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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Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 17th 2023

The Chicago Blackhawks head into Sunday’s home clash against the Vancouver Canucks looking to climb out of a deep hole. The Blackhawks will return home for the matinee matchup after they suffered a 7-1 beating from the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. Chicago capped a two-game trip in which it lost both times, by a combined 11-2 score. “I feel like we’re a better group than that, and we should be a group that comes ready
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Arizona Coyotes vs. Buffalo Sabres Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

After a big victory against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Buffalo Sabres look to win two in a row for only the second time this season when they face the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday in Tempe, Ariz. The Sabres beat the Golden Knights 5-2 on Friday in Las Vegas, scoring four unanswered goals after Vegas took a 2-1 lead early in the third period. It was Buffalo’s third win in the past five games,
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Nashville Predators vs. Washington Capitals Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

Washington forward Alex Ovechkin will try to end the longest goalless drought of his 19-year NHL career when the Capitals visit the Nashville Predators on Saturday night. Ovechkin has gone 11 straight games without a goal, keeping the 38-year-old future Hall of Famer stuck on five for the season since scoring in a 4-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 18. The dry spell has stalled Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal
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Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Islanders Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

While the New York Islanders are frequently piling up the points of late, the Montreal Canadiens recently have been finding ways to squander points on home ice. The Islanders attempt to run their points streak to nine games Saturday night when they visit the Canadiens, who have lost eight of their past nine home contests. New York is 6-0-2 since its last regulation loss on Nov. 28 against the New Jersey Devils. Since losing seven
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St. Louis Blues vs. Dallas Stars Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

When Drew Bannister took the helm of the St. Louis Blues as their interim coach on Tuesday, his immediate goal was clear. “This is a good hockey team, but right now, we have to get it going in the right direction,” Bannister said. “The competitive side of our hockey team, the standard has to be raised here.” The Blues started that process by defeating the Ottawa Senators 4-2 on Thursday to snap a four-game losing
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Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

Two teams that have enjoyed stays atop the NHL standings this season and currently pace their divisions go head to head for the second time when the Boston Bruins host the New York Rangers on Saturday night. Both sides will be completing a back-to-back set after taking opposite paths to Friday victories. The Atlantic Division-leading Bruins remained atop the conference standings by capping a two-game road swing with a come-from-behind, 5-4 shootout win over the
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Seattle Kraken vs. Los Angeles Kings Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

Last season, the Seattle Kraken’s success came primarily because they could roll out four lines without much of a dip in production. Entering their home matchup with the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, the Kraken have returned to that model in the past couple of games, which has led them to snap an eight-game winless streak (0-6-2) and outscore their opponents 11-1 in their past two wins. The Kraken’s fourth line of Devin Shore, Pierre-Edouard
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Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

The Florida Panthers will try to end a two-game scoreless streak when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. It’s the fourth game of a five-game road trip for Florida that started with a 5-2 victory at Columbus on Sunday. The Panthers sealed that win with a pair of empty net goals by Matthew Tkachuk and Eetu Luostarinen, the final one with 1:01 remaining. That was the last time Florida scored on the trip.
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Calgary Flames vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 16th 2023

The Tampa Bay Lightning will try to build off a wild win when they finish a five-game road trip Saturday against the struggling Calgary Flames. Thanks to a five-goal third period, led by Steven Stamkos’ first career four-goal game, the Lightning arrive in Calgary on the heels of a 7-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. “He looks at me after the fourth one and says, ‘First time ever,’ ” Lightning coach Jon Cooper

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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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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