Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 21, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.65 |
+159 
|
o5.5 -136 
|
+1.5 -155 
|
|
3.50 |
-180 
|
u6.5 -135 
|
-1.5 +140 
|
Philadelphia
Buffalo
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.90 |
-106 
|
o5.5 -118 
|
+1.5 -265
|
|
3.04 |
-105
|
u5.5 +105
|
-1.5 +220 
|
Florida
Ottawa
PHI
@
BUF
Wed, Oct 21 • 7:30 PM ET
Mattias Samuelsson o0.5 Points (+175)
Mattias Samuelsson is set to play his 300th NHL game tonight, and the Sabres defenseman is carrying some serious momentum into the milestone. Samuelsson has five points in his last three games while averaging 27 minutes of ice time over his last four. That workload gives him plenty of opportunities to contribute against a Flyers team that's struggled defensively and opened the season 0-4-1 on the road. I'm backing Samuelsson to record at least one point in career game No. 300.
Noah Ostlund o0.5 Points (+120)
Oddsmakers have yet to adjust Noah Ostlund's point props. His probability should be higher than 53%, as he's centering the Sabres' top line and PP1 against a Flyers team ranked 27th in expected goals allowed/60. The Jack Quinn, Zach Benson, and Ostlund line is logging the most minutes for Buffalo and owns the team's best Goal% and xGoal%. Ostlund is playing over 20 minutes per game right now, including 5+ minutes on the top power-play unit. The Flyers might be riding a two-game winning streak, but they're missing a ton of bodies and are arguably the worst team in hockey. Buffalo should also have Rasmus Dahlin back tonight, which only strengthens the offense and PP1.
FLA
@
OTT
Wed, Oct 21 • 7:30 PM ET
Matthew Tkachuk o0.5 Goals Scored (+245)
Tkachuk has picked up 10 assists without a goal across his past four games. His heater includes a dominant 66.7 CF% and 64.8 xGF% at 5-on-5, and seven of those 10 helpers were with the man advantage. He's also recorded a respectable 0.99 individual expected goals and four high-danger scoring chances during the scoreless drought, so he’s in play to find the back of the net up to 33% tonight.
Seth Jones o0.5 Assists (+125)
This game should create plenty of power-play opportunities and 4-on-4 chances, with both teams ranking among the league leaders in PP time on ice. Seth Jones is going to have plenty of opportunities to pick up an assist today. He's already totaled nine apples over his last four games, with five coming on the man advantage. Jones is eating minutes, averaging 25:31 in ice time per game, which ranks 14th in the league. With that kind of usage, he should be priced closer to even money for an assist today and around 59% for a point. This is a matchup that suits the Panthers much more than the Senators.
Our experts and prediction models are hard at work analyzing the data. Check back shortly for today's picks, or explore our Computer Picks for inspiration.
We've combined statistical analysis and machine learning to make these computer picks. The table above shows you how the computer has done in its last 100 picks against the moneyline, spread (puck line), and total with $100 units.
Seeing where the computer has had success, or has failed, can give you some insight into where the betting value might lie going forward.
Use our computer picks as the starting point in your handicapping journey. Our computer analyzes every stat in our database and chooses the bet that has the most likely outcome. Now, use our other tools to do your own research and see if that research agrees or disagrees with the computer.
An NHL moneyline bet is simple: all you need to do is pick a winner. Whether that's in regulation or overtime, they don't ask how, but how many, right?
| Team | Moneyline Odds |
|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | -130 |
| Florida Panthers | +110 |
As with all moneyline odds, the team with the minus sign (-) is the favorite, while the side with the plus sign (+) is the underdog.
Betting $100 on Edmonton at -130 would net you $176 in winnings if they win the game, $76 of profit plus your initial $100 wager. Conversely, if you bet on Florida and they win, you get $210: $110 in profit plus your initial $100 bet.
The puck line is the NHL's version of the spread, where each team is given a certain number of goals to either win or lose by. Unlike the NFL or the NBA, the NHL spread doesn't typically change from 1.5 for each side. The spread is designed to make betting on the favorite more enticing.
| Team | Moneyline Odds | Puck line Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | -130 | -1.5 (-110) |
| Florida Panthers | +110 | +1.5 (-180) |
The favorite, Edmonton at -1.5, would need to win by at least two goals for the bet to cash. If Edmonton wins by two or more goals, in other words, "covers the bet," you'd get $191 in winnings instead of $176 by taking them on the moneyline.
There are two ways for the underdog, Florida at +1.5, to "cover" a +1.5 puck line bet. They can lose by a single goal or win outright to cash. The odds are shorter, but you have options on this bet.
With a total bet, you're wagering on the total number of goals scored by both teams. You aren't backing any single side to win.
| Team | Total Odds |
|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | O5.5 (-115) |
| Florida Panthers | U5.5 (-105) |
Sportsbooks will set a line for the game. In this case, it's 5.5 goals. Your job is to figure out if Edmonton and Florida will score more or fewer than 5.5 goals, not counting the shootout.
If you see a line that's an even number, like 6.0, those bets can end in a push where your wager is refunded if the game ends at exactly six goals.
You know what the moneyline, spread (puck line), and total bets are, so you're ready to start betting on NHL hockey. But before you start placing bets with your gut, make sure to check out our betting tools and betting guides.
They can guide you with more than just moneyline, spread, and total bets. They can also help you find value in the futures and player props markets.
If you're ready to bet on NHL picks, you first need to find the right sportsbook. Our NHL betting sites guide offers secure banking, the best odds, bonuses, and reliable customer service options for you.
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
