Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 6, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.94 |
+135 
|
o5.5 -129 
|
+1.5 -190 
|
|
3.33 |
-150
|
u6.0 -110
|
-1.5 +170
|
Nashville
Toronto
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.98 |
+115 
|
o6.0 -105 
|
+1.5 -225
|
|
3.13 |
-128 
|
u6.5 -135 
|
-1.5 +198
|
Utah
New Jersey
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.34 |
-115 
|
o6.5 +105
|
+1.5 -280
|
|
3.28 |
+100
|
u6.5 -120
|
-1.5 +200
|
Carolina
Montreal
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.12 |
-110
|
o5.5 -129
|
+1.5 -280
|
|
3.04 |
-103
|
u6.5 -135
|
-1.5 +200
|
Ottawa
Detroit
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.20 |
-106
|
o6.5 +106
|
+1.5 -270
|
|
3.31 |
-104
|
u6.5 -120
|
-1.5 +225
|
Minnesota
Buffalo
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.55 |
+130
|
o5.5 -112
|
+1.5 -200
|
|
3.04 |
-140
|
u5.5 +100
|
-1.5 +180
|
NY Islanders
NY Rangers
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.00 |
-135
|
o5.5 -115
|
-1.5 +185
|
|
2.67 |
+124
|
u5.5 +100
|
+1.5 -200
|
St. Louis
Chicago
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.37 |
-160
|
o5.5 -136
|
-1.5 +148
|
|
2.77 |
+150
|
u6.5 -130
|
+1.5 -165
|
Vegas
Seattle
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.07 |
-120
|
o5.5 -120
|
+1.5 -375
|
|
2.91 |
+105
|
u6.0 -115
|
-1.5 +250
|
Florida
Los Angeles
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.93 |
+145
|
o6.5 +115
|
+1.5 -175
|
|
3.50 |
-160
|
u6.5 -130
|
-1.5 +145
|
Pittsburgh
Washington
UTAH
@
NJ
Tue, Oct 6 • 7:00 PM ET
Clayton Keller o0.5 Assists (-104)
Play up to 56%. Clayton Keller has assisted in all three games, already collecting five helpers while driving Utah’s offense. The Mammoth are generating 2.91 xGF/60 with Keller on the ice, and his PP1 role gives him multiple paths to another assist against New Jersey.
CAR
@
MON
Tue, Oct 6 • 7:00 PM ET
Sebastian Aho o2.5 Shots On Goal (-125)
Play up to 57%. Sebastian Aho is averaging four shots per game and has cleared this line in two of three contests. His underlying volume is equally encouraging, with 16.98 individual shot attempts and 15.98 unblocked attempts per 60 across all situations early this season.
u6.5 (-122)
Carolina has been one of the NHL’s best shot-suppression teams early, allowing just 21.7 shots per game, while Montreal is generating only 24.5 per contest. The Hurricanes have also scored just five goals through three games, keeping their matchups relatively controlled. With Pyotr Kochetkov and Jakub Dobes both off to strong starts, Under 6.5 is the play in what should be a lower-event matchup.
MIN
@
BUF
Tue, Oct 6 • 7:00 PM ET
Kirill Kaprizov o0.5 Goals Scored (+135)
Play up to 46%. Kirill Kaprizov has opened the season with three goals in two games and continues to generate quality looks. He ranks second on Minnesota with 7.56 individual high-danger chances per 60 and averaged 4.5 shots in two meetings with Buffalo last season.
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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