattle Kraken Pick & Prediction APRIL 14th 2024

The St. Louis Blues stayed in the Western Conference wild-card race until the final week of the regular season. But they were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs on Friday, so now they will be fully focused on building momentum for the future when they face the visiting Seattle Kraken on Sunday afternoon. The Blues (42-33-5, 89 points) hope to use this season’s strong finish as a springboard to better things in 2024-25. They have gone
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San Jose Sharks vs. Minnesota Wild Pick & Prediction APRIL 13th 2024

The San Jose Sharks will go for back-to-back wins for the first time since January when they face off against the visiting Minnesota Wild on Saturday night. San Jose (19-51-9, 47 points) is coming off a 3-1 win at the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night. Luke Kunin, Kyle Burroughs and Fabian Zetterlund each scored for the Sharks, and Devin Cooley stopped 49 of 50 shots to secure the victory. Meanwhile, Minnesota (37-33-9, 83 points) hopes

Free NHL Picks for Today

Looking to get a little inside information for your NHL betting? We’re handing out free NHL picks that you can use to make better wagers. These picks are a mix of handicapper selections and our computer/AI picks. 

NHL HOCKEY

How to Get Expert NHL Picks

If you want to get more detailed NHL picks, consider signing up for one of our membership tiers. 

Our Starter package starts at $9 per month and gives you access to loads of consensus data, odds updates, and picks from real handicappers as well as custom AI algorithm picks. 

At our Premium level, you have access to hundreds of picks each day across multiple sports, not just NHL. 

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Industry’s Best

Handicapping Membership

How to Choose an NHL Handicapper


When you’re looking for an NHL handicapper to follow for picks and predictions, here are some key considerations you should keep in mind:

Track Record of Success

Look for handicappers with a proven history of positive results, particularly over multiple seasons.

Consistency is key in sports betting, so it’s important to review their past performance, paying attention to both win percentage and return on investment (ROI).

Transparency

A good NHL handicapper will openly share their picks, results, and reasoning.

Avoid handicappers who do not provide a clear record of their wins and losses, as transparency builds trust and ensures they aren’t cherry-picking results.

Specialization in NHL

Many handicappers cover a wide range of sports, but it’s wise to follow one who specializes in the NHL.

A handicapper who focuses primarily on hockey is more likely to have a deep understanding of the league, its teams, and key betting nuances, which leads to more informed picks.

Analytical Approach

The best handicappers base their picks on data, advanced statistics, and situational analysis rather than relying on gut feelings or hype.

Look for someone who incorporates metrics like Corsi, expected goals, and goaltending stats to justify their selections.

Reputation and User Reviews

Check reviews and testimonials from other bettors to gauge a handicapper’s credibility and effectiveness.

If other followers consistently find value in their picks and praise their insights, it’s a good indicator that they are worth considering.

 

Our Best NHL Handicappers

To find our best NHL handicappers, you have to go to the Leaderboard page, accessible through the side menu. Using the table, filter by Hockey, NHL, and the timeframe to find which handicappers have had the most success betting on the NHL. 

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As you can see, Robert Ferguson has the highest win percentage in the top 10, while SAS Insider (our own computer picks) has made the most money. 

If you click on Ferguson’s profile, and sort through his list of picks, you’ll find the following stats:

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He has seen success only betting moneylines for NHL games, and he has a 67.50% win rate for straight wagers. 

If we do the same for the SAS Insider account, we’ll see the following:

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The win percentage for moneyline wagers here is lower than Ferguson’s, at 59.4%. However, both spread wagers were winners. 

That being said, if you’re looking to find a few NHL handicappers to follow, picking one that’s good at moneylines, and others that excel at spreads or totals can help diversify your betting portfolio. 

How Handicappers Find NHL Value

NHL handicappers focus on finding “value” in betting lines, which refers to identifying bets that have a higher probability of winning than the odds suggest. To do this, they rely on a combination of statistical analysis, deep knowledge of hockey, and an understanding of market dynamics. Here are some key strategies used by NHL handicappers to find value:

Analyzing Team Metrics

Handicappers dig into advanced stats like Corsi and Fenwick, which measure puck possession and shot attempts, giving a clearer picture of which team is likely controlling the game beyond simple goals and assists. Teams with better puck control often create more scoring chances, making them undervalued if the general betting public is unaware of these metrics. Other important team stats include expected goals (xG), penalty kill efficiency, and power play performance, all of which can signal an edge in specific matchups.

Accounting for Goaltending Performance

Goaltending is one of the most critical factors in hockey betting, but it can also be tricky to predict. Handicappers often look at stats like save percentage (SV%), goals saved above average (GSAA), and recent form to assess whether a goalie is performing above or below expectation. Injuries to starting goaltenders or changes in lineup can create betting opportunities when the market hasn’t fully adjusted to a new or backup goalie starting a game.

Spotting Market Inefficiencies

The NHL betting market can sometimes lag behind in adjusting to key factors like injuries, team form, or scheduling. For instance, teams on the second night of a back-to-back or playing a long road trip may be fatigued, making them more vulnerable than the odds reflect. Sharp NHL handicappers monitor these situations to find value when the market underestimates or overestimates a team’s chances of winning.

Line Movement and Public Betting

Understanding how the public and the sharps (professional bettors) are betting can give handicappers an edge. When the public heavily bets on a favorite, sportsbooks may adjust the line to balance their action, even if it doesn’t reflect the true odds. This creates value opportunities for the underdog. Following line movement and identifying reverse line movement—where sharp money moves against public betting trends—helps handicappers spot these inefficiencies.

Betting Against the Public

In NHL betting, like in other sports, fading the public is a common strategy. When the betting public strongly backs a team based on recent performance or big-name players, the odds can become skewed, often in favor of the favorite. Smart handicappers look for value by betting against the public, especially on underdogs, when the betting lines no longer accurately reflect a team’s true chances of winning.

NHL Consensus Picks

Using consensus data, which shows how the public is betting on a particular game, can help NHL handicappers identify value by understanding market dynamics. When a large majority of the public bets on one side (such as a popular team or heavy favorite), sportsbooks often adjust the lines to balance their risk. 

  • Sharp handicappers use this data to spot potential inefficiencies, such as inflated odds on favorites or undervalued underdogs. By analyzing consensus data alongside their own research, handicappers can capitalize on situations where public perception skews the betting lines, allowing them to make smarter, contrarian wagers with better long-term value.
  • Through partnerships with sportsbook, Scores and Stats is able to provide consensus data for NHL games, including number of wagers on totals, moneylines, and spreads. Plus, our data shows the total amount wagered, and identifies where the sharp money is. Our handicappers use this info to make more informed wagers, but you can also use it to make your own betting decisions. 
  • Access the consensus picks and other data in the Consensus tab of the menu. 

NHL Scores and Odds

Scores and Stats has a dedicated section for updated odds on NHL games. By using data provided by our sportsbook partners, we’re able to display the updated odds on matchups as well as the current scores for live games. 

You can access this data from any membership tier by clicking on the Scores and Odds tab in the menu. During the NHL season, expect to see stats for all major NHL games. 

Turn Pucks into Bucks with NHL Expert Picks

Take your NHL betting to the next level with expert picks from our handicappers. They use updated team metrics and in-depth player analysis to spot market inefficiencies. You can pick and choose which handicappers you want to follow based on their experience, amount won, or overall success rate. No matter if you’re betting moneylines or the puck line, there’s an NHL handicapper at Scores and Stats for you. 

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