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

21670786

Buffalo Sabres vs. Calgary Flames Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 19th 2023

It took a third try and a rally back from a blown lead before the Buffalo Sabres finally were able to celebrate their first victory of the season. The Sabres now will try to gather momentum when they play host to the Calgary Flames on Thursday night. The Sabres, who have yet to find their offensive stride, came through with a solid defensive game, and an overtime winner, to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2
21665359

St. Louis Blues vs. Arizona Coyotes Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 19th 2023

The Arizona Coyotes aim to ignite their offense on Thursday when they conclude their season-opening, four-game road trip against the St. Louis Blues. The Coyotes started the trek on a high note with a 4-3 shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday. They followed that up by dropping one-goal decisions to the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. Arizona mustered just six shots on goal through the first two periods Tuesday and
21632614

New York Rangers vs. Nashville Predators Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 19th 2023

The New York Rangers and Nashville Predators share the distinction of playing under new coaches, a time when growing pains often are expected. The Rangers, so far, seem to have escaped them. The Rangers are off to a 2-1-0 start, largely thanks to the early performance of Chris Kreider, who has scored in all three games. Kreider can tie a team record for the longest streak to begin a season on Thursday night against the
21659197

Ottawa vs. Washington Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 18th 2023

The Ottawa Senators will aim for their third straight win when they host the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night. Ottawa opened a five-game homestand with a pair of 5-2 wins against the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning over the weekend. Washington begins a brief two-game Canada swing after splitting a pair of home games. After being blanked by the Pittsburgh Penguins on opening night, the Capitals rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the
21587876

Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 18th 2023

Pittsburgh and Detroit both have won their last two games after a season-opening loss. They’ll match up on the Red Wings’ home ice on Wednesday night. The Penguins were defeated by Chicago 4-2, then won both ends of a back-to-back over the weekend. They shut out Washington 4-0 on the road, then returned home for a 5-2 victory over Calgary. Evgeni Malkin has gotten off to a strong start. The 37-year-old forward has six points,
21587771

New York Islanders vs. Arizona Coyotes Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 17th 2023

Brock Nelson enjoyed a breakout year last season when he followed a career-high 37 goals by scoring 36 times and producing a career-best 75 points to help the New York Islanders reach the playoffs. Nelson started the new campaign strong, recording a multi-point game in the season opener, and he will attempt to help the Islanders win their second straight contest on Tuesday night when they host the Arizona Coyotes in Elmont, N.Y. The Islanders
21627471

Winnipeg Jets vs. Los Angeles Kings Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 17th 2023

Forward Pierre-Luc Dubois and the Los Angeles Kings will take on the host Jets in downtown Winnipeg in a Tuesday matchup with a major storyline. It will be Dubois’ first game back in Winnipeg after he was traded to Los Angeles on June 27, 2023, by the Jets in exchange for Alex Iaffalo, Rasmus Kupari and Gabriel Vilardi, as well as a 2024 second-round draft pick. It was part of a sign-and-trade deal, which saw
21617406

Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 17th 2023

Steven Stamkos still might not be available to help the Tampa Bay Lightning avoid their first 0-3-0 road start in 14 years. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres are still searching for their first victory anywhere this season. Stamkos could miss a second consecutive contest as the Lightning again try for their initial road victory Tuesday night. Tampa Bay opened the season by rallying with four third-period goals to win 5-3 over Nashville at home. Since then,
21560296

Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 17th 2023

The Minnesota Wild will look to tighten up defensively on Tuesday night when they continue their two-game road trip against the Montreal Canadiens. The Wild answered a sterling defensive performance in their season opener on Thursday with a disastrous one two nights later. Former Hart Trophy recipient Auston Matthews recorded his second straight hat trick to begin the campaign in the Maple Leafs’ 7-4 victory over Minnesota on Saturday in Toronto. The Wild remain without

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
2024-11-13 19:37
Final
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
8 PICKS
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
NHL
2024-11-13 21:07
Open
CAROLINA HURRICANES
7 PICKS
UTAH HOCKEY CLUB
NHL
2024-11-13 22:07
Open
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
8 PICKS
ANAHEIM DUCKS
NHL
2024-11-13 22:22
Open
LOS ANGELES KINGS
13 PICKS
COLORADO AVALANCHE

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. 

sas logo

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. 

AD 4nXegsymFKSsmvW2mpMShS7pJSdurvVn85xB54wqv5R5Z1j9OVdn2reNyeFEQri6AaDzC rvtqEc4egVX4EnUzeeqoWxb9Uzc5s6i9cJtKbEJB48w6Gyg4n4amNTS3ER8anP0PPTm8eR9FZJDUROqMpRqDG9g?key=z wTSo8dwdPR nMaotTbuQ

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:

AD 4nXcstFP 15nivhhcTBEkQa8soA98MtnhfwMQE7P yC4pMSTQWlpYzWoE4fEBEwWPXiTdmvqpLAv0t7uhF8nJYr1weOVxd1Sh20X7ktIM 8a5ncUFH R8sccmAsEY1k4MHizkK3RF5G3KsnwEiWFg8kxD4sYA?key=z wTSo8dwdPR nMaotTbuQ

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:

AD 4nXdpDtJ2IUOfXhZXWXwWEuWSlI44QaL0xfUwY pqwpU8j1wryHByhhEyZYTcHebHGivvRtivvrH13arYCPHbqhmZwpgN0bwopB3qzKX3yTT tgNOrhHzH IqVoYDP7tgRRyVq1IsCe3P 80NXl9KHhXthluV?key=z wTSo8dwdPR nMaotTbuQ

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. 

WinningCappers, The most trusted name in sports handicapping