Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 5, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.51 |
+185 
|
o5.5 -122 
|
+1.5 -135
|
|
3.37 |
-209 
|
u6.0 -115 
|
-1.5 +121
|
Philadelphia
Tampa Bay
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.82 |
+155
|
o6.5 +100
|
+1.5 -160
|
|
3.80 |
-173
|
u6.5 -112
|
-1.5 +145
|
Winnipeg
Pittsburgh
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.99 |
-112
|
o5.5 -125 
|
+1.5 -278
|
|
2.97 |
+100 
|
u6.5 -155 
|
-1.5 +205
|
Ottawa
Boston
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.93 |
+170
|
o5.5 -165
|
+1.5 -145 
|
|
3.66 |
-170
|
u6.5 -118
|
-1.5 +145
|
San Jose
Dallas
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.27 |
-115
|
o6.5 +100
|
-1.5 +200
|
|
3.35 |
-102
|
u6.5 -115
|
+1.5 -245
|
Carolina
Montreal
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.73 |
-110
|
o5.5 +100
|
-1.5 +210
|
|
2.75 |
-105
|
u5.5 -115
|
+1.5 -250
|
St. Louis
Chicago
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.10 |
-120
|
o5.5 -130
|
-1.5 +195
|
|
2.87 |
+105
|
u5.5 +115
|
+1.5 -238
|
Florida
Los Angeles
PHI
@
TB
Mon, Oct 5 • 7:00 PM ET
Brayden Point o0.5 Points (-160)
I’m on Brayden Point to find the scoresheet up to 65%.
He is just one chance shy of Brandon Hagel for the team lead and in the ideal spot riding shotgun with Nikita Kucherov.
The Philadelphia Flyers have allowed shot attempts and expected goals at a higher rate than anybody, and won’t have the ability to get the matchups they want on the road.
Brayden Point o0.5 Goals Scored (+210)
Point to score is playable to 39%.
The Philadelphia Flyers sit dead last in expected goals and high-danger chances allowed per 60 minutes of 5v5.
Nobody on the Tampa Bay Lightning has more high-danger chances thus far. Point’s shot volume is very concentrated from the slot, and the Flyers rank last in slot shots allowed.
WIN
@
PIT
Mon, Oct 5 • 7:30 PM ET
Cole Perfetti o0.5 Points (-105)
The top-line winger posted three points yesterday, with all three coming on the power play. He played over 17 minutes and should not be shorter than 60% for a point. The Jets’ offense gets to pile up goals against the Pens, who blew a four-goal lead on Saturday and are still one of the weaker defensive and goaltending teams in hockey. If the Penguins are scoring, and they are, they might be one of the best Over teams in hockey. Playing next to Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor at even strength and on PP1 is one of the better point opportunities in hockey.
o6.5 (+102)
The Jets are on the second half of a back-to-back and will be going with waived netminder Clay Stevenson. The Penguins can score and have started the season with 13 goals in two games. Couple that with the Jets’ power play scoring three goals on Sunday and the Pens going 4-for-8 on the man advantage through two games, and there should be two-way scoring Monday night. I'm playing this to 55%. There are a lot of point combos to look at in this game, too. Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakhov are a PP2 point combo I like, while Cole Perfetti and the Jets’ top line are more than likely going to find the scoresheet. Nick Robertson is 2.65x for a point and is playing on the top line with Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell. Both teams are profitable to the Over, and this is the game to target for goals on the four-game Monday slate.
OTT
@
BOS
Mon, Oct 5 • 7:30 PM ET
JJ Peterka o0.5 Points (+105)
JJ Peterka has points in two of his first three games with the Bruins and has been playing over 20 minutes per game of late. This price for a single point is well off, with a fair price closer to 59%. He should not be priced longer than Pavel Zacha and/or Morgan Geekie. The Bruins are a team that is undervalued in the market, while the Senators are overvalued, so that’s likely where this price is coming from. It’s also being influenced by Peterka’s performance last year in Utah, where his role was nothing like what it is in Boston. Hockey markets, especially point props, can take weeks to move toward fair value. By November, Peterka will likely be priced accurately, but until then, take advantage of the 11-point edge.
SJ
@
DAL
Mon, Oct 5 • 8:00 PM ET
Mikko Rantanen o0.5 Assists (-111)
Mikko Rantanen recorded assists at a higher rate last season than anyone sharing the ice with him tonight, and it's not particularly close.
The Finn recorded a helper in 21 of 31 home games last season (68%) and is priced at just 53% to record his second apple of the season tonight. He's yet to face the Sharks as a member of the Dallas Stars, but he's racked up 19 helpers in 25 career games against San Jose.
SJ (+145)
The value on the visitors at plus money informs this pick. Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks offense have plenty of potential contributors, as evidenced by the five-goal outburst against the Kings on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Stars have one goal through two games. That won't last, but it's enough of a rocky start to take a shot on San Jose in this spot.
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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