Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Sept. 30, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.98 |
+122 
|
o5.5 -134 
|
+1.5 -200 
|
|
3.35 |
-140 
|
u6.5 -130
|
-1.5 +180
|
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.02 |
+110
|
o5.5 -135 
|
+1.5 -220
|
|
3.13 |
-120
|
u6.5 -125
|
-1.5 +197
|
NY Islanders
Toronto
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.57 |
+165
|
o5.5 -145
|
+1.5 -145
|
|
3.68 |
-185
|
u6.5 -115
|
-1.5 +135
|
Los Angeles
Colorado
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.22 |
-105
|
o5.5 -135
|
+1.5 -250 
|
|
3.05 |
-110
|
u6.5 -130
|
-1.5 +210
|
Buffalo
Columbus
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.22 |
-135 
|
o5.5 -130
|
-1.5 +180
|
|
2.75 |
+120
|
u6.5 -141
|
+1.5 -200
|
Tampa Bay
NY Rangers
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.47 |
-135
|
o6.0 -118
|
-1.5 +175 
|
|
3.00 |
+125
|
u6.5 -125
|
+1.5 -200
|
Minnesota
Nashville
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.80 |
-104
|
o5.5 -110
|
+1.5 -258
|
|
2.74 |
-114
|
u6.0 -110
|
-1.5 +210
|
Seattle
Calgary
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.42 |
+165
|
o5.5 -115
|
+1.5 -145
|
|
3.26 |
-192
|
u6.0 -115
|
-1.5 +130
|
Chicago
Utah
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.42 |
-135
|
o6.0 -120
|
-1.5 +182
|
|
3.22 |
+120
|
u6.5 -125
|
+1.5 -210
|
Florida
San Jose
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.89 |
-190
|
o6.5 -110
|
-1.5 +125
|
|
2.86 |
+167
|
u6.5 -105
|
+1.5 -142
|
Edmonton
Vancouver
PIT
@
PHI
Wed, Sep 30 • 7:30 PM ET
Travis Konecny o0.5 Goals Scored (+250)
Play up to 35%. Travis Konecny scored 27 goals in 77 games last season, including 14 at home. He also generated 112 individual scoring chances and 11.47 individual expected goals at five-on-five, giving him a strong underlying scoring profile.
Owen Tippett o2.5 Shots On Goal (+112)
Owen Tippett led Philadelphia with 2.72 shots on goal per game last season and was slightly better at home. He also paced the Flyers with 308 individual Corsi attempts, showing how consistently he looks to fire the puck. Three shots is a very reachable target in the opener.
NYI
@
TOR
Wed, Sep 30 • 7:30 PM ET
Kirill Marchenko o2.5 Shots On Goal (+108)
This will be the last game we see Kirill Marchenko's 3+ SOG market at better than even money. He had nine shot attempts last night and got four on net in over 20 minutes of action. He's fast, he's a shoot-first player who already has his legs under him, and he plays an Islanders team that is playing its first game and will likely be a turnover machine. Only two other Leafs had more time on ice than Marchenko, who had just arrived that day but was playing elite minutes and on PP1. His 23.84 shot attempts/60 last night would have ranked second in hockey last year. Marchenko ranked 33rd last year in SAT/60, right next to Macklin Celebrini. His increase in ice time is not being priced in today.
William Nylander o2.5 Shots On Goal (+105)
Nylander recorded a game-high five shots and nine attempts in the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, and the go-to winger has regularly traded with a 3.5 shots total in the past. Additionally, with the last-change advantage, head coach Jim Hiller will be able to create favorable on-ice matchups for Nylander and the second line while No. 1 center Auston Matthews lines up opposite New York’s best.
LA
@
COL
Wed, Sep 30 • 10:00 PM ET
Nathan MacKinnon o0.5 Goals Scored (-110)
I like Nathan MacKinnon to find the back of the net to 53%.
The 2025-26 Rocket Richard winner scored 12 goals over 15 games following two days of rest, and six goals over five games after at least three days off.
That’s 18 goals spanning 20 games when working on 2+ days of rest. News flash: MacKinnon hasn’t suited up since last Friday.
With the Colorado Avalanche near -200 favorites in a game with a 6.5 total, the circumstances are perfect for MacKinnon to pot one.
COL (-175)
Colorado holds a huge home-ice advantage in the altitude at Ball Arena, and in particular, the Avalanche’s speed will be a nightmare for the Kings. Colorado paced the NHL in speed bursts over 20 mph per game, while Los Angeles ranked 17th, after all. Additionally, the Kings allowed the third most expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five during exhibition play. Of course, the Avs also went 26-9-6 at home with a second-ranked 58.0 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five last year.
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.
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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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