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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Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 4th 2023

The Columbus Blue Jackets will try to make it two straight wins when they visit the Capitals in Washington on Saturday night. The Blue Jackets snapped a four-game skid with a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Columbus fell behind 2-1 in the second period against the Lightning but responded with three unanswered in the third to win for the first time since Oct. 21. “To come back the way we did
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Ottawa Senators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 4th 2023

A terrible third period in Columbus has put the Tampa Bay Lightning in a sour mood to start their four-game road trip. After surrendering a trio of third-period goals against the Blue Jackets in Thursday’s 4-2 loss, the Lightning visit Canada’s capital to face the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night. Coach Jon Cooper and the Lightning intend to leave the baggage from Thursday’s disaster at customs. Nursing a 2-1 lead in the third period, Cooper’s
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Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 4th 2023

The Edmonton Oilers are searching for any positives they can find heading into their matchup against the visiting Nashville Predators on Saturday afternoon. After reaching the Western Conference finals last spring and entering this fall full of optimism they could take it all the way, the Oilers have lost seven of their first nine games (2-6-1). “It’s not the start anybody wanted. There’s lots of expectations on this group,” Edmonton forward Sam Gagner said after
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Detroit Red Wings vs. Boston Bruins Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 4th 2023

The Boston Bruins emerged victorious against the Detroit Red Wings last Saturday as part of their franchise-record, season-opening point streak. They’ll look for a repeat this Saturday when they visit the Red Wings. Boston posted a 4-1 home win over the Red Wings, then won in overtime against Florida on Monday and via a shootout versus Toronto on Thursday. The Bruins are now 9-0-1, their best start in franchise history. “It’s such a fun group
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Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 3rd 2023

The Sabres will aim for their second win over the Philadelphia Flyers in three nights when the two clubs meet in Buffalo on Friday. The quick rematch comes after a 5-2 Sabres victory Wednesday in Philadelphia, a result that Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim found “frustrating” for his team. The Flyers outshot Buffalo by a lopsided 40-15 margin, and Joel Farabee scored to give Philadelphia the early lead just 55 seconds into the game. The score
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Arizona Coyotes vs. Montreal Canadiens Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2023

The Arizona Coyotes won’t have long to dwell on their Wednesday loss to the Anaheim Ducks, as they return home to face the Montreal Canadiens in Tempe, Ariz., on Thursday. Two teams that entered the season with lesser expectations, the Coyotes and Canadiens have strung together competitive campaigns so far. They sit on nine and 12 points, good for third and fourth in the Central and Atlantic Divisions, respectively. For the Canadiens, coming off a
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Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2023

Stringing together wins on the young season has not been easy for the Edmonton Oilers. The same can’t be said for the surging Dallas Stars. Looking to build on just their second victory, the Oilers try to cool off the visiting Stars on Thursday night. To say Edmonton’s 2-5-1 start is a major disappointment would be a severe understatement. The Oilers have been outscored 32-22 overall and totaled just five goals while going 0-2-1 on
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Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2023

The Washington Capitals aim to win their fourth straight game on Thursday when they host the New York Islanders. The Capitals began their winning streak with a 6-4 victory in New Jersey before capturing the first two contests of their five-game homestand. Washington followed up a 3-2 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild last Friday with a 3-1 victory over the winless San Jose Sharks on Sunday. “It hasn’t been easy, certainly,” Capitals coach Spencer
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New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2023

The first month of the Peter Laviolette era ended with the New York Rangers completing their first unbeaten five-game road trip in team history. Off to a strong start under their new coach, the Rangers seek a sixth straight win Thursday night when they host the Carolina Hurricanes. The Rangers are playing their third home game this season and first since looking flat and getting outplayed in a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators two

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
2024-11-14 19:07
Open
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
7 PICKS
FLORIDA PANTHERS
NHL
2024-11-14 19:07
Open
SAN JOSE SHARKS
8 PICKS
NEW YORK RANGERS
NHL
2024-11-14 19:07
Open
WINNIPEG JETS
13 PICKS
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
NHL
2024-11-14 22:07
Open
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
8 PICKS
VANCOUVER CANUCKS

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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