NHL Picks & Predictions

Here is a free guide for your 25/26 NHL picks and betting tips. Keep reading to boost your hockey betting knowledge and make smarter picks this season!

25/26 NHL Presentation and Picks

The NHL is the most competitive hockey league in the world, featuring 32 franchises from the US and Canada. During the regular season, each team plays a total of 82 games, making it one of the longest seasons of any professional sport. When it comes to post-season, qualification for the playoffs is determined by the teams' position in the overall standings at the end of the regular season, so it is not unusual for the distribution of spots to be uneven between divisions (4 and 4).

However, it is important to take into account that, as it is a tournament with a large number of games to be played, teams sometimes have to play several games per week, so injuries and absences are constant in all teams without exception, and this tournament can even be described as a true test of physical and mental endurance.

This is a fundamental aspect to consider when making predictions in this competition. Below, we present the best tips and facts that can be beneficial when betting, both in the regular season and the NHL playoffs.

Grab a Bonus!

NHL Predictions: Who will win the 2025-2026 Stanley Cup?

Looking back on the 2024/25 season, it is important to note that it was a truly historic season following Alex Ovechkin's personal achievement of breaking the NHL's all-time scoring record. However, this was not enough for the Washington Capitals to lift either the Presidents' Cup or the Stanley Cup.

For their part, the Florida Panthers consolidated their project once again by winning their second consecutive Stanley Cup, a result that made perfect sense given how much the squad was strengthened just before the playoffs. However, what was a moment of pure joy for the Panthers ended up being another disappointment for the Edmonton Oilers, who finished as runners-up for the second consecutive year.

For the current season, there were no new franchises added to the league; however, there was a slight change in the Utah Hockey Club, a team that continues to evolve after joining last season and has been renamed the Utah Mammoth. Under this new image and with the additions they have made for the season, they are expected to increase their competitive level compared to what they showed in the 2024/25 season.

Despite this, it is a fact that there are teams whose roster gives reason to believe that, even though the season is just beginning, they are considered favorites to reach the final stages of the tournament once again, such as the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars. In addition, other teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes cannot be ruled out.

Our pick for the 2025/26 Stanley Cup champion is the Dallas Stars.

2025 Stanley Cup Futures

• Carolina Hurricanes +800
• Florida Panthers +800
• Edmonton Oilers +800
• Dallas Stars +850
• Colorado Avalanche +950
• Vegas Golden Knights +1000
• Tampa Bay Lightning +1000
• New Jersey Devils +1400
• Toronto Maple Leafs +1700
• Winnipeg Jets +1700
• Los Angeles Kings +2700
• Minnesota Wild +2700
• Washington Capitals +3000
• New York Rangers +3000
• Ottawa Senators +3300
• Vancouver Canucks +4500
• St. Louis Blues +5000
• Utah Mammoth +5500
• Montreal Canadiens +5500
• Buffalo Sabres +10000
• Columbus Blue Jackets +12500
• New York Islanders +12500
• Detroit Red Wings +12500
• Anaheim Ducks +15000
• Nashville Predators +15000
• Boston Bruins +20000
• Calgary Flames +20000
• Philadelphia Flyers +22500
• Seattle Kraken +22500
• San Jose Sharks +50000
• Pittsburgh Penguins +50000
• Chicago Blackhawks +5000

Odds provided by FanDuel.

NHL Top 4 Picks: Which teams will dominate their respective conferences?

For the 2025/26 season, it is a fact that teams that are close to or above their salary cap, such as the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and Edmonton Oilers, are strong candidates to dominate their divisions and, therefore, their conferences. In addition, it is essential to note that all of these teams have significantly strengthened their rosters, so they could even dominate from the early stages of the tournament.

As for the Metropolitan Division, it is a given that the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes promise to be major contenders once again, although they will most likely fall slightly behind in the race to dominate the Eastern Conference.

NHL Betting: Odds on teams finishing in the top 4 of each conference

Sportsbooks have already set their futures markets so that users can predict and bet on the teams that will come out on top in their respective conferences, with the odds divided as follows:

Eastern Conference Futures:

• Carolina Hurricanes +380
• Florida Panthers +440
• Tampa Bay Lightning +500
• New Jersey Devils +700

Western Conference Futures:

• Edmonton Oilers +410
• Dallas Stars +440
• Colorado Avalanche +490
• Vegas Golden Knights +500

Odds provided by FanDuel.

Despite this, the rest of the teams cannot be ruled out, as it is such a long season and even the best teams are susceptible to ups and downs and injuries. Therefore, teams such as the Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals, and Toronto Maple Leafs cannot be ruled out under any circumstances.

Sign Up Now

NHL Playoff Picks

Another long-term market that attracts a lot of attention is that of teams that will make the playoffs, a classification in which there is also a long list of teams whose level could allow them to make the playoffs despite not being contenders for the title.

Last season, there were some cases worth analyzing, such as the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Calgary Flames, who had extremely good season finishes, with some qualifying for the playoffs and others falling just short.

NHL: Playoff Odds

With this in mind, below are the odds offered by sportsbooks for the teams considered favorites to qualify for the playoffs. It should be noted that those not included in the list of title contenders will be included in order to increase the visibility of teams that have a chance of competing this season.

• Carolina Hurricanes −2000
• Vegas Golden Knights −1100
• Dallas Stars −1100
• Edmonton Oilers −1000
• Colorado Avalanche −1000
• Tampa Bay Lightning −500
• New Jersey Devils −425
• Toronto Maple Leafs −380
• Winnipeg Jets −290
• Florida Panthers −280
• Washington Capitals −240
• Los Angeles Kings −195
• Minnesota Wild −195
• Montreal Canadiens −145
• New York Rangers −140
• Ottawa Senators −140
• St. Louis Blues −110
• Utah Mammoth +100
• Vancouver Canucks +115
• Detroit Red Wings +170
• Columbus Blue Jackets +230
• Buffalo Sabres +230
• Anaheim Ducks +240
• Nashville Predators +260
• New York Islanders +320
• Seattle Kraken +330
• Boston Bruins +360
• Philadelphia Flyers +380
• Calgary Flames +450
• Pittsburgh Penguins +650
• San Jose Sharks +1400
• Chicago Blackhawks +1700

Odds provided by FanDuel.

Bonus Available Here

NHL Top Scorer Prediction: Which player will score the most goals?

Another key aspect of the upcoming NHL season that you should consider when betting is the top scorers, who are the key players on each team, so it's no surprise that they are also the highest paid.

In this regard, sportsbooks also open this market to find out which players are considered the favorites to fight for the top scorer title, although the market is not displayed as such, but under the name of Richard Rocket Trophy winner.

NHL Top Scorer Odds

According to the odds, the favorites to lift the trophy as the NHL's top scorer are:

• Leon Draisaitl +300
• Auston Matthews +340
• Kirill Kaprizov +550
• David Pastrnak +1400
• Nathan MacKinnon +1400
• Connor McDavid +1800
• Mikko Rantanen +1900
• William Nylander +2200
• Brayden Point +2200

Odds provided by FanDuel.

Grab a Bonus!

The NHL for Sports Betting Beginners

Betting on the NHL is an exciting experience due to the fast-paced nature of the sport and the high amount of upsets each season. That being said, there is a trio of popular bets that NHL bettors typically gravitate towards. The three most common NHL bets are Money Line bets, Puck Line bets, and Goal totals. 

Money Line bets are straightforward bets on who will win the match. These are the go-to bets for anyone looking to keep things simple and have a clear favorite for the match winner. Puck Line bets are the second most popular NHL bets which spice things up a bit by offering a goal spread. This spread is usually set at +/- 1.5 goals, meaning that you’re not just predicting the match winner but by how many goals. Betting on the favorite? They will need to win by 2 goals or more for you to win your bet. Fancy the underdog? You’ll win your bet if they either pull off an upset or keep the game within a single goal. 

The third most popular NHL bet is the Goal Totals bet (also known as a traditional over/under). Here you’ll bet on the the total number of goals to be scored by both teams in any given period or throughout the match. The sportsbook will set the expected amount before the match, and the bettor decides if they think it will be over or under that number. 

Each of these three types of bets offers a different way to increase the thrill of an NHL game. Whether you’re new to NHL betting or a seasoned pro, understanding these common bet types will make your NHL viewing much more exciting. 

Bonus Available Here

NHL Betting Tips for Beginners

Getting started with NHL betting is an exciting new adventure that can be as thrilling as a game-winning overtime goal. For beginners, making sense of all of the new terms, betting options, and betting strategies can be a bit overwhelming. Here are a few essential tips to keep in mind when starting out as a new NHL bettor. 

• Understand the basics
• Start small
• Do your homework
• Shop for the best odds
• Manage your bankroll

Bonus Available Here

Tip #1: Understand the basics

Before you go about placing a bet, be sure to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of the NHL match you’re thinking about wagering on. Check team standings, injuries/absences, and recent performance trends. Having a good grasp of this basic info, along with an understanding of the different bet types available, will go a long way in determining your betting success. 

Tip #2: Start small

As a new bettor, it’s easy to get carried away with excitement, especially when you see a potentially profitable line. It’s always wise for new bettors to start with small, manageable bets. Allow yourself a chance to gain some experience without risking a significant portion of your bankroll. As you become more comfortable and have a few wins under your belt, you can gradually increase your stakes.

Grab a Bonus!

Tip #3: Do your homework

Unfortunately, sheer love for the game isn’t enough to make you a successful sports bettor. Be sure to take time to research teams, players, and head-to-head records. Pay attention to factors like home advantage, rivalries and inter-division records. Having a good grasp of this info will pay dividends. You need to study this point before all hockey picks you make.

Tip #4: Shop for the best odds

There are several great online sportsbooks available to US bettors. Each book will offer different odds for each match, future, or player prop. Shopping around for the best odds on a line you’d like to take is essential in increasing your potential return on investment. Taking the time to compare odds will have a significant difference in the long run. 

Tip #5: Manage your bankroll

Our final tip for beginners is perhaps the most important: bankroll management. Effective bankroll management is setting aside a specific amount of money for betting and sticking to it. It’s about avoiding that temptation to chase losses with bigger bets or splurging on that new line because of the potential payout. This often leads to a slippery slope of risky betting behavior. Remember that sports betting should be enjoyed more as a hobby and shouldn’t put your financial well-being at risk. 

Sign Up Now

What Not to Do for NHL Predictions

Steering clear of common pitfalls is just as important as following best betting practices. When the stakes are high, a misstep can quickly derail your strategy and lead to an unnecessary loss. Here are some common betting mistakes to avoid when betting on the NHL: 

• Ignoring team schedules or back-to-back games
• Overvaluing home ice advantage
• Chasing losses
• Overreliance on star players
• Ignoring Defensive metrics
• Failing to shop for the best betting lines
• Disregarding the special team's performance

Taking these seven things into account when placing your NHL bet will help you make sure that you’re making the best decisions possible. Don’t forget that losses are part of the sports betting experience. How you react to a loss, however, can end up making all of the difference. 

Bonus Available Here

Stats to Consider for Your NHL Predictions

When it comes to numbers, another key topic you should be familiar with is statistical data, as it gives you an insight into the recent performance of teams and players, allowing you to establish a more accurate prediction of the possible outcome of a particular match under certain conditions.

With this in mind, here are the most notable statistics from the 2024/25 NHL season:

• Leading offensive player in points: Nikita Kucherov (121 points)
• Tournament top scorer: Leon Draisaitl (52 goals)
• Leading player in assists: Nikita Kucherov (84 assists)
• Goaltender with the fewest goals against: Connor Hellebuyck (2.00 goals per game)
• Leading defensive player in points: Cale Makar (92 points)
• Rookie of the Year: Lane Hutson (66 points)
• Team with the most points: Winnipeg Jets (116 points)
• Team with the most wins: Winnipeg Jets (56 wins)
• Team with the fewest losses: WAS Capitals, WIN Jets, and VGK Golden Knights (22 losses)
• Team with the most goals scored: Tampa Bay Lightning (292 goals)
• Team with the fewest goals against: Winnipeg Jets (190 goals)

These statistics make it abundantly clear that excellent offensive and defensive performances, such as those of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Winnipeg Jets, are useless if they are not capitalized on during the playoffs, a phase of the tournament where hockey is played in the most natural way possible and everything ends up coming down to the wire.

Grab a Bonus!

Conclusion: How to Get Your NHL Predictions Right Today?

Given the unpredictability of the NHL, where superior stats don’t always guarantee playoff success, it’s key for bettors to approach their picks with a nuanced understanding. As you refine your NHL predictions, remember the importance of considering a broad spectrum of factors, including schedules and roster changes. Let this guide serve as a stepping stone for success and remember to check out our free expert predictions available for each match of the 24/25 NHL season.

Sign Up Now

Our current NHL picks

NHL: Best Odds

Odds are not yet available for this competition.