Tuesday night begins the long grind that is the NHL season, and we have our NHL best bets today.
Whether you’re looking for the best odds for moneylines, puck lines, or totals, we’ll analyze the three games on tap and break down our NHL picks today and reveal the sharpest numbers at the best online sportsbooks.
Expert NHL Picks for Today
| Matchup | Pick | Odds | Confidence | Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackhawks vs. Panthers | Panthers -1.5 | -110 | High | Caesars |
| Penguins vs. Rangers | Penguins ML | +180 | Moderate | BetMGM |
| Avalanche vs. Kings | Kings ML | -105 | Moderate | Caesars |
| Avalanche vs. Kings | Over 5.5 | -120 | High | BetMGM |
Best NHL Bets for Today
Florida Panthers -1.5 (-110) at Caesars
It has been nearly 10 years since the Blackhawks were any good. Over the last five years, Chicago has averaged 25 wins per season, including last year, when they posted a 25-46-11 record. On the bright side, we can say they’ve been a model of consistency.
The Hawks went 2-4 in the preseason but lost their final three games when opponents began ramping up for the regular season. Dress rehearsal is over, and now they begin the season on the road and against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
The last time these teams met, Florida skated to a 5-1 victory, and there is little doubt they will do the same tonight. It’s the Beasts of the East against the Jokers Out West. Lay the 1½ and cash a ticket.
Pittsburgh Penguins ML (+180) at BetMGM
I get it; the preseason means nothing. But, there’s something to be said of a team that missed the playoffs last year and has assembled a 5-2 record on the exhibition slate, winning five straight entering this matchup. We should also note that the Rangers also missed the playoffs last season and won only five more regular-season games than the Pens.
Again, we will repeat the mantra, “The preseason means nothing,” but the Rangers have looked uninspired, going 2-4 and dropping their last pair of games. I am trying to figure out why the oddsmakers are giving us so much juice on an underdog that really isn’t that much worse than their opponents.
The last time these teams met at Madison Square Garden, the Penguins skated out of the Big Apple with a 3-2 win and cashed as +179 road underdogs. They say there’s no value in losing, but if we make a habit of shopping for the sharpest numbers and playing underdogs, getting more than their fair share of vig, then we’ll be up money by the end of the season.
Let’s start here with the Penguins.
Parlay of the Day
LA Kings (-105) & Over 5.5 (-120) at BetMGM
The last time these teams tangoed in the regular season, the Kings claimed a 5-4 victory at the Crypto.com Arena in April. The Avs won their first five preseason contests but have dropped their last two heading into this regular-season tilt with their Western Conference rivals.
Meanwhile, the Kings went 5-2 in the exhibition season, culminating in a 5-4 overtime win against Anaheim. I know, they beat the Ducks—nothing to brag about, but a win is a win. Yet here’s the thing: the Kings have home ice advantage, and that’s a very big deal considering they had the league’s best record in the league (31-6-4) in front of the fan-friendlies, while the Avs were a middling 23-17-1 on the road.
Let’s also go over the posted total in this one, as the shooters will be laying plenty of rubber on these goalies tonight, and as good as LA’s Darcy Kuemper looked in the regular season, he struggled in the postseason series with the Oilers just five months ago.
Meanwhile, the Avalanche have to use their backup goalie, Scott Wedgewood, as their starter, Mackenzie Blackwood, is recovering from a lower-body injury.
Bet the Kings -105 and Over 5.5 (-120) for a parlay total that will profit you $258.
Place Your NHL Picks Now
The NHL betting picks today that I posted on the Panthers, Penguins, Kings, and Over in the Kings/Avs game have specific odds, but they don’t remain stagnant forever. Moneylines, puck lines, and totals are dynamic, which means the moneylines and run lines you see here may not be around by gametime.
This means it is essential that you obtain the sharpest line available, and the only way to do that is to immediately wager on the games you like and ensure you have an active account.
That’s right, make sure your account is funded, and perhaps get accounts at two or more sportsbooks so you can compare the numbers. But the key is to get down at a place you trust and at the best lines or odds available.
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Tips for Making NHL Picks Today
The NHL betting tips today require research, and if you are inclined to do the legwork, then use these tips as a basis for making your wagers.
- Check starting goalie confirmations before placing bets
- Monitor line combinations for scoring upside
- Watch recent form and momentum trends
- Review power-play and penalty-kill stats
- Compare odds across multiple sportsbooks for maximum value
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
