Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 8, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.85 |
+155 
|
o6.0 -121 
|
+1.5 -160 
|
|
3.68 |
-170 
|
u6.5 -120
|
-1.5 +148
|
Nashville
Montreal
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.07 |
-117 
|
o5.5 -139
|
-1.5 +210 
|
|
3.10 |
+105 
|
u6.5 -130
|
+1.5 -235
|
Dallas
Buffalo
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.77 |
+150
|
o5.5 -122
|
+1.5 -165
|
|
3.15 |
-160 
|
u6.0 -120
|
-1.5 +157
|
Philadelphia
Ottawa
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.14 |
-125
|
o5.5 -130
|
-1.5 +205
|
|
3.06 |
+110
|
u6.0 -110
|
+1.5 -225
|
Utah
Boston
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.39 |
+295
|
o6.5 +102
|
+1.5 +115
|
|
4.24 |
-330
|
u6.5 -115
|
-1.5 -129
|
Vancouver
Carolina
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.72 |
+132
|
o5.5 -125 
|
+1.5 -185
|
|
3.22 |
-145
|
u6.5 -137
|
-1.5 +165
|
Minnesota
Tampa Bay
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.46 |
+163
|
o5.5 -120
|
+1.5 -155
|
|
3.23 |
-175
|
u6.0 -120
|
-1.5 +140
|
Chicago
NY Islanders
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.73 |
+133
|
o5.5 -124
|
+1.5 -190
|
|
3.16 |
-142
|
u6.0 -110
|
-1.5 +180
|
San Jose
St. Louis
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.76 |
-230
|
o6.0 -127
|
-1.5 +107
|
|
2.43 |
+205
|
u6.5 -120
|
+1.5 -118
|
Colorado
Calgary
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.96 |
+146
|
o6.5 +100
|
+1.5 -170
|
|
3.67 |
-160
|
u6.5 -110
|
-1.5 +150
|
Toronto
Vegas
NAS
@
MON
Thu, Oct 8 • 7:00 PM ET
o6.5 (+105)
Both teams currently rank in the bottom 10 in xG%, and the Canadiens are playing loose hockey while the Predators are coming off a 5-4 OT loss after blowing a 3-0 lead. No lead is safe in this game, as the Habs also erased a 5-1 deficit against the Pens before losing in OT. Jakub Dobes hasn't looked elite over his last two games, stopping just 51 of 62 shots. It could be a Jacob Fowler game, as he's been playing in the AHL. On the other side, Juuse Saros could get the night off after starting all three games and allowing five goals against the Leafs. Saros has faced at least 30 shots in each of his starts. The Predators have scored three power-play goals over their last two games, while the Habs' PK has allowed three over its last two and Montreal has been shorthanded nine times. Both teams can score in Montreal tonight.
Chris Kreider o0.5 Assists (+185)
Kreider has begun his Habs tenure gracefully with three assists and four points in his first three games.
He's found his footing on the team's top line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, and has six helpers in his last six regular-season games dating back to last season.
If the veteran continues to produce, the 35% implied probability at +185 is due for a major correction.
DAL
@
BUF
Thu, Oct 8 • 7:00 PM ET
Noah Ostlund o0.5 Points (+145)
Noah Ostlund is playing top-six minutes and PP1 and should be priced closer to 55% for a point. He has points in two of three games and played more than 20 minutes in Buffalo's overtime win on Tuesday. The Tage Thompson line is also scoring, with the big forward coming off multi-point games in back-to-back contests. That could make it difficult for the Stars to defend Buffalo's second line on the road with the last change. Dallas scored just one goal in its first two losses before beating a Celebrini-less Sharks team 5-0 on Monday. The Sabres have scored three-plus goals in every game, and should be the favorites on the ML.
UTAH
@
BOS
Thu, Oct 8 • 7:00 PM ET
Clayton Keller o2.5 Shots On Goal (-114)
Play up to 63%. Dylan Guenther is averaging 4.25 SOG through four games and has cleared 2.5 shots in three of them. He also leads Utah with 23 unblocked shot attempts, while Boston is allowing nearly five SOG per game to right wingers.
Clayton Keller o0.5 Assists (-105)
Play up to 56%. Clayton Keller has recorded at least one assist in all four games, totaling six helpers with a 70% IPP. Skating on Utah’s top line and PP1 alongside elite finishers gives him multiple paths to another assist against Boston tonight.
COL
@
CAL
Thu, Oct 8 • 9:00 PM ET
Artturi Lehkonen o0.5 Points (+105)
I loved Artturi Lehkonen for a point last night at even money, but the Avalanche got Skinnered in Winnipeg. Today should bring a very motivated Colorado team against the worst team in hockey, the Flames. Calgary has scored just one goal in each of its three games this season and should lose this one by multiple goals. There were some line juggles for Colorado last night, but Lehkonen stayed alongside Nathan MacKinnon. If there are any power-play changes coming today after two games of nothing, Lehkonen could get a shot with the man advantage. The winger is still playing 17-plus minutes and should be priced at 58-60% for a point. I missed it yesterday, but I'm getting it today.
Nathan MacKinnon o0.5 Goals Scored (+100)
Play up to 55%. Nathan MacKinnon has scored twice through three games while averaging 4.33 SOG. He leads Colorado with 1.42 individual expected goals and 13 scoring chances, and his excellent history against Calgary makes him a strong candidate to score again.
TOR
@
VEG
Thu, Oct 8 • 10:00 PM ET
o6.5 (-103)
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights are not only near the top of the league in expected goals for, but the latter has gone 3-1 to the Over this season. On the defensive side of things, both of these teams are in need of some help, with the Leafs the sixth-worst team in the NHL in expected goals against so far this season. Toronto and Vegas both run out elite top-sixes, and against a soft defensive shell, we should be able to see a ton of goals tonight. The numbers point toward the Over, and we're not going to go against the grain here.
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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