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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Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils Pick & Prediction JANUARY 11th 2024

The high-scoring New Jersey Devils have been playing well and also received some good news on the injury to star center Jack Hughes. Winners of five of their past seven matches (5-2-0) but idle since Saturday’s 6-4 home loss against the Vancouver Canucks, the Devils will play at the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night in the teams’ first meeting of the season. They will do so without the dynamic Hughes, who was felled Friday with
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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Vancouver Canucks Pick & Prediction JANUARY 11th 2024

The Vancouver Canucks, in the midst of their longest road trip this season, go to Pittsburgh on Thursday to face the Penguins in what will be their third game in four nights. The busy schedule certainly doesn’t seem to daunt the Canucks. They are 3-1 on the seven-game jaunt and are coming off wins on back-to-back nights against the Rangers and Islanders, following a win Saturday over New Jersey in the same large metropolitan area.
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Carolina Hurricanes vs. Anaheim Ducks Pick & Prediction JANUARY 11th 2024

The Carolina Hurricanes will be back in action Thursday night after a four-day layoff, out to maintain many of the good vibes that have developed the past few weeks. The opponent in the home game at Raleigh, N.C., will be the Anaheim Ducks, who are in the midst of a roster adjustment. “I think the guys needed a little breather,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We were in a pretty good rhythm, so that’s the
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Florida Panthers vs. Los Angeles Kings Pick & Prediction JANUARY 11th 2024

There is no hotter team in the NHL than the Florida Panthers, who have won eight straight games. It’s the third-longest winning streak in franchise history. Meanwhile, not yet halfway through the season, the Los Angeles Kings — who are set to visit the Panthers Thursday in Sunrise, Fla. — have already experienced record highs and deflating lows. On Dec. 7, the Kings set an NHL record with their 11th consecutive road win to start
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Detroit Red Wings vs. Edmonton Oilers Pick & Prediction JANUARY 11th 2024

Normally, getting only 15 shots on goal is a recipe for disaster in the NHL but even that low total couldn’t stop the red-hot Edmonton Oilers. They pulled out a 2-1 victory Tuesday in Chicago and will look to extend their winning streak to nine games in Detroit on Thursday. If they’re successful, the Oilers would tie the franchise record for consecutive victories. “Once we get rolling and feeling our game like we are now,
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Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators Pick & Prediction JANUARY 11th 2024

The Ottawa Senators have not experienced victory since beating the Buffalo Sabres on the last day of 2023. Trying a fifth time to win their first game of the new year Thursday, the visiting Senators will again look to take down the Sabres. Ottawa owns an Eastern Conference-low 28 points and has been outscored 19-8 during its four-game losing streak – all on the road – that followed winning three of four to end 2023.
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Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights Pick & Prediction JANUARY 10th 2024

The first meeting between the last two Stanley Cup champions was not much of a battle. The Vegas Golden Knights, the reigning champions, skated the Colorado Avalanche out of Sin City with a 7-0 win on Nov. 4. On Wednesday, the Avalanche seek revenge as the Knights come to Denver. That blowout win came when Vegas was rolling, having gone 11-0-1 to open the season, but things have been tough lately. Since a four-game winning
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Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild Pick & Prediction JANUARY 10th 2024

The Dallas Stars can complete a season sweep of the visiting Minnesota Wild when they meet on Wednesday night for the second time in three days. Dallas beat Minnesota 4-0 on Monday night behind 23 saves from rookie Matt Murray, who was making his season debut and just his fourth NHL start. The Wild have been outscored 12-3 in their first two meetings against the Stars. “We’ve got to be better next time we play
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Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens Pick & Prediction JANUARY 10th 2024

The Philadelphia Flyers will hope to rebound from a disappointing three-goal loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Owen Tippett scored the lone goal in the 4-1 defeat. Goaltender Carter Hart made 35 saves, but the Flyers fell to 1-3-2 in their last six games. “We just weren’t good,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said. “We were not good enough in either end, and that’s the result.” Chad Ruhwedel’s rare

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
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
7 PICKS
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
NHL
2024-11-06 20:07
Open
DETROIT RED WINGS
2 PICKS
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
NHL
2024-11-06 20:37
Open
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
4 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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