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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Detroit Red Wings vs. Seattle Kraken Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 24th 2023

Alex DeBrincat’s homecoming has taken on historic proportions. DeBrincat’s knack for scoring goals has highlighted the Detroit Red Wings’ five-game winning streak. They’ll look to keep rolling when the Seattle Kraken visit on Tuesday. DeBrincat entered the week leading the league with eight goals and 12 points after he collected his fifth career hat trick in a 6-2 thumping of the Calgary Flames on Sunday. He’s the first player in franchise history to score eight
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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Dallas Stars Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 24th 2023

The Dallas Stars find themselves in something of an unusual spot Tuesday when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins. They will be looking to bounce back not from a loss, but from a win. Dallas, which has no regulation losses through four games, topped the Philadelphia Flyers 5-4 in overtime Saturday. However, the Stars seem to be in a hurry to move on from some disturbing bumps in their game that they don’t want to see
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Anaheim Ducks Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 24th 2023

The Nos. 2 and 3 overall picks of the 2023 NHL Draft are expected to share the ice Tuesday when Leo Carlsson and the Anaheim Ducks visit Adam Fantilli and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Carlsson, 18, has recorded one goal in two games since Anaheim selected him with the second overall pick in late June. Last season’s Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year missed the Ducks’ first two games with a lower-body injury sustained
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Anaheim Ducks vs. Boston Bruins Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 22nd 2023

For the Boston Bruins, embarking on a four-game road trip so early in the NHL season has its benefits. The team bonding might be great, but the results are even greater. A night after defeating Los Angeles 4-2, the Bruins will go for a third straight victory in California — and their fifth in a row to begin the season — when they visit the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. “A trip like this earlier in
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Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Islanders Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 21st 2023

The Buffalo Sabres are accustomed to lamenting their performance on defense. For the defensively oriented New York Islanders, their Friday loss was a jarring and unusual experience. A pair of teams looking to bounce back from porous efforts are slated to meet Saturday night when the Sabres host the Islanders in a battle of Eastern Conference rivals. The Sabres, in the midst of a four-game homestand, were off Friday after falling to the Calgary Flames
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Minnesota Wild vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 21st 2023

The Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets sport identical records as they head into a Saturday meeting at Saint Paul, Minn. While neither team is ecstatic about its 2-2-0 mark, neither team is overly disappointed. “We’ve just been even, which is our record, 2-2,” Wild coach Dean Evason said after his team’s Friday practice. “We need to take another step forward.” The record is even, but the Wild’s games have been all over the map.
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Calgary Flames Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 20th 2023

Once again, the Columbus Blue Jackets have limped out of the gates. Heading into Friday’s clash with the visiting Calgary Flames, the Blue Jackets have a 1-2-0 record and have been outscored 11-7, with the latest defeat a 4-0 thumping at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings on Monday. The Blue Jackets have had plenty of time to stew about their performance while preparing to face a Flames team that arrives after a 4-3
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Minnesota Wild vs. Los Angeles Kings Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 19th 2023

The Minnesota Wild will go for back-to-back wins when they welcome the Los Angeles Kings to town on Thursday night for the opener of a three-game homestand in Saint Paul, Minn. Minnesota is coming off a 5-2 road win against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. That gave the Wild a pair of victories in their first three games, boosting the mood in the locker room in the process. The team is averaging 3.7 goals per
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Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 19th 2023

There will be good vibes all around, with pleasant memories of a not-so-distant past, when the Florida Panthers face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday in their home opener at Sunrise, Fla. “I’ve been waiting for this game in particular all summer,” Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said. “I can’t wait to see the reception that the fans show us. “Hopefully, we can put on a good show for them.” Florida, which went 1-2-0 during its

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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