Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 4, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.83 |
-105 
|
o5.5 -120 
|
+1.5 -265 
|
|
2.89 |
-107 
|
u5.5 +107
|
-1.5 +220 
|
Winnipeg
Detroit
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.74 |
+115
|
o5.5 -120 
|
+1.5 -220
|
|
3.02 |
-130
|
u5.5 +105
|
-1.5 +190
|
Utah
NY Rangers
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.55 |
+132
|
o5.5 -120
|
+1.5 -190
|
|
3.11 |
-145 
|
u5.5 +105
|
-1.5 +174
|
Calgary
Seattle
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.53 |
-130
|
o6.0 -155
|
-1.5 +185
|
|
3.26 |
+116
|
u6.5 +100
|
+1.5 -210
|
Florida
Anaheim
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.87 |
-225
|
o6.0 -120
|
-1.5 +114
|
|
2.59 |
+205
|
u6.5 -121
|
+1.5 -115
|
Vegas
Vancouver
WIN
@
DET
Sun, Oct 4 • 1:00 PM ET
Cole Perfetti o0.5 Points (+100)
Even money for a Cole Perfetti point is great value in the Sunday early game. The winger played over 17 minutes on the top line and PP1, finishing with an assist and four SOG, three of which came on the man advantage. That came against a very stingy Boston team. Now the Jets get Detroit, which could be one of the worst teams in hockey, with Dylan Larkin out, no center depth, and defenseman Simon Edvinsson also missing after playing 20-plus minutes per game last year. Perfetti’s linemates, who also play on PP1, are priced around 65-70% for a point, which is a huge difference for similar scoring opportunities. Fade the Red Wings as much as you can, and this Winnipeg offense surprised me in its opener. Hopefully, it can flirt with 3-4 goals again today on the road, where the Wings fans aren’t exactly in a great place.
FLA
@
ANA
Sun, Oct 4 • 8:00 PM ET
Anton Lundell o0.5 Points (+135)
With the loss of Alex Barkov, it should be Anton Lundell jumping up to the top line and taking on more minutes. He played over 20 minutes in the 4-3 loss to the Sharks on Thursday and jumped up to the top power play, which has already played 22:19 over two games — the most in the league per game. The Ducks almost collapsed on Friday after holding a 4-0 third-period lead, eventually escaping with a 4-3 win. There should be plenty of two-way scoring in this Sunday matchup. Lundell will have opportunities that aren’t priced in, and if the point isn’t at a price you like, I’ll happily suggest an assist at plus money.
VEG
@
VAN
Sun, Oct 4 • 9:00 PM ET
o6.5 (+110)
Both teams have started profitably to the Over to begin the season, and these are my two favorite Over targets that aren’t named the Edmonton Oilers.
The Vegas Golden Knights hit an Over against a terrible Chicago offense in their opener, then trailed 4-0 to the Ducks on Friday before showing up and scoring three third-period goals to push the game Over 6.5. Their goaltending is subpar, and that power play can erase a deficit, with goals in each game to begin the season. The Vancouver Canucks’ offense is still being slept on and put up 13 goals in two games against the Oilers and another four last night vs. Calgary without an offensive push from the Flames. Hockey is still sloppy to begin the season, but Overs are hitting at 57% so far, with an even higher hit rate on the West Coast. Sunday night goals are coming.
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.
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