NHL Picks

The Calgary Flames continue their road trip with a stop in Anaheim to face the Ducks. Unfortunately for Calgary, their season has been disastrous so far; they have been outscored 15-5 in their last two games and are dealing with a series of injuries. Their young defensive lineup has contributed to their recent poor performances. The Flames are also struggling offensively, averaging just 2.53 goals per game. As a result, when they fall behind, it becomes an uphill battle to catch up. As a team, they need to improve their defensive play and prevent their opponents from overwhelming whoever is in goal.

The Ducks, on the other hand, have lost their last four games and, like Calgary, have been allowing a significant number of goals. They have been a streaky team all season, and it’s crucial for them to get back in the win column. Currently, they are tied with Edmonton for the division lead, so there is still time for them to turn things around. However, they are missing Cutter Gauther, which leaves a considerable gap in their offence. Radko Gudas and Pavel Mintyukov are questionable for tonight’s game, but there’s a chance one of them might return. Given how important this game is to Anaheim, we can expect them to focus on their defensive zone play. They don’t need to outscore their opponent to win, so there’s no reason for them to take unnecessary risks. Their last two games have been low-scoring, and hopefully, that trend will continue tonight.

Flames vs Ducks Prediction: Under 6.5 (-110) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number or better.

The Chicago Blackhawks and Seattle hit the ice on Saturday night in the NHL. Part of a 15-game slate, these teams play for the third and final time this season. Can the Kraken sweep the regular season series, or will Chicago capture a road win? Here is our Blackhawks vs. Kraken prediction to help find out.

The game totals has gone under in each of their two meetings this season, and I am expecting the same outcome here. Chicago scores at the second-least amount of goals per game (2.54), with Seattle close by with the seventh-lowest rating of 2.80. The two teams also take the two least amount of shots in the entire league. We won’t see any electric power plays take place, with Seattle’s 20% and Chicago’s 17.6% operating at below-average marks. No major offensive contributions from these teams are out of the lineup, but there is a very short combined list of players who can promote a high-scoring result. Just nine goals were scored in the two games between the two this season, and we are taking the under 6.0 for our Blackhawks vs. Kraken prediction.

Blackhawks vs. Kraken prediction: Under 6.0 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that total to (-120).

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The Nashville Predators will take on the San Jose Sharks Saturday night. Both of these teams have 79 points and sit at 8^th and 9^th in the Western Conference. The Predators were one of the hottest teams in hockey a few weeks ago but have now dropped 3 of their last 4 games. The exact opposite can be said for the Sharks. They were in a slump and have now won 4 straight games while averaging 4 goals per game. In their sole head-to-head this season the Predators won by a score of 6-3, but were outshot 30 to 19 with more penalty minutes. This should be a huge game with serious playoff implications.

In looking at the statistics, the Sharks rank 7^th in shooting percentage this season. The Sharks also average slightly more goals per game compared to the Predators. The Predators also give up more power play opportunities which could play a major role against a rolling Sharks team. The Sharks also come into this one with the second best for in the Western Conference over their last 5 games. Overall, I am rolling with the Sharks to extend the streak and get the win.

Predators vs. Sharks Prediction: Sharks ML (-115) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Vegas Golden Knights aim to extend their two-game winning streak as they face the Edmonton Oilers. On Monday, Vegas made a coaching change, hiring John Tortorella in hopes of bringing stability to the team. Although it’s still early, the Golden Knights have won their last two games, outscoring their opponents 10-5. However, those opponents were Calgary and Vancouver, two of the league’s weakest teams.

In contrast, the Oilers are a much stronger team, particularly in terms of scoring. They have won five consecutive games and currently lead the Pacific Division. This impressive run is noteworthy, especially since they have been competing without Leon Draisaitl, who is still recovering from an injury.

While the Golden Knights’ offence seems to have come alive, their goaltending remains a significant concern. If the Oilers can start strong, draw penalties, and utilize their power play effectively, good things are likely to happen for them. They currently lead the season series 3-0 and are looking to complete the sweep against Vegas.

Golden Knights vs Oilers Prediction: Oilers ML (-115) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number or better.

The Detroit Red Wings are in the middle of a heated playoff race in the Eastern Conference, and they enter Saturday’s matchup against the Rangers in desperate need of a win. Detroit is coming off a 4-2 win against Philadelphia in their last outing, but they had dropped 4 of their previous 5 games before that. The Red Wings have seen their offensive success plummet in recent weeks, and they have a tough assignment going up against New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin. The 30-year-old netminder isn’t having a Vezina-type season, but he still owns impressive numbers with a .912 save percentage and 2.53 goals-against average through 48 games.

The Rangers have struggled to score goals all season long – especially at home. New York is scoring a measly 2.34 goals per game on home ice this season, which is the lowest mark in the NHL. These teams have played twice so far this season, and both games have produced low-scoring results. New York won 4-1 on November 7 and Detroit won 2-1 a few weeks later on November 16. These teams know each other well, and neither offense is in any sort of groove right now. With that in mind, look to the under.

Red Wings vs Rangers prediction: Under 6 (-105) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Ottawa Senators will be hosting the Minnesota Wild on Saturday afternoon. The Senators find themselves in a four-way tie for the final wildcard playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With only seven games remaining on their schedule, each and every point is extremely important. They will be playing some desperate hockey from here on out. Hosting the wild will be no easy task ask they are an above-average offensive team and they are the fourth-best defensive team in the league. Good news is, the Senators are on home ice, where they play some of their better hockey. They are 19-11-4 at the Canadian Tire Centre this season.

The Wild have not been playing great recently as their first-round playoff matchup has been determined for a few months now. They really have nothing left to play for other than gearing up for the playoffs. The Wild are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. The Senators need this win, and I will be taking them. Give me the Senators on the money line.

Wild vs Senators prediction: Ottawa ML (-125) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

Any Central Division matchup between the top 3 teams is must-watch television, and the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are facing off on a Saturday afternoon in a possible second-round playoff preview. Both teams have been struggling over their past 10 games, but that’s what happens when the top three of that division have been decided for most of the season. I think both teams will show up to deliver a great game on Saturday.

The Avalanche will be extra motivated to put forth a good effort in this game, as their last appearance was an 8-6 loss to the league’s worst team — the Vancouver Canucks. The Avalanche put themselves in a hole early, rallied for a 3-goal comeback in the third and then gave it right back to lose in a high-scoring affair. The goaltending has been a massive question mark over the past couple of weeks, and shutting down the Stars would go a long way to ending those fears.

The Stars might be coming off a win, but they’ve been struggling as of late with an injury-depleted group. Tyler Seguin, Radek Faksa, Roope Hintz, Sam Steel, Michael Bunting and Tyler Myers are all solid pieces of the lineup, and Myers is the only one who might be available for this game. Dallas needs to get a few of these bodies back before their suspected first-round matchup with the Minnesota Wild. The Avalanche will miss Cale Makar, but the rest of their lineup will find a way to bounce back from their most recent loss. There aren’t many more times this year you’ll be able to get the Avalanche at such a favorable number.

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

The Boston Bruins have one of the most confusing runs of the season, going through the middle of their toughest stretch. The Bruins have some big wins during that time, beating 6 teams that are either Stanley Cup contenders or on the cusp of stealing a playoff spot. When people looked at Boston’s upcoming stretch before these games, it looked like the team might be out of the playoffs, but the massive victories only further solidified its spot. The problem is that two of the winnable games in that eight-game stretch against the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers ended as losses, which might have stopped any chance of them getting into the top 3 in the Atlantic Division. The reason they’ve been performing so well is their goaltending, which still only allowed 2 goals in their most recent loss to the Panthers. The Bruins’ offense is a bit unreliable, and Sergei Bobrovsky shut the door against them on Thursday night. Boston will run it back with Jeremy Swayman on Saturday, and they hope the offense will give him a bit more support against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The problem is that Andrei Vasilevskiy is going to be the goalie standing across from Swayman. Not only are they former fighting partners on this year’s Stadium Series, but they are also two of the top goaltenders in the league and known for peaking at the right time. Vasilevskiy has been struggling over his last five starts, allowing 14 goals with a .880 save percentage, but a matchup with the Bruins’ offense might be just what the doctor ordered. Boston had a couple of breakout offensive games before the Panthers loss, but what we saw against Florida might be closer to what we can expect from them. Normally, when the offense goes quiet, they stay quiet for a few games, and we could see another low-scoring Jeremy Swayman masterclass on Saturday.

Bruins vs Lightning prediction: Under 6.0 (+100) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon. Like a lot of the teams in the Metropolitan Division, the Penguins are in the thick of the playoff race. They are sitting in second place in the Metropolitan Division with a 3-point cushion over the New York Islanders. Although they have the cushion, they can’t afford to kick their feet up and get comfortable. The standings have been jockeying all season long and that will continue right up until the end of the regular season. The Penguins are one of the best offensive teams in the league, averaging 3.46 goals per game. The Panthers, on the other hand, are below average offensively — averaging only 2.92 goals per game. They are also one of the worst defensive teams, averaging 3.29 goals against per game.

The Penguins should already be in playoff hockey mode, as every point from now until the end of the season matters. I expect a dominant performance from the Penguins on home ice. Give me them on the money line.

Panthers vs Penguins prediction: Pittsburgh ML (-220) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Buffalo Sabres are set for a road matchup in the nation’s capital on Saturday night when they take on the Washington Capitals. These teams met a few weeks ago on March 12, and Washington walked away with a 2-1 victory. However, this matchup could yield a higher-scoring result. The Capitals are coming off a game in which they allowed a whopping 7 goals to the Devils, and Washington has now allowed 4 or more goals in 4 straight games. The good news is that the Washington offense is firing on all cylinders, scoring 5.25 goals per game over that span.

The Buffalo offense is also in a groove, and the Sabres now rank seventh in the NHL in scoring at 3.41 goals per game. Tage Thompson leads the charge for Buffalo with 38 goals and 78 points on the season, but it’s the depth scoring that has taken Buffalo to a new level in recent months. Players like Alex Tuch, Ryan McLeod, Jack Quinn and Josh Doan are all steadily chipping in, and all of them now boast at least 47 points on the season. When second and third-line players are contributing like that, the Sabres are a tough team to slow down. The over has cashed in 7 of the previous 10 meetings between these teams going back to 2023, and I expect that trend to continue in this one.

Sabres vs Capitals prediction: Over 6.5 (+100) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Montreal Canadiens are looking to extend their seven-game winning streak with a stop in New Jersey to face the Devils. While New Jersey isn’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, their chances are slim. They have won three out of their last five games, but the inconsistency that has troubled them all year continues.

Tonight’s matchup will be a significant challenge against a team that excels at scoring. With a win, Montreal can reach 100 points for the season, a milestone they haven’t achieved since the 2016-2017 season. Additionally, Cole Caufield is just one goal shy of his first 50-goal campaign, which adds extra motivation to secure a victory. The Canadiens’ goaltending has been solid throughout this winning stretch, addressing a previous area of concern. Coupled with strong defensive play and effective scoring, Montreal may prove to be too much for the Devils to handle. Expect the red-hot Canadiens to add another win to their record.

Canadiens vs Devils prediction: Montreal ML (-130) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

Saturday in the NHL brings us a Metropolitan Division matchup between the New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes. This is the second of three matchups this season, after a dominant 6-2 Hurricanes win in October. Here is our Islanders vs. Hurricanes prediction for this installment.

Carolina has punched its ticket to the 2026 playoffs, but their work is not done yet. They currently lead the Eastern Conference with 102 points, but this gives them just 2-point cushion over two other teams. Home ice advantage can go a long way in the playoffs, so I expect them to continue to play at a top level to capture the conference title. New York currently sits in a playoff spot, with absolutely no comfort in the standings. However, the Islanders have not shown that they are fighting for their lives. The Islanders have lost 3 straight games (0-3-0), and have given up 16 goals over that span (5.33 per game). Carolina is an absolute beast on home ice (27-10-2) and has great momentum with 3 wins in its last 4 games. They have also scored 5+ goals in each of those wins. For our Islanders vs. Hurricanes prediction, we are siding with Carolina on the regulation money line.

Islanders vs Hurricanes prediction: Carolina 3-way ML (-160) available at time of publishing. Playable to -180.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings meet on Saturday night in the NHL. Toronto has officially been eliminated from playoff contention, but Los Angeles remains in a fight for their lives. To get you set for the action, we have provided our expert Maple Leafs vs. Kings prediction.

Los Angeles has been extremely lacklustre offensively all season long. They just posted four goals in their last game, but over their last seven games they have averaged 2.57 goals per game. This has been the trend all season, as they are fourth-last in goals per game (2.63). With the absence of Auston Matthews and overall poor play, Toronto’s offense has also been falling rapidly. They score 3.09 per game over the season, but has scored 2.53 per game since the Olympic break (19 games). Both also have weak power plays, with Los Angeles owning the fifth-worst power play of 17.5%. Toronto hasn’t been much better at 20.1%. Neither has showed any firepower as of late, along with major inconsistency. This may be a close game due to this inconsistency, but I expect the game to be low-scoring. Take the under 6.0.

Maple Leafs vs. Kings prediction: Under 6.0 (-105) available at time of publishing. Playable at that total to (-120).

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The Utah Mammoth and Vancouver Canucks square up for a Saturday night tilt in Vancouver. These Western Conference foes have met twice this season, where Utah has owned them, winning both games and outscoring the Canucks 10-3. Can they sweep the season series? Here is our Mammoth vs. Canucks prediction.

The Mammoth have looked quite good as of late, and this is an excellent chance for them to win their third-straight game. They are just 3-2-0 over their last five games, but have been an offensive juggernaut, scoring 4.4 goals per game over that span. This play comes at a good time, as they look to continue to build their playoff cushion over multiple teams chasing them. Other than a bizarre 8-6 win over the Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver has looked extremely poor. They are 1-7-0 in their last eight games, and have given up an outlandish 40 goals over that time frame. Home ice will mean nothing for the Canucks in this game, as their 8-25-5 home record speaks for itself. For our Mammoth vs. Canucks prediction, we expect pure domination from Utah, and expect them to win by 2+ goals. Take the Utah -1.5 puck line.

Mammoth vs. Canucks prediction: Utah Mammoth -1.5 (+115) available at time of publishing. Playable at that line to (-105).

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It will be Jets vs Jet on Saturday night in Columbus. The Blue Jackets are sending Jet Greaves to the net to face Connor Hellebuyck and a Winnipeg squad that is still playing hard despite likely missing the playoffs. Columbus was seemingly on its way to an easy spot in the postseason, but a 5-game losing streak has changed that in a big way. The Jackets need every win they can get now in order to secure a spot. Given how poorly Columbus is playing right now amidst all of this pressure to hang on, my Jets vs Blue Jackets prediction is for the visitors to pull off a minor upset.

The Jackets are averaging fewer than 2 goals per game during this skid and have been outscored 10-3 over their past 2 outings. Although Greaves has been solid overall this season, he has allowed 7 goals in his last 2 starts. Hellebuyck may not be putting up special numbers for the Jets in 2025-26, but this is still the gold-medal hero we are talking about. The veteran has been solid of late, going 5 straight games without yielding more than 3 goals on any occasion. These 2 teams previously went head-to-head on November 18, when Winnipeg cruised 5-2. Give me the Jets, who have great value on the money line.

Jets vs Blue Jackets prediction: Winnipeg ML (+120) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.