Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game May 3, 2026
MON
@
TB
Sun, May 3 • 6:00 PM ET
Lane Hutson o1.5 Shots On Goal (+100)
Brandon Hagel o0.5 Goals Scored (+150)
Brandon Hagel has been an offensive force this series with six goals in six games, and at least one tally in each of the first four contests. The Lightning forward is also getting tons of opportunity, ranking second on the team in time on ice per game (25:21).
MIN
@
COL
Sun, May 3 • 9:00 PM ET
Matt Boldy o3.5 Shots On Goal (-140)
Cale Makar o3.5 Shots On Goal (+130)
Cale Makar generated a ton of volume against Minnesota during the regular season, piling up 45 attempts over four meetings.
That is no coincidence. The Wild allowed the second-most shots to defensemen over the course of the year and that has held true in the playoffs.
Top defenseman Miro Heiskanen had a field day, averaging 3.5 shots on goal and leading the Stars in shot attempts – and he’s not nearly as strong of a shot-generator as Makar.
Makar has also done his best work at home come playoff time, producing 3.8 shots and 9.3 attempts over his last 10 in Colorado.
Get weekly insights uncovering matchup advantages and mispriced lines.
PHI
@
CAR
Mon, May 4 • 7:00 PM ET
Andrei Svechnikov o0.5 Goals Scored (+175)
Svechknikov has generated 32 shot attempts, 20 scoring chances, and 2.46 through five playoff games but is yet to find the back of the net.
He shot 15% during the regular season and converted 28 xG into 31 goals so this drought shouldn’t last much longer.
Logan Stankoven o2.5 Shots On Goal (-125)
Logan Stankoven has turned it up a couple notches in the playoffs. He has averaged 4.6 shots on goal while clearing this line in all five games. Stankoven had at least four shots in four of five, often getting the job done with room to spare.
He’s been even more productive on home soil, producing 5.3 shots on 7.7 attempts through three games in Carolina.
What’s especially impressive is the bulk of his games came against Ottawa, an even stingier shot suppression team than Philadelphia.
There’s no reason to expect a dip in Game 2.
Covers’ roster of hockey betting analysts has more than 25 years of experience making smart NHL picks from the season’s first puck drop to the Stanley Cup Final.
We find the best NHL odds and share our picks and NHL best bets for the biggest games of the NHL season right here on this page.
Our picks are researched and analyzed by experienced sports bettors looking for an edge to get the best value from their NHL betting.
Making smart NHL picks means looking beyond the favorites. Our free expert hockey picks will include a wide variety of bet types and markets.
Puck lines are what other sports like football and basketball refer to as point spreads. Puck lines even the odds between two teams, offering bettors as close to an even matchup as possible. Our analysts research matchups, goalies, injuries, and more to give you the best possible edge before making your NHL puck line bets.
Covers’ analysts make NHL Over and Under picks throughout the hockey season. Betting on NHL Over/Unders means picking whether you think the combined total goals scored in a game will be Over or Under a specific goal total set by oddsmakers.
Betting on the NHL moneyline means picking which team will win a game outright. While less common than picking the puck line or even a prop, our analysts will always look for high-value hockey moneyline picks if they feel it’s the best bet.
There’s always value in NHL props. Our team scours through game, team, and player props to try and find opportunity and value. From total saves to goals scored, expect well-researched NHL prop picks from Covers.
Covers’ consensus NHL picks highlight the odds and predictions that our vibrant community of bettors and players are making. Try our picks on with our free NHL contests for a chance at prizes and more.
If you’re ready to bet on NHL picks, you first need to find the right sportsbook. The best NHL betting sites offer secure banking, best odds, bonuses, and reliable customer service.
Covers’ staff of sports betting fans also offers a wide array of free picks for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA basketball, and NCAA football.
Covers’ NHL picks typically release on game day. Some significant matchups like playoff games release in the days leading up to the game.
Covers provides free NHL picks covering many markets, including puck lines, totals, moneylines, player props, and more.
Established in 1995,
All Picks
NFL
NCAAF
MLB
NBA
NCAAB
NHL
CFL
WNBA
Golf
World Cup
