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

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St. Louis vs. Carolina Pick & Prediction APRIL 12th 2024

The Carolina Hurricanes look to keep the good times rolling when they visit the St. Louis Blues on Friday. The Hurricanes (50-22-7, 107 points) are 14-3-1 since March 7 and have won five of their past six, including a three-game winning streak heading into the contest against the Blues. They’re coming off a 4-1 win against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday and have outscored the opposition 19-7 in their past six games. Four of those
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Buffalo Sabres vs. Washington Capitals Pick & Prediction APRIL 11th 2024

The Washington Capitals continue what they hope will be a sprint to the playoffs when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. Washington (37-30-11, 85 points) holds the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins each have 84 points. All three teams have four games remaining and Detroit plays Pittsburgh on Thursday, guaranteeing one of them two points. If Washington wins out,
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Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New Jersey Devils Pick & Prediction APRIL 11th 2024

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews will continue his pursuit of history Thursday night in a rematch against the visiting New Jersey Devils. Matthews scored his 66th goal in Toronto’s 5-2 road victory over the Devils on Tuesday. Matthews, who extended his goal streak to six games (seven goals), passed Alex Ovechkin (65 goals in 2007-08) for the most goals in a season by an active player. “It’s cool (to pass Ovechkin). He’s obviously who
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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings Pick & Prediction APRIL 11th 2024

The calendar says the Stanley Cup playoffs haven’t started yet, but the standings indicate that the game Thursday between the Pittsburgh Penguins and visiting Detroit Red Wings might as well be a postseason affair. The Penguins (36-30-12) and Red Wings (38-32-8) are tied with 84 points each, one point out of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, and each has four games remaining. “(Detroit) is a team that we’re directly fighting with, so
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New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers Pick & Prediction APRIL 11th 2024

Not only were the New York Rangers unable to clinch the Metropolitan Division title Tuesday night, but they also emerged from a rough performance against the New York Islanders slightly less healthy. The Rangers cannot clinch the division title Thursday night but are hoping forward Mika Zibanejad will be available when they host the floundering Philadelphia Flyers. New York (53-22-4) holds a three-point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in the division after Tuesday, when the
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Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Pick & Prediction APRIL 11th 2024

The Florida Panthers are playing what can be considered the “soft” part of their remaining schedule before the season ends with a bang next week. On Thursday night, the Panthers — currently the second seed in the Atlantic Division — will play host to the out-of-contention Columbus Blue Jackets in Sunrise, Fla. This soft stretch also includes Buffalo, which is on tap for Saturday. But then the Panthers will end their regular season with a
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St. Louis vs. Chicago Pick & Prediction APRIL 10th 2024

The St. Louis Blues earned just three of a possible six points out of their recent three-game road trip, which pushed them to the brink of elimination from a playoff berth. Given his team’s math problem, Blues coach Drew Bannister has been giving younger players more responsibility during the closing games of the season. That process will continue when the Blues (41-32-5, 87 points) host the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. Rookie winger Zack Bolduc scored
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New Jersey Devils vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Pick & Prediction APRIL 9th 2024

The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to solidify their playoff position when they face the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night in Newark, N.J. Toronto (45-23-9, 99 points) trails the Florida Panthers by three points for second place in the Atlantic Division, though the Maple Leafs have a game in hand. The Leafs lead the Tampa Bay Lightning by six points for third place. On Monday, Jake McCabe scored 1:30 into overtime to lift the
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San Jose Sharks vs. Calgary Flames Pick & Prediction APRIL 9th 2024

The effort has been there for the Calgary Flames. The results have not. Having already been eliminated from Stanley Cup playoff contention, the Flames will be playing for pride the rest of the season. They will look to snap a three-game skid when they kick off a three-game trip through California on Tuesday with a contest against the San Jose Sharks. The Flames (34-37-5, 73 points) are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Edmonton

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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