Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 12, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.97 |
-105 
|
o5.5 -127 
|
+1.5 -260 
|
|
3.26 |
-105 
|
u6.0 -112
|
-1.5 +225
|
Florida
Buffalo
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.95 |
+117
|
o5.5 -130 
|
+1.5 -220 
|
|
3.15 |
-130
|
u6.0 -115
|
-1.5 +190 
|
Ottawa
New Jersey
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.01 |
-102
|
o5.5 -135
|
+1.5 -250
|
|
3.16 |
-110
|
u6.5 -135
|
-1.5 +225
|
Vegas
Minnesota
FLA
@
BUF
Mon, Oct 12 • 1:00 PM ET
Matthew Tkachuk o0.5 Goals Scored (+180)
In a game where goals figure to be at a premium, let's roll with the biggest name on the board. Matthew Tkachuk has been making the most of his scoring opportunities, boasting an impressive 27% shooting percentage that's among the best in hockey. With three goals to his name already, Tkachuk has had a nose for the net, and is in a great spot against a bad defense in Buffalo.
Brady Tkachuk o0.5 Assists (+126)
Is today the day Tkachuk gets his first point of the season? It's the best spot of the year for him against a Buffalo defense leaking goals; playing on both the top line and on the first power-play unit, I'm expecting him to get his name on the score sheet on pure volume alone. Brady's logging close to 18 minutes of ice time, giving us plenty of opportunities for this to cash. At 41% we might not see this price again all year - play it to 45%.
OTT
@
NJ
Mon, Oct 12 • 7:00 PM ET
Shane Pinto o0.5 Points (+120)
Ottawa has played some low-event hockey to open the season, going 1-4 O/U thanks to the play of Linus Ullmark in net. Meanwhile, the Devils are 2-2, with both wins coming against two of the worst teams in hockey in the Canucks and Flyers. If I knew 100% that Ullmark was starting for the Sens, I'd play the 47% ML. However, with both teams traveling for tomorrow's games, I'd be concerned about a Sam Ersson start, which would make the Over more enticing. Shane Pinto for a point, however, is a play with a fair probability of 55%. He's playing 19+ minutes per game as the second-line center, will get the more favourable defensive matchups on the road today, and saw the fourth-most power-play time last game while taking five faceoffs. He has points in four of his five games and is getting more ice time with the injuries, skating 20+ minutes in three of five games this season.
Timo Meier o0.5 Goals Scored (+215)
Timo Meier leads the league in shot generating efficiency yet he has not scored a goal.
He is a career 10.5% shooter and the opportunities are there consistently so Meier will break through sooner than later.
Given the Ottawa Senators are giving up plenty of looks from his primary shooting zone, and missing several key players, this is a sneaky-good spot for Meier to get his first.
VEG
@
MIN
Mon, Oct 12 • 8:00 PM ET
Kirill Kaprizov o0.5 Goals Scored (+135)
Play up to 47%. Kirill Kaprizov already has six goals while leading Minnesota with 20 individual scoring chances and seven high-danger opportunities. That sustained chance volume, combined with 11 career goals in 19 meetings against Vegas, gives him another strong scoring opportunity tonight.
Mark Stone o0.5 Assists (+120)
Play up to 50%. Mark Stone has recorded four assists this season, all of them primary, while owning a 63.64% individual points percentage. With top-line deployment alongside Jack Eichel and a role on Vegas’ first power-play unit, another helper is firmly in play.
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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