Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 21, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.65 |
+158 
|
o5.5 -135 
|
+1.5 -155 
|
|
3.50 |
-175 
|
u6.5 -139 
|
-1.5 +140 
|
Philadelphia
Buffalo
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.02 |
-106
|
o5.5 -120
|
+1.5 -275
|
|
3.17 |
-105
|
u6.0 -115
|
-1.5 +220
|
Florida
Ottawa
PHI
@
BUF
Wed, Oct 21 • 7:30 PM ET
Matvei Michkov o0.5 Goals Scored (+245)
Michkov has scored in three straight games and leads Philadelphia with six goals. Buffalo's struggling penalty kill offers another scoring opportunity for the Flyers winger, who is generating high-danger chances consistently.
Tage Thompson o3.5 Shots On Goal (+122)
FLA
@
OTT
Wed, Oct 21 • 7:30 PM ET
Matthew Tkachuk o0.5 Assists (+100)
Tkachuk has been an assist machine lately, with 10 helpers in his last four games. His team-leading on-ice expected goals and seven power-play assists make him a strong candidate to register another helper against Ottawa.
FLA (-104)
This is my favorite bet so far this season, and I recommend the Florida moneyline to 58% or pivoting to the Panthers -1.5 puck line. Ottawa has the 10th-highest PDO at five-on-five despite ranking 27th in both Corsi For percentage and expected goals percentage. So, with Sens No. 1 Linus Ullmark also sporting an unsustainably high .956 save percentage at 5-on-5, Ottawa is eyeing a storm of statistical correction in this calendar-circled matchup. The Panthers have won three straight while posting a third-ranked CF% and fourth-ranked xGF% at 5-on-5 for the year, and it only takes a quick peek at the two lineups to reaffirm why there are colossal statistical gaps.
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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