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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Minnesota Wild vs. San Jose Sharks Pick & Prediction MARCH 3rd 2024

The Minnesota Wild will try to snap a three-game losing streak when they face off against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday evening in St. Paul, Minn. Minnesota is coming off a 3-1 loss on the road against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. That followed losses earlier in the week at home against the Carolina Hurricanes and on the road vs. the Nashville Predators. In the past three games, the Wild have been
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Buffalo Sabres vs. Winnipeg Jets Pick & Prediction MARCH 3rd 2024

Amid another lengthy run of success, the Winnipeg Jets have shown they can’t be kept down for long. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres might be amid a serious surge toward playoff position. Fresh off a remarkable comeback victory, the Jets will look for their sixth win in seven games on Sunday night when they host the Sabres. On Thursday, Winnipeg’s four-game winning streak ended with a rough 4-1 loss to the Central Division rival Dallas Stars.
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Los Angeles Kings vs. New Jersey Devils Pick & Prediction MARCH 3rd 2024

While the Los Angeles Kings are occupying a wild-card spot in the Western Conference, the New Jersey Devils may be in danger of slipping further away in the Eastern Conference’s wild-card race. Coming off one of its best wins in 11 games under new coach Jim Hiller, Los Angeles hopes to keep piling up points Sunday afternoon when it hosts the inconsistent Devils. Los Angeles is 7-4-0 since Hiller took over on an interim basis
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Washington Capitals vs. Arizona Coyotes Pick & Prediction MARCH 3rd 2024

For the first time in over a month, things are starting to look up for the Arizona Coyotes. When Arizona faces the host Washington Capitals on Sunday afternoon, it will be doing something it hasn’t had the chance to do since late January — win back-to-back games. After losing 14 straight games and going 0-9-2 in February, the Coyotes picked up a 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Friday night, halting a dismal skid
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Philadelphia Flyers vs. Ottawa Senators Pick & Prediction MARCH 2nd 2024

The Philadelphia Flyers are hanging onto a playoff position, but that grasp is tenuous as they return home to face the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night. The Flyers sit third in the Metropolitan Division, but thanks to a 5-2 road loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday, their buffer has been cut. The Capitals are four points in arrears but have two games in hand. Philadelphia has lost three of four games and has claimed
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Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens Pick & Prediction MARCH 2nd 2024

According to Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper, his squad was dealt a tough hand in a very rare, late, home loss Thursday, but the Lightning have a chance at redemption when the Montreal Canadiens arrive on the Gulf Coast for Saturday night’s match. Cooper may have a point. After the Buffalo Sabres’ Tage Thompson tied it at 2 with a third-period power-play goal, the 6-foot-6 center drew a hooking call in overtime that set up
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Buffalo Sabres vs. Vegas Golden Knights Pick & Prediction MARCH 2nd 2024

Clinging to a one-point lead for second-place in the Pacific Division over red-hot Edmonton, the Vegas Golden Knights continue what has been a bumpy five-game eastern road trip Saturday at the Buffalo Sabres. The defending Stanley Cup champions, who shot out of the gate with a 11-0-1 record, find themselves in a battle for first-round home ice and sit just three points ahead of wild-card teams Los Angeles and Nashville. The Golden Knights have lost
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Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche Pick & Prediction MARCH 2nd 2024

The Nashville Predators are playing their best hockey of the season. Meanwhile, Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon continues to show why he might be the NHL’s best player. Looking to cool off MacKinnon, the surging Predators aim for an eighth straight win on Saturday against the visiting Avalanche. Nashville closed February on a seven-game winning streak, during which it outscored opponents 32-12, scored at least four goals in every contest and killed 17-of-21 opposing power-play chances. On
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Detroit Red Wings vs. Florida Panthers Pick & Prediction MARCH 2nd 2024

The important number for the Florida Panthers in their last outing was 40. As in, the Panthers collected their 40th victory of the season and Sam Reinhart reached — and eclipsed — the 40-goal mark. When they visit Detroit on Saturday afternoon, the number they’ll be chasing is four. Florida will aim for their fourth consecutive victory overall and 14th in the last 16 games. The Panthers’ last five games have been decided by one

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
NHL
2024-11-07 19:07
Open
MONTREAL CANADIENS
5 PICKS
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
NHL
2024-11-07 19:37
Open
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
4 PICKS
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
NHL
2024-11-07 20:07
Open
UTAH HOCKEY CLUB
4 PICKS
ST. LOUIS BLUES
NHL
2024-11-07 22:37
Open
MINNESOTA WILD
5 PICKS
SAN JOSE SHARKS

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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