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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Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Islanders Pick & Prediction JANUARY 19th 2024

The New York Islanders will try to salvage a victory from their four-game trip against Central Division foes when they meet the struggling Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. New York has lost four straight on the road overall. The Islanders’ most recent victory away from home was a 5-1 win at Arizona on Jan. 4. The club last lost four consecutive road games in regulation in November 2021, but defenseman Scott Mayfield believes the Islanders are
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Florida Panthers vs. Minnesota Wild Pick & Prediction JANUARY 19th 2024

Florida Panthers star Sam Reinhart has scored a special-teams goal in eight consecutive games — something no other NHL player has ever done. However, as hot as Reinhart is — and his 33 goals rank second in the league — the Panthers are in dire need of a win on Friday night when they end their five-game homestand against the Minnesota Wild. The Panthers have lost three straight games, although the past two setbacks came
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Carolina Hurricanes vs. Detroit Red Wings Pick & Prediction JANUARY 19th 2024

Since the calendar flipped, the Detroit Red Wings have been the standard of consistency, securing a point in all seven of their games, winning six while dropping one in overtime. After a solid start to the season, the Red Wings went through hiccups but have picked up momentum heading into their matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday in Raleigh, N.C., hoping to extend their win streak to four and points streak to eight. Detroit,
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Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens Pick & Prediction JANUARY 18th 2024

The new year has not been kind to the Ottawa Senators. However, they have been at their best of late when facing the Montreal Canadiens. On Thursday night, the reeling Senators eye a seventh straight victory over the visiting Canadiens, who will try for a season-high third consecutive win. Though Ottawa resides at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 30 points, it closed 2023 with three wins in four games. However, the Senators have
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Vancouver Canucks vs. Arizona Coyotes Pick & Prediction JANUARY 18th 2024

The Pacific Division-leading Vancouver Canucks return home to open a five-game homestand against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night. The Canucks concluded a seven-game road trip on Monday with a 4-3 shootout loss in Columbus. Vancouver has just one regulation loss in its last eight games (6-1-1) and is 7-2-1 over its past 10. “It’s been a hell of a (road) trip. There’s been a lot thrown at the guys, and you can tell they’re
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Vegas Golden Knights vs. New York Rangers Pick & Prediction JANUARY 18th 2024

On the heels of back-to-back wins over the Washington Capitals and Seattle Kraken, the New York Rangers begin a four-game road trip against the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night in Las Vegas. The Metropolitan Division-leading Rangers, who are 13-7-2 on the road, will also visit California for a weekend back-to-back against the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks before finishing the trip at San Jose on Tuesday. It’s part of
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Los Angeles Kings vs. Nashville Predators Pick & Prediction JANUARY 18th 2024

The Los Angeles Kings are hoping a return to familiar territory will help end their post-Christmas slide. The Kings have lost nine of their past 10 games heading into Thursday night’s matchup against the visiting Nashville Predators. The downturn for Los Angeles began with a 3-2 loss at the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 28, continued with three straight home losses and then followed the Kings on their six-game road trip, where they finished 1-3-2
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Washington Capitals vs. St. Louis Blues Pick & Prediction JANUARY 18th 2024

Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin has been working his way back from a minor lower-leg injury that caused him to miss three games. He could return Thursday night when the Capitals host the St. Louis Blues during the opening game of a home-and-home series. The teams will play again Saturday in St. Louis. Ovechkin was a game-time decision Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks, and Capitals coach Spencer Carbery held him out. Washington played a tight
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Philadelphia Flyers vs. Dallas Stars Pick & Prediction JANUARY 18th 2024

The surging Philadelphia Flyers will look for their fifth consecutive victory when they host the Dallas Stars on Thursday. In what was expected to be a rebuilding season, the Flyers have continued to play at a higher level than expected. Following a 3-2 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 10, the Flyers swept a three-game road trip with victories over the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues. Owen Tippett’s go-ahead goal

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
2024-11-06 19:07
Open
1P NASHVILLE PREDATORS
10 PICKS
1P WASHINGTON CAPITALS
NHL
2024-11-06 19:07
Open
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
10 PICKS
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
NHL
2024-11-06 20:07
Open
DETROIT RED WINGS
5 PICKS
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
NHL
2024-11-06 20:37
Open
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
12 PICKS
EDMONTON OILERS

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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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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