Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 17, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.07 |
-110 
|
o5.5 -135 
|
+1.5 -245 
|
|
3.11 |
+100 
|
u6.0 -105
|
-1.5 +220 
|
St. Louis
Nashville
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.91 |
+120 
|
o5.5 -125
|
+1.5 -210
|
|
2.95 |
-135 
|
u6.0 -115
|
-1.5 +180
|
Boston
Los Angeles
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.08 |
+180
|
o6.5 -116
|
+1.5 -131
|
|
3.84 |
-200 
|
u6.5 +103
|
-1.5 +115
|
Pittsburgh
Vegas
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.15 |
+122
|
o6.5 -115 
|
+1.5 -200
|
|
3.62 |
-137
|
u6.5 +100
|
-1.5 +175
|
Edmonton
Utah
BOS
@
LA
Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 PM ET
Adrian Kempe o2.5 Shots On Goal (-135)
I’m targeting Adrian Kempe for 3+ shots to 62%.
Kempe has averaged 3.2 shots on 8.5 attempts through five games despite a difficult schedule.
Four of the five teams he has faced – Edmonton, Colorado, Florida, and Vegas – rank in the top half of the league in shot suppression.
Only eight teams have allowed more shots on goal per 60 than the Boston Bruins, who played in Anaheim just last night.
PIT
@
VEG
Sat, Oct 17 • 10:00 PM ET
Tomas Hertl o0.5 Goals Scored (+160)
Tomas Hertl has seen an uptick in usage under Ryan Craig and generated high-danger opportunities in bulk. Nobody on the Golden Knights has piled up more expected goals than Hertl (4.7).
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the latter half a road back-to-back and rank fourth in 5-on-5 pace this season. It’s a great spot to deal damage.
Ben Kindel o1.5 Shots On Goal (-115)
I’d play Ben Kindel for 2+ shots to 58%.
A lot of his volume comes from near the net and the Vegas Golden Knights quietly sit 26th in slot shots allowed.
Kindel doesn’t have nearly the same mileage on him as a lot of Pittsburgh Penguins, and his young legs should be relied upon in this back-to-back.
EDM
@
UTAH
Sat, Oct 17 • 10:00 PM ET
Dylan Guenther o0.5 Power Play Points (+140)
Yes, Guenther has been a force on the power play, ranking fourth in the NHL in expected goals for with the man advantage. It helps to know that the Oilers are abysmal on the penalty kill, clicking at just a 68% rate, which is 28th in the NHL. With that kind of offensive involvement and scoring opportunity against a team that can't clear the puck in their own zone, I love his chances of finding the scoresheet at least once tonight on the man advantage.
Vasily Podkolzin o0.5 Goals Scored (+230)
At 30%, I love this price on Vasily Podkolzin, who leads the Oilers in expected goals for at five-on-five. Podkolzin has scored at least one goal in four of six games this season while playing alongside McDavid on the top line and first power-play unit. It's no secret he's been the beneficiary of the gravity McDavid receives whenever he's in the offensive zone, but Podkolzin has been making the most of it and is coming into his own as a sniper at the NHL level. Let's hit some twine tonight.
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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