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

21837736

Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks Pick & Prediction APRIL 13th 2024

After clinching home ice for at least their first-round series in the playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers turn their sights on trying to finish in first place in the Pacific Division when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. Edmonton (48-24-6, 102 points) trails Vancouver (48-22-9, 105 points) by three points entering the showdown but still has one game in hand on the Canucks. The Oilers once again will be without reigning Hart Trophy recipient
23012585

Nashville Predators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Pick & Prediction APRIL 13th 2024

The Nashville Predators will look to create more breathing room in the Western Conference wild-card race when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night. The Predators (46-29-5, 97 points) hold a three-point edge over the Vegas Golden Knights for the top wild-card spot. Nashville had lost five of its previous seven games before a 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. Filip Forsberg recorded his 10th career hat trick, and Luke Evangelista
23003397

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins Pick & Prediction APRIL 13th 2024

The Pittsburgh Penguins are on some kind of roll yet are guaranteed nothing as they get ready to host one of the top teams in the NHL on Saturday, the Boston Bruins. Seemingly out of the hunt for a playoff spot late last month, the Penguins (37-30-12) have stacked together a 10-game points streak (7-0-3). Thursday, they beat Detroit 6-5 in overtime to move into the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. That means
22957275

Dallas Stars vs. Seattle Kraken Pick & Prediction APRIL 13th 2024

The Dallas Stars have already clinched a playoff berth, while the Seattle Kraken have already been eliminated. But there’s still plenty on the line when Dallas hosts Seattle on Saturday afternoon. The Stars (50-21-9, 109 points) enter the weekend one point behind the New York Rangers for the Presidents’ Trophy, which goes to the team with the best regular-season record and includes home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. The Stars also have yet to clinch the
23003527

Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets Pick & Prediction APRIL 13th 2024

After 79 games, the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche are tied in the standings and are playing for home-ice advantage in the first round. Winnipeg (49-24-6, 104 points) and Colorado (49-24-6, 104 points) will face off Saturday afternoon in Denver. The winner of Saturday’s clash will grab control of second place in the Central Division and home ice in the likely first-round matchup between the teams. If the Jets prevail — as they have in
23003964

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings Pick & Prediction APRIL 13th 2024

The Detroit Red Wings’ push for the playoffs has been slowed to a crawl after the team dropped seven of their past nine games (2-4-3). The Red Wings (38-32-9, 85 points) will look for a reversal of fortune on Saturday night when they visit Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs (46-24-9, 101 points). Detroit’s latest setback was a 6-5 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. That additional point secured by Pittsburgh represents
23003172

Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils Pick & Prediction APRIL 13th 2024

Two days after allowing nine goals, the Philadelphia Flyers ended their ugly eight-game losing streak (0-6-2) and lived to see another day in the playoff chase for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia’s next chance at improving its position for the playoffs occurs Saturday when it hosts the New Jersey Devils. The Flyers (37-32-11, 85 points) are one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final wild-card spot and share the same
22588916

Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick & Prediction APRIL 13th 2024

Time is running out for the Washington Capitals, whose weekend plans will include some scoreboard watching. The Eastern Conference’s No. 2 wild-card holder as Thursday night’s games began, the Capitals (37-31-11, 85 points) could not top the Buffalo Sabres and fell out of the final postseason spot in a 4-2 loss. They desperately need two points Saturday when the Tampa Bay Lightning come to the nation’s capital. “Especially early on, I thought we did a
22986435

New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders Pick & Prediction APRIL 13th 2024

The New York Rangers and New York Islanders may get together in a first-round playoff series for their first postseason encounter since 1994. But it might not happen the way the Rangers envisioned, especially if Saturday afternoon’s visit from the Islanders winds up becoming a third straight loss. The Rangers (53-23-4, 110 points) head into their penultimate game still ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes atop the Metropolitan Division. They held a five-point lead going into

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. 

sas logo

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. 

AD 4nXegsymFKSsmvW2mpMShS7pJSdurvVn85xB54wqv5R5Z1j9OVdn2reNyeFEQri6AaDzC rvtqEc4egVX4EnUzeeqoWxb9Uzc5s6i9cJtKbEJB48w6Gyg4n4amNTS3ER8anP0PPTm8eR9FZJDUROqMpRqDG9g?key=z wTSo8dwdPR nMaotTbuQ

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:

AD 4nXcstFP 15nivhhcTBEkQa8soA98MtnhfwMQE7P yC4pMSTQWlpYzWoE4fEBEwWPXiTdmvqpLAv0t7uhF8nJYr1weOVxd1Sh20X7ktIM 8a5ncUFH R8sccmAsEY1k4MHizkK3RF5G3KsnwEiWFg8kxD4sYA?key=z wTSo8dwdPR nMaotTbuQ

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:

AD 4nXdpDtJ2IUOfXhZXWXwWEuWSlI44QaL0xfUwY pqwpU8j1wryHByhhEyZYTcHebHGivvRtivvrH13arYCPHbqhmZwpgN0bwopB3qzKX3yTT tgNOrhHzH IqVoYDP7tgRRyVq1IsCe3P 80NXl9KHhXthluV?key=z wTSo8dwdPR nMaotTbuQ

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. 

WinningCappers, The most trusted name in sports handicapping