NHL Picks for October 27, 2026

NHL Picks and Predictions for Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Tuesday's NHL schedule has 11 games, and there are some good matchups on the board. Boston heads to Carolina with both clubs off to strong starts, Minnesota and Utah meet in an important Central Division game, and Ottawa visits Vegas in what should be a competitive late-night matchup.

We've also got Los Angeles playing its second game in as many nights, Winnipeg trying to stop a rough stretch, and Vancouver facing a difficult trip to Anaheim. There are a few favorites worth backing, but some of the better prices are on the underdogs. Here are my picks for every game, followed by the NHL Best Bet of the Day. For more predictions, visit our free NHL picks.

Today's NHL Picks for October 27, 2026

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Philadelphia Flyers Best Bet

Columbus enters at 4-5-0, while Philadelphia is 3-7-3. Neither team has been particularly dependable, but the Flyers have had more trouble finishing games. Philadelphia's record includes three overtime losses, and the club has struggled to turn competitive performances into wins.

The Blue Jackets aren't exactly a powerhouse, either. Their goaltending has been inconsistent, and defensive mistakes have made some games harder than necessary. But Columbus has the slightly stronger overall record and comes into a matchup where it shouldn't need an exceptional performance to win.

Best Bet: Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline (-120 or Better)

I'll take Columbus at a modest favorite's price. Philadelphia has home ice, and that matters in a game between two teams that haven't been playing particularly well. Still, the Flyers have had trouble finishing games, and Columbus has enough offense to take advantage of defensive mistakes. At -120 or better, the Blue Jackets are my preferred side.

NHL Best Bet: Columbus Blue Jackets ML (-120 or Better)

Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes Best Bet

Boston enters at 9-2-1, while Carolina is 9-2-2. Both teams have been among the league's better offensive clubs, but their defensive numbers are just as interesting. The Bruins have allowed 26 goals in 12 games, and Carolina has surrendered 33 in 13.

The projected goaltending matchup also favors a lower-scoring contest. Boston's likely starter carries a .920 save percentage and 2.20 goals-against average, while Carolina's projected starter has a .916 save percentage and 1.70 goals-against average. Those numbers suggest neither offense should expect an easy night.

Best Bet: Under 6.0 Goals (-110 or Better)

Both teams can score, but I'm not convinced this turns into a wide-open game. Boston has been excellent defensively, and Carolina has enough structure to prevent opponents from generating easy chances. The danger is that both power plays get opportunities and push the game over. Still, with two strong defensive teams and capable goaltending, I'll take the under at six.

NHL Best Bet: Bruins-Hurricanes Under 6.0 (-110 or Better)

Los Angeles Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks Best Bet

Los Angeles comes into Tuesday at 2-5-2 after playing the Rangers in New York on Monday. The Kings won that game 6-3, but they now face a quick turnaround and another road assignment. Their goaltending has been inconsistent, and the schedule doesn't give them much time to recover.

Chicago is 3-8-0 and has struggled defensively, so the Blackhawks aren't exactly an easy team to trust. But they have home ice and the rest advantage against a Kings club that has been traveling extensively.

Best Bet: Chicago Blackhawks Moneyline (+100 or Better)

I'll take Chicago at even money or better. Los Angeles is the stronger team on paper, but playing consecutive nights on the road creates an opportunity for the Blackhawks. Chicago needs a better defensive performance than it has produced recently, and that is the obvious concern. Still, the schedule gives the home underdog a reasonable chance to win.

NHL Best Bet: Chicago Blackhawks ML (+100 or Better)

Montreal Canadiens vs. St. Louis Blues Best Bet

Montreal enters at 6-3-2 after beating Winnipeg 2-1 on Sunday. The Canadiens have been competitive defensively, and that victory showed they can win without needing a big offensive night.

St. Louis is 5-5-1 and has struggled to maintain consistency. The Blues have enough offensive talent to be dangerous, but they've also had difficulty preventing opponents from generating quality chances.

Best Bet: Montreal Canadiens Moneyline (+100 or Better)

I'll take Montreal at plus money. The Canadiens have been the more dependable team, and their ability to win close games gives them a reasonable opportunity on the road. St. Louis has home ice and could control the matchup if its offense gets going, but Montreal's recent defensive performances make the underdog price attractive.

NHL Best Bet: Montreal Canadiens ML (+100 or Better)

New York Islanders vs. Nashville Predators Best Bet

The Islanders enter at 5-4-2 after losing 6-3 to Dallas on Sunday. New York has shown enough offense to compete, but its defensive consistency has been uneven. The Islanders need a better performance in their own end if they're going to win in Nashville.

The Predators are 4-3-4 and coming off an impressive 6-2 victory over Colorado. Nashville has been involved in several close games, and its record includes four overtime losses. The betting total is only 5.5 goals, suggesting expectations for a relatively controlled contest.

Best Bet: Under 5.5 Goals (-110 or Better)

I'm taking the under. Both teams have shown they can score, but neither has been consistently explosive. Nashville's six-goal performance against Colorado is a concern, and the Islanders allowed six in Dallas. Still, the total is low for a reason, and I expect both clubs to put more emphasis on defensive structure after those recent results.

NHL Best Bet: Islanders-Predators Under 5.5 (-110 or Better)

New Jersey Devils vs. Dallas Stars Best Bet

New Jersey enters at 7-4-0 and has been playing better hockey recently. The Devils have won three straight, and their goaltending situation has improved considerably. That makes them a dangerous opponent for Dallas.

The Stars are 7-3-1 and coming off a 6-3 victory over the Islanders. Dallas has been productive offensively and has home ice, which gives the Stars a slight advantage in a matchup between two good teams.

Best Bet: Dallas Stars Moneyline (-130 or Better)

I'll take Dallas at home. New Jersey has been improving, and the Devils have enough offensive ability to win this game. But the Stars have been the more dependable team overall, and their recent offensive performance suggests they can create opportunities against New Jersey. At -130 or better, Dallas is the preferred side.

NHL Best Bet: Dallas Stars ML (-130 or Better)

Florida Panthers vs. Winnipeg Jets Best Bet

Florida comes into Tuesday at 6-4-2 after beating Chicago 3-2 on Sunday. The Panthers haven't been perfect, but they've demonstrated enough defensive consistency to remain competitive even when the offense isn't firing on every cylinder.

Winnipeg is 4-4-3 and has struggled recently. The Jets lost 2-1 to Montreal on Sunday, and their offense has had difficulty generating consistent scoring opportunities. Winnipeg also has defensive injury concerns that make this matchup more difficult.

Best Bet: Florida Panthers Moneyline (-130 or Better)

I'll back Florida on the road. Winnipeg has home ice and enough talent to turn things around, but the Jets haven't been playing dependable hockey. Florida has been more consistent defensively, and that should help the Panthers control the game if Winnipeg's offense continues to struggle. The price is reasonable enough to take the visitors.

NHL Best Bet: Florida Panthers ML (-130 or Better)

Minnesota Wild vs. Utah Mammoth Best Bet

Minnesota enters at 8-3-2 after consecutive road victories over Seattle and Vancouver. The Wild have been productive offensively and have demonstrated enough defensive consistency to win away from home. Their 4-2 victory over Vancouver on Sunday was another example of a team finding ways to finish games.

Utah is 8-4-0 and coming off a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory over Tampa Bay. The Mammoth have been dangerous offensively, but they've also allowed opponents to create scoring opportunities. Utah has home ice and a strong start of its own, making this one of Tuesday's more competitive matchups.

Best Bet: Minnesota Wild Moneyline (+105 or Better)

I'm taking Minnesota at plus money. The Wild have been the more dependable defensive team recently, and their road victories suggest they can handle difficult environments. Utah has enough offense to win, particularly at home, but Minnesota has shown the stronger combination of scoring and defensive structure. Getting plus money makes the Wild attractive.

NHL Best Bet: Minnesota Wild ML (+105 or Better)

Ottawa Senators vs. Vegas Golden Knights Best Bet

Ottawa enters at 8-4-0, while Vegas is 8-4-1. Both teams have started well, and neither has a major advantage in the standings. The Senators have been competitive away from home, while the Golden Knights remain difficult to beat in Las Vegas.

Vegas is favored around -150, which creates an interesting price for Ottawa. The Senators have enough offensive ability to compete, and this matchup looks closer than the moneyline might suggest.

Best Bet: Ottawa Senators Moneyline (+125 or Better)

I'll take Ottawa at the underdog price. Vegas has home ice and enough talent to win comfortably if the Senators struggle defensively. But Ottawa has been playing good hockey, and the difference between these teams hasn't been substantial through the opening weeks. At +125 or better, the Senators are worth backing.

NHL Best Bet: Ottawa Senators ML (+125 or Better)

Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks Best Bet

Vancouver has struggled through the opening weeks and comes into Tuesday after a 4-2 loss to Minnesota on Sunday. The Canucks have had difficulty maintaining defensive consistency, and now they face an Anaheim team that has been more dependable at home.

Anaheim is a heavy favorite around -204. That's a substantial price, but the Ducks have the stronger overall situation and should have opportunities against a Vancouver defense that has been allowing too many quality chances.

Best Bet: Anaheim Ducks Moneyline (-210 or Better)

I'll back Anaheim, although the price is expensive. Vancouver hasn't shown enough defensive consistency to inspire confidence, and the Ducks have home ice. The concern is that Anaheim could dominate stretches of the game without finishing its opportunities, allowing Vancouver to steal a close one. Still, the Ducks are the more likely winner.

NHL Best Bet: Anaheim Ducks ML (-210 or Better)

Buffalo Sabres vs. San Jose Sharks Best Bet

Buffalo visits San Jose as a modest favorite, with the Sabres priced around -136. The Sharks have home ice, but they've struggled defensively and have allowed opponents to create plenty of scoring opportunities.

Buffalo has been more dependable offensively and should have opportunities against San Jose's defensive structure. The Sharks are capable of producing an upset if their goaltending holds up, but Buffalo has the stronger overall matchup.

Best Bet: Buffalo Sabres Moneyline (-140 or Better)

I'll take Buffalo at the modest favorite's price. San Jose has home ice and enough offensive ability to make this competitive, but the Sharks haven't been dependable defensively. Buffalo should generate scoring opportunities, and the Sabres don't need an exceptional performance to win. At -140 or better, Buffalo is the preferred side.

NHL Best Bet: Buffalo Sabres ML (-140 or Better)

NHL Best Bet of the Day

Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes Under 6.0 goals (-110 or better) is my NHL Best Bet of the Day. Both clubs have started the season well, and their defensive numbers have been impressive. Boston has allowed just 26 goals in 12 games, while Carolina has surrendered 33 in 13. The projected starting goaltenders also have strong early-season numbers.

These offenses are dangerous, and special teams could make this a higher-scoring contest than expected. But both teams have enough defensive structure to prevent a constant exchange of scoring chances. I'll take the under in what should be one of Tuesday's better games.

Final Pick: Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes Under 6.0 Goals (-110 or Better)

Betting lines, starting goaltenders and player availability may change before puck drop. Confirm the latest odds and starting lineups before placing a wager.