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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Minnesota Wild vs. Vancouver Canucks Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

The Vancouver Canucks will try for a fifth straight win as they embark on a busy road trip that kicks off with a visit to the resurgent Minnesota Wild on Saturday in Saint Paul, Minn. The Wild contest starts a stretch of four away games in just six nights for red-hot Vancouver, which is off to one of the best starts in franchise history. The Canucks have won 20 of their first 30 games (20-9-1),
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Dallas Stars vs. Ottawa Senators Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 15th 2023

Plagued by inconsistency of late, the Dallas Stars look to build their game when they host the Ottawa Senators on Friday. The Stars are 5-5-2 in their past 12 contests and haven’t won consecutive games since a four-game winning streak Nov. 9-14. “We’ve got a real even-keeled group this year,” forward Tyler Seguin said. “I know it’s cliche, but it’s been a great mix of guys and we know what we have in this locker
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Carolina Hurricanes vs. Nashville Predators Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 15th 2023

After finding some momentum at the end of a six-game road trip, the Carolina Hurricanes return home to host the Nashville Predators on Friday in Raleigh, N.C. The Hurricanes were only 2-4-0 on the road swing, but salvaged the trip by winning their last two games. Carolina’s last stop was a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, with Jordan Staal capitalizing on a misplay by Wings goalie Ville Husso to score the
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Arizona Coyotes vs. San Jose Sharks Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 15th 2023

The San Jose Sharks won’t feel any sympathy for the Arizona Coyotes when the teams meet Friday night in Tempe, Ariz. The Coyotes have lost a season-high four straight games, blunting a five-game winning streak in which they knocked off the past six Stanley Cup champions. The Sharks certainly are familiar with long losing streaks after dropping their first 11 games this season. San Jose also has shown how quickly momentum can swing, as the
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New York Rangers vs. Anaheim Ducks Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 15th 2023

The New York Rangers are struggling with their attention to detail lately, especially with their defensemen. With three lopsided losses in their past four games, the Rangers will focus on their recent defensive woes Friday night when they play host to the skidding Anaheim Ducks. New York vaulted to the early lead in the Metropolitan Division by getting off to a 12-2-1 start. The torrid opening was highlighted by an 11-game points streak from Oct.
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New York Islanders vs. Boston Bruins Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 15th 2023

The New York Islanders will look to extend one streak and end another on Friday when they host the Boston Bruins in Elmont, N.Y. The Islanders will attempt to extend their season-high winning streak to five games with a victory on Friday. That result would also prevent a sixth consecutive loss to the Bruins. Amid a 9-1-4 stretch, New York also has earned at least one point in seven straight games (6-0-1) following a 4-3
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Los Angeles Kings vs. Winnipeg Jets Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 13th 2023

With their red-hot run of success on the road now cooled, the Los Angeles Kings will work on establishing more positives in their own building when they face the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. The Kings won an NHL-record 11 consecutive games on the road to start a season before finally meeting some resistance, dropping consecutive games in New York. They lost 3-2 in overtime to the Islanders on Saturday, then fell 4-1 to the Rangers
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Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 13th 2023

The Pittsburgh Penguins head to Montreal on Wednesday coming off something of a breakthrough game. Now they’ll look to strike while the power play is hot when they play for the second night in a row as they visit the Canadiens. On Tuesday, Pittsburgh not only halted a four-game losing streak (0-2-2) and two-game regulation losing skid with a 4-2 win at home against the Arizona Coyotes, but the Penguins also burst what had been
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Vegas Golden Knights vs. Calgary Flames Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 12th 2023

The Vegas Golden Knights will put an eight-game point streak on the line when they host the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights, who lead the NHL with 43 points, are 5-0-3 over the eight-game span after a 5-4 shootout victory over visiting San Jose on Sunday. Vegas won despite blowing a 4-2 third-period lead with Mike Hoffman tying it for the Sharks with 39 seconds left to force overtime.

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
2024-10-31 19:07
Open
SEATTLE KRAKEN
9 PICKS
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
NHL
2024-10-31 19:07
Open
BOSTON BRUINS
11 PICKS
CAROLINA HURRICANES
NHL
2024-10-31 19:07
Open
ANAHEIM DUCKS
10 PICKS
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
NHL
2024-10-31 22:37
Open
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
13 PICKS
SAN JOSE SHARKS

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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