NHL Picks for October 31, 2026
NHL Picks and Predictions for Saturday, October 31, 2026
Saturday’s NHL schedule has ten games, and there are a few interesting spots worth looking at. Boston gets Chicago after a disappointing loss in St. Louis, Toronto visits Vancouver, and Calgary heads to Colorado for a difficult road assignment.
We’ve also got Pittsburgh visiting Montreal, Columbus heading to Dallas, and Edmonton facing the Islanders in an afternoon game. There are some obvious favorites, but I’m not interested in laying huge moneylines simply because one team has the better record.
Here are my picks for every game, followed by the NHL Best Bet of the Day. For more hockey predictions, visit our free NHL picks.
Today’s NHL Picks
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins Best Bet
Boston is coming off a rough 4-1 loss to St. Louis on Thursday. The Bruins had been one of the better defensive teams during the opening month, but they struggled to finish their opportunities against the Blues. Chicago presents an opportunity to get back on track.
The Blackhawks have had difficulty preventing opponents from creating scoring chances, and their early-season results reflect that. Chicago can be dangerous offensively when it gets opportunities, but the defensive consistency hasn’t been there.
Best Bet: Boston Bruins Moneyline
I’ll take Boston at home. The Bruins have been the more dependable team, and Chicago’s defensive problems give Boston an opportunity to respond after Thursday’s loss. The Blackhawks can make this competitive if their goaltending holds up, but Boston has the stronger matchup.
NHL Pick: Boston ML
St. Louis Blues vs. Detroit Red Wings Best Bet
St. Louis comes into Saturday with momentum after beating Boston 4-1 on Thursday. The Blues finally got their offense going, and their special teams played a major role in that victory.
Detroit has been more dependable at home and should have opportunities against a St. Louis team that has struggled for consistency. The Red Wings need to avoid unnecessary penalties, particularly after watching Boston get hurt on special teams.
Best Bet: Detroit Red Wings Moneyline
I’ll back Detroit at home. St. Louis is capable of winning if it carries Thursday’s momentum into this game, but the Red Wings have the stronger home situation. Detroit should generate enough scoring opportunities to win a competitive matchup.
NHL Pick: Detroit ML
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Nashville Predators Best Bet
Tampa Bay has enough offensive talent to make life difficult for Nashville, and the Lightning have been one of the stronger teams in the Eastern Conference. Nashville has been inconsistent, although the Predators can be dangerous when their offense gets going.
The Predators have home ice, which makes this more difficult than a simple comparison of records would suggest. But Tampa Bay has enough scoring depth to take advantage of defensive mistakes.
Best Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline
I’ll take Tampa Bay on the road. Nashville can make this competitive if it controls the pace and gets strong goaltending, but the Lightning have the more dependable offense. Tampa Bay is the preferred side.
NHL Pick: Tampa Bay ML
Edmonton Oilers vs. New York Islanders Best Bet
Edmonton has been scoring consistently, but the Oilers haven’t always been dependable defensively. That combination has produced some high-scoring games, and the Islanders have enough offensive ability to contribute if Edmonton gives them opportunities.
New York gets home ice, but the Islanders have also struggled to prevent opponents from generating quality scoring chances. That could be a problem against Edmonton’s attack.
Best Bet: Over 6.5 Goals — Target
I’ll look at the over if 6.5 is available at a reasonable price. Edmonton has enough offense to score four or five, and the Islanders should have opportunities against an Oilers defense that hasn’t been consistent. The concern is that one goaltender takes over the game, but the matchup suggests scoring chances at both ends.
NHL Pick: Over 6.5 — Target
Buffalo Sabres vs. Los Angeles Kings Best Bet
Buffalo has been more productive offensively during stretches of the opening month, while Los Angeles has struggled to establish defensive consistency. The Kings have home ice, but their goaltending has been an issue.
The Sabres need to avoid turning this into a wide-open game where both teams trade chances. Buffalo has enough scoring ability to win, but the defensive structure needs to hold up.
Best Bet: Buffalo Sabres Moneyline
I’ll take Buffalo on the road. Los Angeles can certainly win if its goaltending improves, but the Kings haven’t shown enough consistency to make me comfortable backing them. Buffalo has the more appealing offensive matchup.
NHL Pick: Buffalo ML
Ottawa Senators vs. San Jose Sharks Best Bet
Ottawa has been one of the more competitive teams in the Eastern Conference, and the Senators have enough offensive ability to create chances against San Jose. The Sharks have been better than expected in some games, but their defensive play remains inconsistent.
San Jose gets home ice, and that matters. Ottawa is traveling west, and the Senators need to avoid a slow start.
Best Bet: Ottawa Senators Moneyline
I’ll take Ottawa. The Senators have shown the stronger overall form and should generate scoring opportunities against San Jose. The Sharks can make this competitive if their goaltending holds up, but Ottawa is the more dependable side.
NHL Pick: Ottawa ML
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens Best Bet
Pittsburgh has been dangerous offensively, but the Penguins have also given opponents opportunities through defensive mistakes. Montreal has been more consistent defensively and gets home ice.
The Canadiens have enough offensive ability to take advantage if Pittsburgh gives them power-play opportunities. The Penguins can certainly score, but Montreal should have opportunities of its own.
Best Bet: Montreal Canadiens Moneyline
I’ll back Montreal at home. Pittsburgh has enough offensive talent to win this game, but the Canadiens have been the more dependable defensive team. Home ice gives Montreal another advantage in what should be a competitive matchup.
NHL Pick: Montreal ML
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Vancouver Canucks Best Bet
Toronto heads to Vancouver for a matchup against a Canucks team that has struggled badly during the opening month. Vancouver has had difficulty protecting leads and preventing opponents from generating scoring chances.
The Maple Leafs haven’t been perfect defensively, but they have enough offensive ability to exploit Vancouver’s mistakes. Toronto needs to avoid giving the Canucks easy opportunities, particularly early.
Best Bet: Toronto Maple Leafs Moneyline
I’ll take Toronto on the road. Vancouver has home ice and enough talent to turn things around eventually, but the Canucks haven’t demonstrated the defensive consistency needed to trust them. Toronto should generate enough offense to win.
NHL Pick: Toronto ML
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Dallas Stars Best Bet
Dallas has been one of the stronger teams in the Western Conference, and the Stars have been particularly productive offensively. Columbus has enough scoring ability to compete, but the Blue Jackets have struggled to prevent opponents from creating quality chances.
The Stars get home ice and should be able to control stretches of this game. Columbus needs a strong goaltending performance to keep things close.
Best Bet: Dallas Stars Moneyline
I’ll back Dallas at home. The Stars have the stronger offensive matchup and should generate plenty of scoring opportunities. Columbus can make this competitive if its goaltending holds up, but Dallas is the more dependable team.
NHL Pick: Dallas ML
Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche Best Bet
Calgary has been playing better recently after a difficult start, but the Flames face a tough road assignment in Denver. Colorado has enough offensive talent to create separation quickly, particularly when playing at home.
The Avalanche have been productive offensively, and Calgary needs to defend much better than it did during the opening weeks. The Flames can score, but they can’t afford to give Colorado repeated power-play opportunities.
Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche -1.5 Goals — Target
I’ll take Colorado on the puck line if a reasonable plus-money price is available. Calgary has improved, but the Avalanche have the stronger offensive matchup and home ice. The concern is that Calgary keeps this within one goal, which is always a danger when backing a puck-line favorite. Still, Colorado has enough firepower to win by two.
NHL Pick: Colorado -1.5 — Target
NHL Best Bet of the Day
Dallas Stars Moneyline against the Columbus Blue Jackets is my NHL Best Bet of the Day. Dallas has been one of the more dependable offensive teams, and Columbus has struggled to prevent opponents from generating quality scoring chances.
The Stars have home ice and should be able to create enough opportunities to win. Columbus can make things interesting, but Dallas is the preferred side.
Final Pick: Dallas Stars Moneyline