NHL Picks

Free Expert NHL picks throughout the 2025/26 NHL season. We crunch the numbers, analyze the data, and provide free NHL picks every day of the regular season and throughout the NHL Playoffs and Stanley Cup Finals.

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7:07 PM ET
Today
TNT
Dallas Stars
Buffalo Sabres
Stars
Sabres
Money Line Pick
BUF Sabres Win(-115)

The Dallas Stars will take on the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night live on TNT. Both teams will be looking ahead to the playoffs as they both rank 2nd in their respective conferences. The Stars have won their last 4 games while scoring 16 goals in that span. On the season, the Stars are averaging 3.33 goals per game while only allowing 2.70 goals per game. The Stars also lead the NHL in shooting percentage, scoring on 13.2% of their shots. The Stars have not only been impressive on offense, but their goaltenders also rank 5th with a 89.7% save percentage.

The Sabres are also riding a 4-game winning streak. Through those victories, they have scored a total of 19 goals while allowing just 6 goals. On the season, the Sabres rank fifth in scoring, averaging 3.46 goals per game. They also rank fifth in shooting percentage and 3rd in save percentage this season. In the sole head-to-head meeting between these teams this year the Sabres won 4-1. Overall, both teams are playing great hockey, but I am going to side with the home team in this one. Give me the Sabres on the money line.

Stars vs Sabres prediction: Buffalo ML (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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7:07 PM ET
Today
FDSNDT, SCRIPPS
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Red Wings
Panthers
Game Totals Pick
Under 6.5(-125)

The Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers are set to wrap up their respective seasons on Wednesday night in Sunrise. Both teams didn’t qualify for the postseason, but they endured very different seasons. On one side the Panthers dealt with a plethora of injuries from the jump, and were never really in playoff contention. On the other side, the Red Wings held the top spot in the Atlantic division as late as January — but en epic collapse down the stretch led to Detroit missing the playoffs for the 10th season in a row.

Given the lack of motivation on both sides, this could be a low-scoring contest. The Red Wings are essentially the most demoralized team in the NHL after their late-season collapse, and they enter this matchup with just 1 win over their last 6 games. The Panthers are down a significant number of goal-scorers, which severely limits their offensive ceiling. The Panthers have also scored just a single power play goal over their last 7 games. In addition, both teams are averaging less than 3 goals per game on the season. Look to the under in this one.

Red Wings vs Panthers prediction: Under 6.5 (-125) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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7:07 PM ET
Today
MSG, The Spot, ESPN+
New York Rangers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Rangers
Lightning
Money Line Pick
NY Rangers Win(+140)

The New York Rangers are wrapping up their season with a matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Since New York will not be participating in the playoffs, we can expect to see their full roster tonight. Dylan Garand has been confirmed as the starting goalie. Although his experience is limited, he boasts a remarkable 1.44 goals-against average (GAA) and a .954 save percentage (SV%) from just 2 games — impressive for a rookie.

On the other hand, the Lightning have secured their spot in the playoffs — which will commence on Sunday night against the Montreal Canadiens. As this game is less significant for them, head coach John Cooper may choose to give some players a rest. The team has faced significant injury challenges this season, yet they still finished second in their division. Andrei Vasilevskiy will start in goal, setting the stage for a potential goalie duel. If Tampa Bay decides to rest some of its players, this game becomes more unpredictable. Given that scenario, I’m picking the Rangers to win — hoping their opponents do not field a full lineup.

Rangers vs Lightning prediction: New York ML (+140) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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7:37 PM ET
Today
ESPN+
Toronto Maple Leafs
Ottawa Senators
Maple Leafs
Senators
Puck Line Pick
OTT Senators -1.5(+125)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are finishing their season with a game against the Ottawa Senators. Toronto will not make the playoffs and is intentionally trying to finish in the bottom 5 to retain its first-round draft pick. They don’t have to make an extra effort to lose, as they struggle offensively and allow the most shots against them on the road. Their defensive issues have been a major problem this season, and that pattern is likely to continue in this game.

On the other hand, Ottawa has secured a playoff spot and will field a full lineup in its final regular-season game. James Reimer is confirmed to start in goal. Although his overall statistics are not impressive, he should benefit from the Maple Leafs’ lack of offensive firepower. He doesn’t need to play exceptionally well to win; being average will suffice. The Senators boast an above-average powerplay and generate a good number of shots. Therefore, I predict that Ottawa will cover the -1.5 puck line.

Maple Leafs vs Senators prediction: Ottawa -1.5 (+125) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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8:37 PM ET
Today
ESPN+
San Jose Sharks
Chicago Blackhawks
Sharks
Blackhawks
Game Totals Pick
Over 6.5(-110)

Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks take on Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks to close out each of their seasons. Other than young and intriguing rosters, there is not much to be excited for at this point, as both will be missing the playoffs. Here is our Sharks vs. Blackhawks prediction to see how this one will play out.

Both teams have given up a ton of goals lately. Chicago has allowed a whopping 17 goals against over their last three games (5.67 per game), while San Jose has allowed 17 over their last four (4.25 per game). This matches poor defensive ability from the entire season, with San Jose owning the third-worst goals-against average (3.55 per game) and Chicago owning the sixth-worst (3.31 per game). The Sharks also own the fifth-worst penalty kill (75.8%), and a bottom-ten save percentage (.887). It goes without saying how defensively poor these teams have proven to be, and while offense hasn’t gone much better, I expect a high-scoring game. These teams can play a loose style of play with no pressure of securing points. There is a lot of exciting, young talent on both rosters, and lots of skill will be on display, making it a frustrating night for goaltending. For our Sharks vs. Blackhawks prediction, take the over 6.5.

Sharks vs Blackhawks prediction: Over 6.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to -125.

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10:07 PM ET
Today
ESPN+
Seattle Kraken
Vegas Golden Knights
Kraken
Golden Knights
Puck Line Pick
VGS Golden Knights -1.5(-110)

The Vegas Golden Knights will be lining up in their final regular-season game, as they host the Seattle Kraken. The game plan for the Golden Knights is simple: win and they secure the top spot in the Pacific Division, which is important to avoid a potential first-round matchup against the always difficult Edmonton Oilers or the Anaheim Ducks. I expect the Golden Knights to come out of the gates flying and for them to be treating this as a must-win game. The Kraken have owned the season series thus far, winning all of the first three meetings. It is Vegas’ time to make a statement.

Rookie netminder Nikke Kokko is projected to get the start in goal for the Kraken. The Golden Knights should be able to capitalize on his inexperience and put a few pucks past him. I won’t be overthinking this game; the Golden Knights need this win. They should be leading the game late into regulation time, which brings in the chance for an empty net goal if needed. I will be taking them on the puck line.

Kraken vs Golden Knights prediction: Vegas -1.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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Your Home For Free NHL Expert Picks For The 2025/26 Season

At Pickswise we have expert NHL picks for all of the top NHL action throughout the 2025/26 season. We crunch the numbers, analyze the data, and provide the best free NHL expert picks every day. The NHL is an exciting sport to wager on and there are plenty of opportunities for wins during the bumper 2025/26 NHL season. 

Lots of hockey is to be played before we find out who the next Stanley Cup champions will be. Check out all things hockey, every day of the season with our free NHL picks and analysis.

How Do I Get NHL Picks For Today’s Games?

NHL Picks are most similar to MLB Picks, in that the most popular NHL wagering is done via the Money line (ML) where a bettor simply picks a winner or loser of the game finding value in the price. Just like an MLB pitcher, NHL game lines are determined largely by the goaltender matchup. You’re going to pay a premium price (-180 or more) for putting in an NHL free pick on a solid goaltender – but it’s one position that can win or lose the bet for you. Fatigue is also a factor in finding the best NHL picks as Team A may be playing their first game in a week while Team B is in their 3rd contest in 5 nights.

We try to post our NHL picks for today at least 24 hours in advance. However, due to the huge volume of games, this can sometimes be impossible if teams are playing back-to-back games. We want to get our picks up as close as possible to the opening lines so we can get on the early line value, but team news and research is always key to making the best possible NHL Picks.

NHL Picks Against the Spread

NHL betting has a 1.5-goal spread known as the puck line (PL). Again just like baseball betting has the run line (-1.5). NHL wagers are exciting until the very last second of the game as teams often pull their goaltender near the end to get an extra skater on the ice. All of a sudden an empty-net goal pushes your NHL free pick to victory – or defeat. Betting on the puck line provides better payout odds and NHL picks against the spread can also be pushed to higher numbers such as -2.5 or 3.5 goals for an even better return on investment.

Free NHL Over / Under Picks

Most games are listed right around 5.5 goals in the NHL. The total number of goals is the total of combined goals by both teams and you can either select over or under the total. If the line is 5.5 and you wish to wager on the over then the total combined goals for the game must be 6 or more for you to cash your ticket.

NHL over/under betting is an interesting wager. A huge factor to take into consideration is the goaltenders as they have a huge part to play in influencing the number of goals in the game. A goaltender’s Goals Against Average (GAA) is a key stat to measure the effectiveness of a goaltender.

NHL Consensus Picks

NHL Consensus Picks is a way of saying the popular pick or often referred to as a public pick. What this actually means is where the majority of the bets are being placed. If we’re looking at Money Line markets, for example, if 70% of the tickets are on the Pittsburgh Penguins to beat the New York Islanders, then the Penguins are the consensus pick for that game. Bettors can use this in their research or check possible line moves in the lead-up to a game. 

Ice Hockey Betting Picks

Our ice hockey betting picks will typically follow and feature on the NHL season with picks and Predictions available all season long. Our experts will be primed and ready in times of Olympic years and select other competitions throughout the year too. Our ice hockey picks, as expected will include picks on the money line, puck line, totals, and several player and team Hockey Prop Bets

Hockey Computer Picks

With so many hockey games played each season, analytics, lineups, and small changes can make a huge difference in a matchup. These are just some of the reasons why bettors may opt to use or consider hockey computer picks, as a metric that can be rid of human bias, and offer a solely data-driven analytical look at a matchup, betting markets, and projections. 

Free Hockey Picks Today

Here at Pickswise, our hockey handicappers bring you all of the top action, picks, and previews of today’s best NHL matches today. We offer free hockey picks all season, right through until the Stanley Cup Finals themselves. Each match will have an expert hockey pick on the Puck Line, Money Line, and Goals totals, accompanied with detailed analysis and stats. Check out all of our free hockey picks today.

More Than Just NHL Picks 

We also specialize in every major North American sport including the following throughout their respective seasons so check out the links below for our top plays right now.

Check out our site every single day for some of the best bets in every major athletic contest and make sure to follow us on social media as well.