Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 2, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.01 |
+102 
|
o5.5 -125 
|
+1.5 -235 
|
|
2.88 |
-120
|
u6.0 -110
|
-1.5 +220 
|
Boston
Winnipeg
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.54 |
+163
|
o5.5 -129
|
+1.5 -155
|
|
3.47 |
-175 
|
u6.5 -135
|
-1.5 +145
|
St. Louis
Dallas
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.97 |
+180
|
o6.5 -120 
|
+1.5 -134
|
|
3.89 |
-200 
|
u6.5 +106
|
-1.5 +125
|
Anaheim
Vegas
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.27 |
+105
|
o6.0 -118
|
+1.5 -225
|
|
3.34 |
-118
|
u6.5 -124
|
-1.5 +205
|
Ottawa
Toronto
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.46 |
-125
|
o6.0 -125
|
-1.5 +200
|
|
3.22 |
+110
|
u6.5 -115
|
+1.5 -230
|
Montreal
Pittsburgh
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.13 |
-109 
|
o5.5 -135
|
+1.5 -270
|
|
3.11 |
-104
|
u6.5 -129
|
-1.5 +225
|
Utah
Columbus
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.87 |
+176
|
o6.5 +103
|
+1.5 -135
|
|
3.80 |
-200
|
u6.5 -110
|
-1.5 +128
|
Seattle
Edmonton
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.52 |
+191
|
o6.0 -115
|
+1.5 -125
|
|
3.85 |
-215
|
u6.5 -124
|
-1.5 +118
|
Chicago
Buffalo
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.97 |
-124
|
o5.5 -129
|
-1.5 +200
|
|
2.79 |
+114
|
u6.5 -139
|
+1.5 -220
|
New Jersey
NY Islanders
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.07 |
+102
|
o6.0 -120
|
+1.5 -235
|
|
3.38 |
-115
|
u6.5 -118
|
-1.5 +215
|
Los Angeles
San Jose
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.26 |
-105
|
o6.0 -114
|
+1.5 -260
|
|
3.15 |
-107
|
u6.5 -115
|
-1.5 +210
|
Calgary
Vancouver
BOS
@
WIN
Fri, Oct 2 • 8:00 PM ET
JJ Peterka o0.5 Points (+100)
There is no Connor Hellebuyck for the Jets, and it is likely Stuart Skinner in net. Boston might have struggled to get the offense going in its opener, but Igor Shesterkin was amazing in that game. Boston is a live dog here and can flirt with four goals tonight. JJ Peterka had a goal in his Boston debut on Wednesday. He played over 17 minutes, which is more than two minutes per game above what he averaged in Utah last year. He is playing with David Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm on the top line, as well as the top power play. This price should be around 57% for a point in this matchup. It's a perfect example of the market pricing him as the player he was and not for the opportunities he has with his new team.
u2.5 Team Total (+138)
The Winnipeg Jets might have one of the worst offenses in hockey, and now they have to face Boston, which just blanked the Rangers in its opener. Jeremy Swayman is confirmed and finished that game with +2.01 GSAx. He is a legit Vezina contender and should be a buy right now at 12/1. He should be able to shut down this shallow offense in its first game. Early hockey has been sloppy, and I’d expect the Jets to run all four lines. That is bad news for Winnipeg’s goal-scoring chances because, after the top line, things get ugly for the home side. They’re running a rookie at 2C in Viggo Bjorck and a third line of Morgan Barron, Adam Lowry, and Brad Lambert. It’s ugly after the top line, and Boston is being undervalued in the market. I’d play this to 52%.
STL
@
DAL
Fri, Oct 2 • 9:00 PM ET
Wyatt Johnston o0.5 Goals Scored (+130)
Wyatt Johnston was a goal scoring machine on home soil. He found the back of the net in 50% of his games in Dallas, averaging 0.7 goals per contest.
He’s attached to the hip of Mikko Rantanen and getting him slot looks is clearly a focal point for the Stars.
An advantageous power play matchup should lead to extra opportunities in those high-danger areas.
Mikko Rantanen o0.5 Assists (-115)
I see value in Mikko Rantanen picking up an assist all the way to 60%.
He was a model of consistency for the Dallas Stars last season, recording a helper in 66% of his games.
He has the luxury of spoonfeeding Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson – two of seven players to pot 45 goals – on the man advantage.
That’s noteworthy as St. Louis conceded power play markers at the ninth highest clip.
ANA
@
VEG
Fri, Oct 2 • 10:00 PM ET
o6.5 (-114)
The Vegas Golden Knights took care of the Blackhawks in their opener, but this is a team that struggled heavily against playoff teams last year, going 12-27 SU against playoff teams during the regular season. The Ducks also won three straight against Vegas before meeting in the postseason, all by a score of 4-3. Vegas could be a dead Over team to begin the year, as the goaltending isn’t great, while the offense and power play are legit. Anaheim could be in the same boat, but I love an Over 6.5 when I can expect two-way scoring, and the Ducks can absolutely win this game. Scoring on the West Coast has also been way up to begin the year for some reason.
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.
NHL Best Bets Oct. 2: Today's Top Moneyline, Total & Prop Picks
NHL Best Bets Oct. 2: Today's Top Moneyline, Total & Prop Picks
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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