NHL Picks for October 29, 2026

NHL Picks and Predictions for Thursday, October 29, 2026

Thursday's NHL schedule has 11 games, and the betting board is a little more interesting than it first appears. Tampa Bay and Carolina are substantial home favorites, but there are several close matchups where getting the right price matters a whole lot more than picking the team with the bigger name.

Boston visits St. Louis, Montreal heads to Dallas, and Ottawa finishes the night against Los Angeles. There are also some ugly early-season situations involving Winnipeg and Vancouver that are worth examining.

Here are my picks for all 11 games, followed by the NHL Best Bet of the Day. For more hockey predictions, check out our free NHL picks.

Today's NHL Picks

Winnipeg Jets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Best Bet

Winnipeg hasn't been getting enough offense lately. The Jets have been involved in one low-scoring game after another, and that's a tough way to live when you're facing a Tampa Bay team that can create scoring chances in a hurry.

The Lightning have home ice and enter as substantial favorites. Their offensive ability makes them dangerous against a Winnipeg club that's been struggling to find goals, although the Jets can keep this competitive if their goaltending holds up.

Best Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline (-235)

I'm backing Tampa Bay, but the price is steep. Winnipeg's offensive problems make the Lightning the more likely winner, and Tampa Bay should have enough scoring opportunities to take control.

The Jets can still make this uncomfortable if they turn it into a defensive game. At -235, there's no room for getting cute with a big wager. Tampa Bay is the pick, but not my favorite price on the board.

NHL Best Bet: Tampa Bay ML (-235)

Utah Mammoth vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Best Bet

Utah has been competitive during the opening weeks, and the Mammoth have enough offense to punish teams that get careless defensively. Pittsburgh has been particularly dangerous at home, though, which makes this a closer matchup than the standings might suggest.

The Penguins have been involved in several higher-scoring games recently. That gives Utah an opportunity if the Mammoth can establish pressure early, but Pittsburgh's home record deserves some respect.

Best Bet: Utah Mammoth Moneyline (-130)

I'll take Utah at a manageable favorite's price. The Mammoth have enough offensive depth to take advantage of Pittsburgh's defensive mistakes, and I like their ability to create chances when the game opens up.

Pittsburgh could easily win this, particularly if the Penguins control the special-teams battle. But at -130, Utah is the side I'd rather have.

NHL Best Bet: Utah ML (-130)

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Carolina Hurricanes Best Bet

Carolina is one of the strongest teams on Thursday's board, and Columbus faces a difficult road assignment. The Hurricanes have been particularly dependable against Metropolitan Division opponents, and their ability to control possession makes life difficult for teams that struggle defensively.

Columbus has enough offensive talent to stay competitive, but the Blue Jackets have been inconsistent at preventing quality scoring chances. That isn't a weakness you want to bring into Raleigh.

Best Bet: Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 Goals (+110)

I'd rather take Carolina on the puck line than lay more than -230 on the moneyline. The Hurricanes have the stronger matchup, home ice and enough offensive ability to build a multiple-goal lead.

The concern is that Columbus hangs around and Carolina wins by one. That happens plenty in hockey, especially when a favorite is content to protect a late lead. Still, plus money makes the puck line more appealing than the expensive straight-up price.

NHL Best Bet: Carolina -1.5 (+110)

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings Best Bet

Chicago has struggled to keep opponents from generating scoring opportunities, and its early-season record reflects that. The Blackhawks can be competitive offensively, but their defensive mistakes have made it difficult to string together wins.

Detroit has been more dependable and gets this matchup at home. The Red Wings have enough offensive ability to exploit Chicago's defensive problems, and the betting market has them favored around -170.

Best Bet: Detroit Red Wings Moneyline (-170)

I'll take Detroit. Chicago has the talent to make this competitive if its goaltending holds up, but the Red Wings have the better home situation and should be able to create scoring chances.

It's not a cheap moneyline, but it's a more reasonable price than some of Thursday's heavier favorites. Detroit is the preferred side.

NHL Best Bet: Detroit ML (-170)

Boston Bruins vs. St. Louis Blues Best Bet

Boston has been one of the stronger teams during the opening weeks, and the Bruins have combined productive offense with dependable defensive play. They're not relying on winning every game 5-4, either. Boston has demonstrated it can control lower-scoring matchups.

St. Louis has home ice and enough offense to make this competitive. The Blues haven't been as consistent defensively, though, and that could become a problem against a Boston team that has been finishing its opportunities.

Best Bet: Boston Bruins Moneyline (-103)

Give me Boston at essentially even money. The Bruins have shown the stronger overall form, and I don't think the Blues' home-ice advantage is enough to make St. Louis the preferred side.

The concern is Boston's travel and the possibility that St. Louis controls the pace at home. But at -103, the Bruins are worth backing.

NHL Best Bet: Boston ML (-103)

Washington Capitals vs. Nashville Predators Best Bet

Washington comes into this matchup after beating Philadelphia 5-2 on Wednesday. The Capitals generated enough offense to control the game, but now they have to travel to Nashville and play on consecutive nights.

Nashville has been competitive, and the Predators get the rest advantage at home. That makes this a much tougher assignment for Washington than the standings alone might suggest.

Best Bet: Washington Capitals Moneyline (-105)

I'll take Washington at a near-even price, but this isn't a comfortable selection. The Capitals have enough offensive ability to win even when they're playing on short rest, and Wednesday's victory should give them confidence.

The danger is fatigue. Nashville has home ice, and the Predators could take advantage if Washington's legs disappear late. Still, the Capitals have enough scoring ability to get the job done.

NHL Best Bet: Washington ML (-105)

Montreal Canadiens vs. Dallas Stars Best Bet

Montreal has been competitive during the opening weeks, and the Canadiens have enough offense to make life difficult for Dallas. But the Stars have been one of the stronger teams in the Western Conference and have been particularly productive offensively.

Dallas gets home ice and is favored around -162. The Stars have enough scoring depth to create chances throughout the lineup, and Montreal will need a strong defensive performance to keep this close.

Best Bet: Dallas Stars Moneyline (-162)

I'm backing Dallas at home. Montreal has enough talent to win if the Stars make defensive mistakes, but Dallas has been the more dependable team and should generate plenty of scoring opportunities.

The Canadiens aren't an easy opponent, which is why I wouldn't chase this price much higher. At -162, Dallas is the preferred side.

NHL Best Bet: Dallas ML (-162)

New York Islanders vs. Minnesota Wild Best Bet

The Islanders have been competitive, but their defensive play has been inconsistent. New York has allowed opponents to create too many quality chances at times, and that's a difficult problem to solve against a Minnesota team that has been playing well.

The Wild have home ice and have shown they can win through both offense and defense. Minnesota has been particularly dependable in close games, which makes the Wild attractive even at a substantial favorite's price.

Best Bet: Minnesota Wild Moneyline (-190)

I'll back Minnesota at home. The Islanders can make this competitive if they keep the game tight through two periods, but the Wild have the stronger overall matchup.

The price is close to -200, so this isn't a bargain. Still, Minnesota has demonstrated enough consistency to justify the selection.

NHL Best Bet: Minnesota ML (-190)

Buffalo Sabres vs. Anaheim Ducks Best Bet

Buffalo has been more productive offensively than Anaheim during stretches of the opening season, and the Sabres have enough scoring ability to make the Ducks uncomfortable. Anaheim gets home ice, though, and has been capable of pulling off surprises.

The betting market has Buffalo favored around -129. That's a manageable number for a road team, but the Sabres still need to defend well enough to prevent Anaheim from turning this into a wide-open game.

Best Bet: Buffalo Sabres Moneyline (-129)

I'm taking Buffalo. The Sabres have enough offense to exploit Anaheim's defensive mistakes, and the price isn't particularly expensive.

The concern is Buffalo's own defensive consistency. If the Ducks generate enough odd-man rushes, this could go either way. But at -129, I'll back the visitors.

NHL Best Bet: Buffalo ML (-129)

Ottawa Senators vs. Los Angeles Kings Best Bet

Ottawa has started the season well and has been competitive away from home. The Senators have enough offensive ability to take advantage of opponents that struggle defensively, and they've been finding ways to win close games.

Los Angeles has had a difficult opening stretch, particularly in goal. The Kings get home ice, but their defensive inconsistency has made it difficult to trust them against a strong opponent.

Best Bet: Ottawa Senators Moneyline (-109)

I'll take Ottawa at essentially even money. The Senators have been the more dependable team, and Los Angeles hasn't shown enough defensive consistency to make me comfortable backing the Kings.

Home ice is the obvious concern, and Los Angeles has enough offensive talent to turn things around. But Ottawa has the stronger early-season form and the better price for my money.

NHL Best Bet: Ottawa ML (-109)

Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks Best Bet

Vancouver has endured a miserable opening stretch, and the Canucks haven't been dependable defensively. Their inability to protect leads and limit quality chances has made them difficult to back.

San Jose hasn't been perfect either, but the Sharks have been more competitive and get home ice. The betting market has San Jose favored around -185, which tells you just how far Vancouver's early-season expectations have fallen.

Best Bet: San Jose Sharks Moneyline (-185)

I'll take San Jose at home. Vancouver has enough talent to turn things around eventually, but I'm not betting on that turnaround until the Canucks show something defensively.

The Sharks aren't a team I'd usually rush to lay this kind of price with, and that's the concern. Still, the matchup favors San Jose.

NHL Best Bet: San Jose ML (-185)

NHL Best Bet of the Day

Boston Bruins Moneyline (-103) against the St. Louis Blues is my NHL Best Bet of the Day. Boston has been one of the more dependable teams in the league, and getting the Bruins at essentially even money is considerably more appealing than laying -200 or more on several of Thursday's favorites.

St. Louis has home ice and enough offense to make this a difficult game. But Boston has the stronger combination of offense and defense, and the price makes the Bruins my favorite wager on the board.

Final Pick: Boston Bruins ML (-103)

Odds are from an October 29 market snapshot. Starting goaltenders, injuries and prices may change before puck drop.