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
ESPN
Buffalo Sabres
Pittsburgh Penguins
Sabres
Penguins
Money Line Pick
PIT Penguins Win(-105)

Stop busting brackets and sign up for the Pickswise March Madness Premium Picks now! Our expert is up +30.7 units over the last 3 NCAA Tournaments and picked Florida at +4000 last year. Get futures picks and daily best bets throughout the entire tournament, all for just $50. Click here to join and get 20% off before Selection Sunday!

The Buffalo Sabres head down to PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh to battle the Penguins, and for the first time in many years, this could potentially be a playoff series preview. Both of these teams are playing well, and Buffalo is looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2011. The Sabres hit the Steel City on a roll, winning 4 in a row, while outscoring the competition 14-7. However, their last loss came on home ice against these Penguins on Feb. 5, and it was a bad 5-2 loss with Alex Lyon in between the pipes. Expect to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in there.

For the Penguins, they were on the short end of a 2-1 loss in Boston last time out, and they’re in the midst of a hot streak, too, going 3-1-2 in the past six games, and 16-4-4 in the past 24 games, collecting 36 out of a possible 48 points to stay near the top of the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins have won four of the past five meetings, including four of the previous five meetings in the Steel City, too. Take Pittsburgh on home ice in this Eastern Conference showdown.

Sabres vs Penguins prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins ML (-115) at time of publishing. Playable to -120.

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7:07 PM ET
Today
ESPN+
Florida Panthers
Columbus Blue Jackets
Panthers
Blue Jackets
Money Line Pick
CLB Blue Jackets Win(-115)

Stop busting brackets and sign up for the Pickswise March Madness Premium Picks now! Our expert is up +30.7 units over the last 3 NCAA Tournaments and picked Florida at +4000 last year. Get futures picks and daily best bets throughout the entire tournament, all for just $50. Click here to join and get 20% off before Selection Sunday!

The Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets are facing off for the second time this season at Nationwide Arena. In their first meeting back in December, a total of 13 goals were scored, but we shouldn’t expect such a high-scoring game tonight. This is a crucial match for the Panthers, who are currently 10 points behind the final Wild Card spot and need to start winning to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Columbus comes into this game having won 2 in a row and sitting 5 points behind the Islanders for 3rd place in the division. Zach Werenski missed the last game, and his status for tonight is still uncertain. However, even without him, the Blue Jackets are the stronger overall team and have performed well at home. While the Panthers have the capability to fire shots on goal, they haven’t been able to convert those opportunities into a high number of goals. We give Columbus the edge and expect them to win.

Panthers vs Blue Jackets Prediction: Blue Jackets ML (-115) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number or better.

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7:07 PM ET
Today
TSN4, MSG
Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Rangers
Maple Leafs
Rangers
Money Line Pick
TOR Maple Leafs Win(-105)

Stop busting brackets and sign up for the Pickswise March Madness Premium Picks now! Our expert is up +30.7 units over the last 3 NCAA Tournaments and picked Florida at +4000 last year. Get futures picks and daily best bets throughout the entire tournament, all for just $50. Click here to join and get 20% off before Selection Sunday!

The Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the New York Rangers Thursday night, as the Maple Leafs are riding a 5-game losing streak into this one. Though, in their last 2 games, they played much more competitively in overtime losses to the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils. The Maple Leafs currently rank 13th in the Eastern Conference. The Maple Leafs also hold the worst away record in the Eastern Conference at 11-14-4. This weak record is a result of them giving up 3.43 goals per game on 31.8 shots.

For the Rangers, they have lost 8 of their last 10 overall. On the season, they rank last in the Eastern Conference. Making matters worse, they have impressively bad home form. They are 7-15-6 at home this season, giving up 94 goals while only scoring 59 goals. The Rangers scoring has been a problem all year, with them ranking 24th with 2.62 goals per game. The Rangers also rank 27th in shots on goal and overall shot percentage. Taking all of this in, we have a battle between 2 struggling teams. I believe that the recently improved play of the Maple Leafs and better offense give them the edge in this one. I am taking the Maple Leafs on the money line.

Maple Leafs vs Rangers prediction: Maple Leafs ML (-105) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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7:07 PM ET
Today
Utah16, NBCSP
Utah Mammoth
Philadelphia Flyers
Mammoth
Flyers
Game Totals Pick
Under 5.5(+105)

Stop busting brackets and sign up for the Pickswise March Madness Premium Picks now! Our expert is up +30.7 units over the last 3 NCAA Tournaments and picked Florida at +4000 last year. Get futures picks and daily best bets throughout the entire tournament, all for just $50. Click here to join and get 20% off before Selection Sunday!

The Mammoth were already a strong defensive team, and they got even better with the addition of veteran defenseman Mackenzie Weegar on Wednesday. Weegar won’t light up the score sheet, but he brings a great physical presence and plenty of experience to a hungry Utah team looking to make a postseason run. The Mammoth rank 5th in the NHL allowing just 26.0 shot on goal per game, and life is now a bit more difficult for their opponents with Weegar in the mix. The Flyers are averaging 2.5 goals per game in 4 games since the Olympic break, and 2 of their 10 goals came past regulation time. Look for Utah’s solid defensive structure and reliable goaltending from Karel Vejmelka to stymie the Philadelphia offensive attack.

Utah’s offensive core is plenty talented, but they have struggled with consistency this season – especially on the road. More specifically, Utah’s goals per game average drops from 3.40 at home to 2.94 on the road. The Flyers are a tough team to play against under the leadership of head coach Rick Tocchet, and they have allowed just 5 total goals over their last 3 games entering this contest. I expect ice space to be limited on both ends, which has the makings of a low-scoring affair. With a total of 5.5, the under is the play.

Mammoth vs Flyers prediction: Under 5.5 (+105) available at time of publishing. Playable to +100.

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8:07 PM ET
Today
NESN, FDSNSO
Boston Bruins
Nashville Predators
Bruins
Predators
Money Line Pick
NSH Predators Win(-115)

Stop busting brackets and sign up for the Pickswise March Madness Premium Picks now! Our expert is up +30.7 units over the last 3 NCAA Tournaments and picked Florida at +4000 last year. Get futures picks and daily best bets throughout the entire tournament, all for just $50. Click here to join and get 20% off before Selection Sunday!

The Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators meet on Thursday night in the NHL. In their second and final meeting this season, Nashville will look to even the series 1-1 after a 3-2 win from Boston in January. This is a key game before the Friday trade deadline for both teams, and we are here to get you set with our Bruins vs. Predators prediction.

Nashville has not looked good lately, which is further hindering their already-slim playoff chances. I see this game as a last ditch effort until management makes a solid decision on the team direction, and with a veteran-savvy roster, I don’t expect them to shrivel just yet. Ryan O’Reilly is questionable to play in this game due to an injury sustained in their last game, but in my eyes, there is no major roster mismatch here, and a maximum urgency level can go a long way for the Predators. Nashville will need to lean on their strong special teams units, as both have been hovering the top-10 success rates, as opposed to a Bruins penalty kill that ranks 25th overall (77.1%). Boston has been quite poor on the road this season with an 11-13-4 record, which could easily play a factor in this game in favor for Nashville in what should be a loud Bridgestone Arena.

This game should bring playoff-like atmosphere, and we are siding with the home team in Nashville for our Bruins vs. Predators prediction.

Bruins vs Predators prediction: Nashville Predators ML (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable to -130.

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8:07 PM ET
Today
The Spot, TSN3
Tampa Bay Lightning
Winnipeg Jets
Lightning
Jets
Money Line Pick
TB Lightning Win(-185)

Stop busting brackets and sign up for the Pickswise March Madness Premium Picks now! Our expert is up +30.7 units over the last 3 NCAA Tournaments and picked Florida at +4000 last year. Get futures picks and daily best bets throughout the entire tournament, all for just $50. Click here to join and get 20% off before Selection Sunday!

The Tampa Bay Lightning continue their 4-game road trip on Thursday night with a trip to Winnipeg to face the Jets. The Bolts are looking to get back on track, as they’ve dropped 3 games in a row entering this contest. Despite their recent skid, they should feel good about their chances about leaving Winnipeg with a win. The Jets have been among the most disappointing teams in the NHL this season, and they entered Wednesday 9 points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck played out of his mind leading Team USA to a Gold medal in Italy, but he has struggled back stateside. Hellebuyck is 1-0-2 with a 2.89 goals-against average and .903 save percentage following the Olympics. It doesn’t help that the offense in front of him has provided little support, which has been a common theme all season long.

Winnipeg’s 2.83 goals per game ranks 24th in the NHL, and things won’t get any easier going up against Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Tampa Bay netminder owns a stellar .914 save percentage to go along with a 2.26 goals-against average this season, and he seems to have a favorable matchup against Winnipeg’s struggling offense in this one. The Bolts have been great on the road all year long, and I’m expecting them to come out with a spirited effort and a heightened sense of urgency as they look to end their 3-game losing streak. Back the Bolts on the road.

Lightning vs Jets prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning ML (-185) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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9:07 PM ET
Today
ESPN+
Ottawa Senators
Calgary Flames
Senators
Flames
Game Totals Pick
Under 6.0(-115)

Stop busting brackets and sign up for the Pickswise March Madness Premium Picks now! Our expert is up +30.7 units over the last 3 NCAA Tournaments and picked Florida at +4000 last year. Get futures picks and daily best bets throughout the entire tournament, all for just $50. Click here to join and get 20% off before Selection Sunday!

The Ottawa Senators continue their road trip with a stop in Calgary to face the Flames. After leading 4-2 going into the third period, the Senators allowed the Edmonton Oilers to come back and win the game in overtime. At this stage of the season, they can’t afford to give away valuable points, especially since they are currently outside of the playoff picture. Fortunately, they have a favourable matchup against a team that is in the midst of a rebuild and selling off some of its players.

Calgary has already traded some players before the NHL Trade Deadline, and more moves could be on the horizon. It’s possible that some players may sit out to avoid injury, further weakening an already below-average lineup. While the Flames have decent defensive play and goaltending, they struggle to score, averaging just 2.45 goals per game despite taking nearly 30 shots. This matchup is unlikely to see both teams trading scoring chances; instead, we can expect a lot of dump-and-chase plays, which favours the Under on total goals.

Senators vs Flames Prediction: Under 6.0 (+100)  available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number or better.

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9:37 PM ET
Today
ESPN+
New York Islanders
Los Angeles Kings
Islanders
Kings
Game Totals Pick
Over 5.5(-110)

Stop busting brackets and sign up for the Pickswise March Madness Premium Picks now! Our expert is up +30.7 units over the last 3 NCAA Tournaments and picked Florida at +4000 last year. Get futures picks and daily best bets throughout the entire tournament, all for just $50. Click here to join and get 20% off before Selection Sunday!

The New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings clash on Thursday night in the NHL. Part of an 8-game slate, this is the second and final meeting of the season, after a 4-1 thumping by the Kings in November. Here is our Islanders vs. Kings prediction to get you ready for the action ahead.

New York has seen a ton of scoring since the NHL returned from the Olympics. All 4 of their game totals have gone over, with a mix of strong offense (3.50 goals per game) and mediocre defense (3.75 goals against per game). In playing on the second half a back-to-back, I expect their defensive woes to continue, especially against Los Angeles, who should be extremely determined to secure their first win since firing their head coach. They have a plethora of offensive talent, even if the numbers don’t show it, so I expect multiple tallies from them on home ice. New York hasn’t blown anyone away with their offense either, but in an attempt to bounce back after a blowout loss Wednesday night, their offense should see some results as well. We will see more goals than expected in this one, so we are riding with the over 5.5 for our Islanders vs. Kings prediction.

Islanders vs Kings prediction: Over 5.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that total to (-125).

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Vote on who will win!

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.