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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Philadelphia Flyers vs. Vancouver Canucks Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 17th 2023

After splitting their first two road games, the Philadelphia Flyers open the home portion of the schedule when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. The Flyers defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 and then fell 5-2 against the Ottawa Senators. Philadelphia gave up three power play goals against the Senators. “We don’t even give ourselves a chance by taking that many penalties,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said. “A highly skilled team, eight blocked shots
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Washington Capitals vs. Calgary Flames Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 16th 2023

Both the host Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames will be looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats when they meet on Monday. Both clubs are coming off one-sided losses to the Pittsburgh Penguins. For the Capitals, it was a 4-0 setback in their home opener on Friday, while the Flames dropped a 5-2 affair in Pittsburgh on Saturday. “We shot ourselves in the foot with our execution and puck management,” Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom said.
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Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Chicago Blackhawks Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 16th 2023

Auston Matthews will look to continue his torrid scoring pace Monday night when his Toronto Maple Leafs face the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. Matthews scored three goals for the second consecutive game Saturday night in a 7-4 win over the Minnesota Wild. He also scored three times against the Montreal Canadiens in the season opener, a 6-5 shootout win Wednesday night. Toronto will end a three-game, season-opening homestand against prized rookie Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks,
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New York Rangers vs. Arizona Coyotes Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 16th 2023

While the Arizona Coyotes spent Saturday enjoying their resilience from a successful season opener, the New York Rangers were unable to replicate everything they did well in their opening game under new coach Peter Laviolette. After opening the season by beating the New Jersey Devils, the Coyotes will attempt to win their first two games of a season for the first time since 2015-16 when they visit the Rangers, who’ll hope to improve defensively in
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Detroit Red Wings Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 16th 2023

Alex DeBrincat has delivered a much-needed scoring punch in his first two games with the Detroit Red Wings. DeBrincat, who was acquired in an offseason deal with Ottawa, already has three goals and an assist. He’ll look to score for a third consecutive game when the Red Wings travel to Columbus, Ohio, to face the Blue Jackets on Monday night. A Michigan native, DeBrincat supplied two goals and an assist in Detroit’s 6-4 victory over
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New Jersey Devils vs. Florida Panthers Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 16th 2023

The Florida Panthers, who last season reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1996, are set to visit the New Jersey Devils on Monday night in Newark. New Jersey is coming off a surprising season in which the Devils set franchise records for wins (52) and points (112). Florida is off to a slow start, losing its first two games. The trek to New Jersey will culminate a three-game road trip, and
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Ottawa Senators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 15th 2023

Through their first two games, the Ottawa Senators have managed a split and will have their work cut out for them Sunday night when a strong division rival comes visiting. Coming off a 5-2 win against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, the Senators will welcome in the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have appeared in three of the past four Stanley Cup Finals. Though Ottawa won two of three matches from the Lightning last season,
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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Calgary Flames Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 14th 2023

Going into their third game on Saturday against the visiting Calgary Flames, the Pittsburgh Penguins believe they have found the template they need. Pittsburgh had a visit from lingering demons in their opener, a 4-2 loss against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. The Penguins had a two-goal lead but could not put the game away, a problem that plagued them last season. On Friday, Pittsburgh flashed the type of game that has been expected of
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Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Minnesota Wild Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 14th 2023

Despite winning their season opener in a shootout, the Toronto Maple Leafs know they need to improve Saturday night against the visiting Minnesota Wild. The Maple Leafs needed two late goals in the third period from Auston Matthews before defeating the visiting Montreal Canadiens 6-5 Wednesday in a shootout. The tying goal gave Matthews a hat trick. Toronto also killed a penalty in overtime. “I want to forget about this game and just keep moving

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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