Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Sept. 30, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.98 |
+123 
|
o5.5 -139
|
+1.5 -209 
|
|
3.35 |
-140 
|
u6.5 -130
|
-1.5 +180
|
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.99 |
+110 
|
o5.5 -135
|
+1.5 -225 
|
|
3.16 |
-120
|
u6.5 -130
|
-1.5 +197
|
NY Islanders
Toronto
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.57 |
+165
|
o5.5 -145
|
+1.5 -150
|
|
3.68 |
-185
|
u6.5 -120
|
-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 |
-108 
|
u6.5 -120 
|
-1.5 +225
|
Buffalo
Columbus
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.22 |
-135
|
o5.5 -125 
|
-1.5 +180
|
|
2.75 |
+120
|
u6.5 -141
|
+1.5 -210
|
Tampa Bay
NY Rangers
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.44 |
-142
|
o6.0 -118
|
-1.5 +173
|
|
2.97 |
+128
|
u6.5 -120
|
+1.5 -190
|
Minnesota
Nashville
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.93 |
-104
|
o5.5 -120
|
+1.5 -258
|
|
2.87 |
-110
|
u6.5 -141
|
-1.5 +225
|
Seattle
Calgary
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.45 |
+180
|
o5.5 -115
|
+1.5 -140
|
|
3.35 |
-195
|
u6.0 -115
|
-1.5 +125
|
Chicago
Utah
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.42 |
-139
|
o6.0 -120
|
-1.5 +180
|
|
3.15 |
+128
|
u6.5 -115
|
+1.5 -188
|
Florida
San Jose
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.89 |
-195
|
o6.5 -110
|
-1.5 +125
|
|
2.86 |
+180
|
u6.5 +105
|
+1.5 -140
|
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
William Nylander o0.5 Goals Scored (+190)
How can you not go with William Nylander after what you saw from him last night? He opened the scoring with an absolute cannon of a shot 48 seconds in, and added his second in the third period. His blend of speed, hands, and offensive instincts makes him a threat every time he touches the puck.
With ample opportunities on the power play, expect Nylander to make some noise.
Kirill Marchenko o2.5 Shots On Goal (-106)
You aren't going to catch me fading Marchenko here. He flew into Toronto a few hours before puck drop and stole the show in Leaf Land. He led opening night in scoring chances off the rush (four) and used his size, elite speed, and shot to create offense for a team that desperately needed it. He'll be sniffing a goal tonight, and at 50%, this is a price you have to jump on. Expect this to move closer to 55% before game time.
LA
@
COL
Wed, Sep 30 • 10:00 PM ET
Nathan MacKinnon o0.5 Goals Scored (+124)
MacKinnon has 46 goals across 80 home games the past two seasons, so I would play this prop down to +100. He's also paced the NHL in overall scoring chances during the two-year stretch while ranking sixth in individual expected goals, and I particularly value that his 12.9 shooting percentage at Ball Arena is sustainable and right in line with his overall 12.7% mark.
Artturi Lehkonen o0.5 Points (+116)
Lehkonen is set to skate in a top-line role flanking superstar Nathan MacKinnon, so I recommend this prop to -110. The duo have been on the ice for a high-end 4.19 goals per 60 minutes and 57.3 expected goals percentage at five-on-five over the past two years, and the Kings allowed the third most expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five during exhibition play.
EDM
@
VAN
Thu, Oct 1 • 10:00 PM ET
o6.5 (-110)
These two combined for 11 goals in the season opener, and I'll happily grab this number before it inevitably rises to 7.0 or above. Edmonton still has oodles of firepower but very little pushback on defense and in net. With Andersen out until at least mid-December, no one is coming to save the Oilers any time soon.
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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