NHL Picks

Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game April 12, 2026

Pittsburgh Penguins logo PIT @ Washington Capitals logo WAS Sun, Apr 12 • 3:00 PM ET
2 Expert Picks
Moneyline
Washington Capitals logo WAS (-160)
Best Odds
Pick made: an hour ago
Todd Cordell image
Todd Cordell
Betting Analyst

Pittsburgh sat a handful of key players on Saturday and Washington took full advantage, earning a 6-3 victory while controlling 60% of the expected goals and 72% of the shots on target.

It’s possible the Penguins reinsert some of those players into the lineup Sunday but I wouldn’t expect much different of a result.

The arrivals of Cole Hutson and Ilya Protas have made the Capitals a more dynamic team. They are also playing for their season while the end result legitimately means nothing to the Penguins.

The extra motivation should pay dividends for the Capitals on Sunday.

Moneyline
Pittsburgh Penguins logo PIT (+105)
Best Odds
Pick made: 19 hours ago
Trevor Knapp image
Trevor Knapp
Publishing Editor

Pittsburgh has won three straight and has also taken two consecutive matchups with Washington. With the Penguins ranking Top 5 in goals per game and power-play percentage, back the road team at plus money.

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Montreal Canadiens logo MON @ New York Islanders logo NYI Sun, Apr 12 • 6:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick
Assists
Juraj Slafkovsky logo Juraj Slafkovsky o0.5 Assists (+110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 30 minutes ago
Luc LeBlanc image
Luc LeBlanc
Betting Analyst

Slaf has racked up four assists across a three-game streak and has 13 in his last 16 games. He had four points against the Islanders on March 21.

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Ottawa Senators logo OTT @ New Jersey Devils logo NJ Sun, Apr 12 • 7:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick
Points
Drake Batherson logo Drake Batherson o0.5 Points (-130)
Best Odds
Pick made: 10 minutes ago
Todd Cordell image
Todd Cordell
Betting Analyst

Drake Batherson has points in 69% of his games vs. teams outside the Top-10 in goal suppression and eight of nine when playing in the latter half of back-to-backs. 

He’s in a favorable spot to keep the production train chugging along. The likes of Luke Hughes, Brett Pesce, and Jacob Markstrom are sidelined with injuries, and backup Jake Allen got the nod in goal Saturday.

That means Batherson will face 3rd stringer Nico Daws, who owns an .891 save percentage in the AHL. Look for him to capitalize.

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Vancouver Canucks logo VAN @ Anaheim Ducks logo ANA Sun, Apr 12 • 8:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick
Total
Vancouver Canucks logo Anaheim Ducks logo o6.5 (-125)
Best Odds
Pick made: 6 hours ago
Eric Rosales image
Eric Rosales
Betting Analyst

Anaheim put the brakes on a 6-game slide, beating the Sharks 6-1, but this team is in danger of falling out of the Pacific Division’s Top 3. If they do, the Ducks can look at their shaky 3.51 goals against, the 4th-worst mark in the NHL. They’ve allowed four or more goals in six of seven. The Over has cashed in five of the last seven between these teams, and I expect that trend to continue on Sunday.

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