The 2021-22 NHL season is off and running. It’s early, but Connor McDavid picked up right where he left off last year and has six goals and 11 points in the Oilers four games. All of those were wins, by the way.
Edmonton is one of the few teams that has this weekend off. A full 26 teams will be in action on Saturday. Here are the top five NHL picks for Saturday, October 23, 2021.
Florida Panthers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Panthers vs. Flyers Predictions
Best Bet: OVER 6.5
The Panthers are off to a 4-0 start this season. Florida has the league’s best goal differential outscoring opponents 18-7 (+11) thus far.
Philadelphia is also off to a solid start. The Flyers are 2-0-1 in three games so far. Like Florida, the Flyers have been outscoring their opponents at a pretty good clip, 16-9.
The Flyers haven’t lost at home yet and they are averaging over five goals per game. The Panthers have scored 5, 5, 4, and 4 goals in their four games. There will be enough scoring to push this game Over the total.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Maple Leafs vs. Penguins Predictions
Best Bet: UNDER 6.5
The Penguins have fared well without stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. They will face a tough test on Saturday when the Maple Leafs come to town. Toronto is 2-1-1 so far this season and if there is one thing that is consistent it is that the Leafs play good defense.
The highest-scoring game the Leafs have played this season saw five goals total. The Penguins tend to play at the pace of their opponent as seen in their recent 2-1 loss to Dallas. Take the Under in this one.
New York Islanders vs. Arizona Coyotes
Best Bet: OVER 5.5
The Islanders are typically one of the better defensive teams in the NHL. They haven’t been playing well to start the 2021-22 season and they are playing on the road in Arizona.
The Coyotes have yet to win a game and they have only scored eight goals in four games. Tonight’s total of 5.5 reflects the Islanders ability to play defense as well as Arizona’s inability to score. This number just seems too low. Take the Over.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Canadiens
Best Bet: CANADIENS -152
The Red Wings are 2-1-1 so far this season. Montreal, which made the Stanley Cup Finals last season, are 0-5. That’s right, 0-5.
Detroit is still in the midst of a rebuild. The Canadiens have much of the same roster from last season. Montreal has only scored four goals so far this season. That is going to change on Saturday. Don’t get sucked in by the underdog odds. Back Montreal -152.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Best Bet: LIGHTNING -109
The best game of the day will be this one. Two Stanley Cup contenders will battle it out in an early season game. Neither team has looked good so far this season.
Playing each other will bring out the best in each team. The Avs are 1-7 in their last eight games. Tampa Bay is 7-3 in its last ten. Plus the Lightning are at home. Back Tampa Bay -109.
