It's Thursday, and we've got a giant slate in the NHL. This is just the tip of the iceberg for my NHL predictions today, with all my action dropping on the Puck Props show every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, live at 11 a.m. ET.
The Blackhawks can keep pace with the Wings as Detroit returns from out West, and Patrick Kane is on a feeding mission. Meanwhile, JJ Peterka is plus money playing alongside David Pastrnak, and Montreal is playing low-event hockey without Nick Suzuki.
These are my best NHL picks for Thursday, Oct. 29.
Today's top NHL predictions
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
| Pick |  Probability |
|---|---|
 Patrick Kane Over 0.5 assists |
44% |
 JJ Peterka Over 0.5 points |
47% |
  Canadiens/Stars Under 5.5 |
46% |
Percentages courtesy of Novig, one of the best prediction market apps.
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Pick #1: Patrick Kane Over 0.5 assists
Chicago can be competitive in this game, and there are only two guys doing the heavy lifting for the Hawks: Patrick Kane and Connor Bedard.
It's amazing it took Chicago this long to get Bedard someone who can set him up, but since his return, Bedard has recorded a point in five of six games. Kane has an assist in five of those games and six apples overall.
Detroit is coming back from a four-game Western Canada trip and could easily no-show today. The Red Wings aren't playing bad hockey as a slightly below-average team, but the travel makes this a tough scheduling spot, and they own the league's 30th-ranked penalty kill.
If the Hawks can squeeze out a power-play goal tonight, a Bedard/Kane point stack has a strong chance of hitting.
I'm not getting greedy here and just taking the assist, which I'd play to 2.15x.
- Matchup: Blackhawks vs. Red Wings
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
- TV: SN+
Pick #2: JJ Peterka Over 0.5 points
The Bruins can win on the road today in a coin-flip matchup against the St. Louis Blues, who have been shut out in back-to-back games.
Boston is rolling out new lines and still finding success. JJ Peterka is riding shotgun with David Pastrnak on the top line and averaging 18:29 of ice time over his last five games, with five points during that span. He might not be a PP1 skater, but this price doesn't reflect his minutes or his linemates.
Even in a potentially low-scoring game, I'd play this point prop to 54%. Add a Pavel Zacha point if you're looking for a stack.
- Matchup: Bruins vs. Blues
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
- TV: NESN
Pick #3: Canadiens vs. Stars Under 5.5
The Dallas Stars are 10-2 to the Under this season, rank in the bottom third of hockey in expected goals for/60, and sit inside the top five in xGA/60. Today, they get a neutered Montreal Canadiens offense that's finding ways to win but playing tight, low-scoring games without Nick Suzuki.
Montreal won't have its preferred option in net in Jacob Fowler, but that shouldn't be a huge issue against a Stars team with the eighth-worst scoring offense in hockey and the 21st-ranked power play.
If you're looking for the best Under today, this is it by a mile. Getting plus money is surprising, as I have the Under 5.5 closer to 52%. The Stars haven't had a closing total higher than 5.5 in eight straight games.
- Matchup: Canadiens vs. Stars
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
- TV: TSN2
- Top picks: 28-29 +6.00 units
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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