NHL Picks for October 13, 2026

New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings Best Bet

New Jersey travels to Detroit after playing Ottawa on Monday, leaving the Devils with a quick turnaround against a Red Wings team that has struggled through its opening games. Detroit enters at 1-3-1, while New Jersey is 2-2. Neither club has established much defensive consistency, and the market reflects that uncertainty with the moneyline close to even.

Best Bet: Detroit Red Wings Moneyline (-105 or Better)

Detroit’s start has been disappointing, but this is a reasonable spot to back the home team. New Jersey has to manage consecutive games and travel, while the Red Wings have an opportunity to exploit a potentially tired opponent. The Devils are capable of winning through their offensive talent, but the short price makes Detroit worth backing rather than paying a premium for New Jersey.

NHL Best Bet: Detroit Red Wings ML (-105 or Better)

Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Best Bet

Florida plays its second game in two days after visiting Buffalo on Monday, while Columbus enters at 2-2. The Panthers have had trouble separating themselves from opponents, with two of their first five games requiring overtime. Columbus hasn’t been particularly consistent either, but the Blue Jackets have home ice against a division rival dealing with a demanding early-season schedule.

Best Bet: Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline (-125 or Better)

Columbus is the preferred side because of the scheduling advantage and manageable price. Florida has enough experience to overcome difficult circumstances, but asking the Panthers to produce another strong road performance without a day off is a legitimate concern. Columbus doesn’t need to dominate the game to justify this wager; the Blue Jackets simply need to capitalize on their opportunity at home.

NHL Best Bet: Columbus Blue Jackets ML (-125 or Better)

Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Best Bet

Buffalo heads to Montreal after hosting Florida on Monday, giving the Sabres another game without a rest day. Montreal enters at 2-2-1 and has an opportunity to improve its early home form against a Buffalo club that has struggled defensively. The Canadiens are favored around -156, with the total sitting at 6.5 goals.

Best Bet: Montreal Canadiens Moneyline (-160 or Better)

Montreal has the better scheduling situation and should be able to generate opportunities against Buffalo’s inconsistent defensive play. The Sabres have enough offensive ability to make this competitive, but their second game in two nights makes sustaining that pressure more difficult. The Canadiens are worth backing at home, provided the price remains around -160 rather than climbing toward -180.

NHL Best Bet: Montreal Canadiens ML (-160 or Better)

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes Best Bet

Carolina enters at 4-1-1 and has established itself as one of the stronger teams through the opening stretch. Washington isn’t far behind at 3-1, making this an interesting Metropolitan Division matchup between clubs capable of playing structured defensive hockey. Carolina is favored around -164, with the total listed at 6.5.

Best Bet: Under 6.5 Goals (-125 or Better)

Both teams have enough defensive discipline to prevent this from becoming an uncontrolled offensive game. Carolina’s ability to manage possession should limit Washington’s opportunities, while the Capitals have demonstrated enough defensive reliability to keep the Hurricanes from generating constant high-danger chances. The concern is special-teams scoring, but under 6.5 offers a more appealing approach than laying a substantial moneyline price with Carolina.

NHL Best Bet: Capitals-Hurricanes Under 6.5 (-125 or Better)

Seattle Kraken vs. Philadelphia Flyers Best Bet

Seattle enters at 3-2 and has been considerably more competitive than Philadelphia, which is still searching for its first victory after opening 0-4-2. The Flyers have struggled to protect leads and finish close games, while the Kraken have shown enough offensive consistency to take advantage of opponents that make defensive mistakes. Philadelphia is nevertheless a slight home favorite.

Best Bet: Seattle Kraken Moneyline (+104 or Better)

I’m not particularly interested in laying a favorite’s price with a Philadelphia team that hasn’t won through six games. Seattle has been the more reliable club, and getting plus money makes the Kraken the attractive side. The Flyers will eventually break through, but there isn’t enough evidence yet to justify paying for that turnaround against a Seattle team already playing respectable hockey.

NHL Best Bet: Seattle Kraken ML (+104 or Better)

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers Best Bet

Tampa Bay enters at 4-1 after winning four consecutive games, while New York is 4-2 and has also enjoyed a strong opening stretch. The Lightning have been generating enough offense to overcome defensive mistakes, but the Rangers are capable of matching that production on home ice. Tampa Bay is favored around -162, making New York an interesting underdog at Madison Square Garden.

Best Bet: New York Rangers Moneyline (+130 or Better)

Tampa Bay’s winning streak deserves respect, but the price appears too generous to the visitors against another 4-win team. New York has enough defensive structure and offensive production to make this a competitive matchup, and getting approximately +134 at home is attractive. The Lightning may be the hotter team, but backing the Rangers at plus money offers the stronger betting position.

NHL Best Bet: New York Rangers ML (+130 or Better)

St. Louis Blues vs. Ottawa Senators Best Bet

Ottawa enters at 4-1 but faces a difficult scheduling situation after visiting New Jersey on Monday. St. Louis is 2-2-1 and has been inconsistent defensively, although the Blues have enough offensive ability to challenge an opponent dealing with consecutive games. Ottawa is favored around -120, making this one of Tuesday’s more closely priced matchups.

Best Bet: St. Louis Blues Moneyline (+100 or Better)

Ottawa’s strong start makes fading the Senators uncomfortable, but the scheduling situation creates an opportunity. St. Louis has the fresher legs and gets plus money against a team playing its second game in two nights. The Senators could overcome that disadvantage through their defensive play, but the Blues have enough offensive upside to justify taking the underdog price.

NHL Best Bet: St. Louis Blues ML (+100 or Better)

Vancouver Canucks vs. New York Islanders Best Bet

Vancouver enters at 2-4 and has struggled to establish consistency on either side of the puck. New York is 2-3 and hasn’t exactly been impressive, but the Islanders have home ice against a Canucks team that has experienced considerable defensive trouble. The Islanders are priced around -210, making the moneyline expensive despite the favorable matchup.

Best Bet: New York Islanders -1.5 (+110 or Better)

The Islanders’ moneyline doesn’t offer much value at the current price, so the puck line is the more interesting approach. Vancouver’s defensive struggles create an opportunity for New York to build separation, particularly if the Islanders establish an early lead. The danger is that New York hasn’t been consistent enough offensively to make a multi-goal victory automatic, but the plus-money return makes the risk more reasonable than laying over -200.

NHL Best Bet: New York Islanders -1.5 (+110 or Better)

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks Best Bet

Pittsburgh enters at 3-2-1 and has shown more balance than Chicago, which has struggled through a 1-5 opening stretch. The Blackhawks have had difficulty keeping opponents off the scoreboard, and that creates opportunities for a Penguins team capable of generating offense in transition. Pittsburgh is favored around -140.

Best Bet: Pittsburgh Penguins Moneyline (-140 or Better)

Chicago’s poor start makes backing the Blackhawks difficult, even at home. Pittsburgh has been the more reliable team and should have enough offensive opportunities to take advantage of Chicago’s defensive mistakes. The Penguins haven’t been dominant enough to justify laying the puck line, but the moneyline is reasonable at -140 or better.

NHL Best Bet: Pittsburgh Penguins ML (-140 or Better)

Minnesota Wild vs. Winnipeg Jets Best Bet

Minnesota travels to Winnipeg after hosting Vegas on Monday, giving the Wild a difficult turnaround against a Jets team that enters at 3-1-1. Both clubs have been competitive early, and the moneyline is essentially even. Minnesota has relied heavily on defensive structure, while Winnipeg has demonstrated the ability to win tight games.

Best Bet: Winnipeg Jets Moneyline (-110 or Better)

The Jets have the scheduling advantage and home ice against a Minnesota team playing on consecutive nights. Winnipeg doesn’t need to dominate offensively to make this wager worthwhile, particularly if the Wild struggle to maintain their usual defensive intensity. Minnesota’s disciplined approach remains a concern, but getting Winnipeg close to even money is the stronger position.

NHL Best Bet: Winnipeg Jets ML (-110 or Better)

Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars Best Bet

Colorado and Dallas meet in one of Tuesday’s more compelling matchups between Western Conference contenders. The Avalanche enter at 3-2, while Dallas is 2-2-1. Both teams have enough offensive ability to create scoring opportunities, but neither has consistently controlled games defensively during the opening stretch. The moneyline is nearly even, with the total around 5.5 goals.

Best Bet: Over 5.5 Goals (-135 or Better)

The total is more appealing than choosing between two evenly matched teams. Colorado can generate offense quickly, while Dallas has enough scoring depth to respond rather than relying entirely on defensive play. Both clubs are capable of reaching three goals, which makes the over attractive at 5.5. The concern is that a tight divisional-style matchup could become more conservative, but the offensive upside makes the total the preferred wager.

NHL Best Bet: Avalanche-Stars Over 5.5 (-135 or Better)

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Nashville Predators Best Bet

Vegas visits Nashville after playing Minnesota on Monday, creating another back-to-back situation on Tuesday’s schedule. The Golden Knights enter at 5-1 and have been one of the league’s strongest early teams, while Nashville is 2-1-2. Vegas is favored around -128, reflecting its strong form despite the scheduling disadvantage.

Best Bet: Nashville Predators Moneyline (+105 or Better)

Vegas has been excellent, but the combination of travel and consecutive games creates an opportunity to back Nashville at home. The Predators have been competitive enough to challenge the Golden Knights, and the plus-money price compensates for taking on a stronger opponent. Vegas could certainly extend its winning streak, but Nashville has a reasonable path toward capitalizing on a tired visiting team.

NHL Best Bet: Nashville Predators ML (+105 or Better)

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Utah Mammoth Best Bet

Toronto enters at 3-2-1 and travels to face a Utah team that has opened 4-2. The Mammoth have been competitive offensively and benefit from playing at home against an Eastern Conference opponent making a western trip. Utah is favored around -162, with the total set at 6.5 goals.

Best Bet: Over 6.5 Goals (-110 or Better)

Both teams have enough offensive talent to turn this into one of Tuesday’s higher-scoring games. Toronto has demonstrated the ability to create scoring chances but hasn’t consistently prevented opponents from answering, while Utah has been comfortable playing an aggressive offensive style. A 4-3 result is a realistic path to the over, although the 6.5 number leaves little room for a quiet period.

NHL Best Bet: Maple Leafs-Mammoth Over 6.5 (-110 or Better)

Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks Best Bet

Calgary enters Tuesday still searching for its first victory after opening 0-5, while Anaheim has been one of the league’s pleasant early surprises at 4-1. The Ducks have been more consistent offensively and defensively, making them substantial home favorites around -215. Calgary’s struggles are difficult to ignore, particularly against an Anaheim team playing with confidence.

Best Bet: Anaheim Ducks -1.5 (+115 or Better)

Laying more than -200 on Anaheim’s moneyline isn’t particularly attractive, but the puck line offers a better return. Calgary has struggled to keep games competitive, and Anaheim has enough offensive production to create a multi-goal advantage. The concern is that the Flames are overdue for a better performance, but their opening results provide little reason to trust them against a 4-1 opponent.

NHL Best Bet: Anaheim Ducks -1.5 (+115 or Better)

Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings Best Bet

Edmonton enters unbeaten in regulation at 4-0-1, while Los Angeles is still looking for its first victory after opening 0-2-2. The Oilers have been generating enough offense to remain competitive in every game, while the Kings have struggled to turn close contests into victories. Edmonton is favored around -125 despite playing on the road.

Best Bet: Edmonton Oilers Moneyline (-125 or Better)

The Oilers have been the stronger team, and the price isn’t unreasonable given the difference in early-season form. Los Angeles has been competitive enough to make this dangerous, but Edmonton has demonstrated more reliable offensive production and has avoided regulation losses. The Kings’ home ice is worth considering, although it isn’t enough to outweigh the Oilers’ stronger opening performances at this number.

NHL Best Bet: Edmonton Oilers ML (-125 or Better)

Boston Bruins vs. San Jose Sharks Best Bet

Boston closes Tuesday’s schedule with a visit to San Jose after opening 4-2. The Bruins have bounced back from early defensive problems with consecutive convincing victories, while the Sharks enter at 3-2 and have been competitive at home. San Jose is a slight favorite around -115, making this another matchup where the moneyline offers a relatively balanced price.

Best Bet: Boston Bruins Moneyline (-105 or Better)

Boston’s recent improvement makes the Bruins an attractive underdog against a San Jose team that has been inconsistent offensively. The Bruins have shown they can control games when their defensive structure holds together, and their recent scoring production gives them enough offense to win on the road. San Jose’s home performance deserves respect, but Boston’s stronger recent form makes the near-even price worthwhile.

NHL Best Bet: Boston Bruins ML (-105 or Better)

NHL Best Bet of the Day

Of Tuesday’s 16 selections, Seattle Kraken Moneyline at +104 or better against Philadelphia earns our NHL Best Bet of the Day. Seattle enters with a winning record, while the Flyers are still looking for their first victory after six games. Philadelphia’s home-ice advantage explains the favorite’s price, but the Flyers haven’t demonstrated enough consistency to justify laying money against a Seattle team that has been considerably more competitive.

The Kraken don’t need an exceptional performance to make this wager work. They need to take advantage of a Philadelphia club that has struggled to finish games and avoid the defensive mistakes that could allow the Flyers to finally break through. At plus money, Seattle offers one of the more appealing combinations of matchup and price on Tuesday’s crowded schedule.

NHL Best Bet of the Day: Seattle Kraken Moneyline (+104 or Better)

Betting lines, starting goaltenders and player availability may change before puck drop. The recommendations reflect the available information at the time of writing, and all prices should be verified before placing a wager.