Free NHL Picks for September 29, 2026
Looking for today’s NHL picks? Below, you’ll find our predictions for all five games on opening night, including moneyline picks, puck line picks, totals, a best bet, and quick game-by-game analysis. We’ll update this page with new picks and track the 2026–27 season record as games are completed.
Today’s NHL Picks — September 29, 2026
The NHL regular season opens Tuesday with five games. The schedule and start times are confirmed by the league. The prices below are BetMGM lines posted September 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET; check the current number before placing a wager.
| Game | Time (ET) | Moneyline Pick | Puck Line Pick | Total Pick | Best Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes | 5:00 p.m. | Panthers ML (+110) | Panthers +1.5 | Under 6.5 | No |
| Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs | 7:00 p.m. | Maple Leafs ML (-110) | Canadiens +1.5 | Over 6.5 | No |
| New York Rangers at Boston Bruins | 8:00 p.m. | Bruins ML (-115) | Rangers +1.5 | Under 5.5 | No |
| Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers | 10:00 p.m. | Oilers ML (-275) | Oilers -1.5 (-110) | Over 6.5 | ✅ Yes — Oilers -1.5 |
| Chicago Blackhawks at Vegas Golden Knights | 10:30 p.m. | Golden Knights ML (-250) | Golden Knights -1.5 | Over 6.0 | No |
A note on the puck lines: A favorite moneyline pick and an underdog +1.5 pick can both win if the favorite wins by exactly one goal. They are separate wagers, and the +1.5 price may be too expensive even when the game projects to be close. At a total of 6.0, exactly six combined goals results in a push.
NHL Best Bet of the Day
Best Bet: Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (-110)
Edmonton is a substantial -275 moneyline favorite in the listed market, making a straight win an expensive wager. The -1.5 puck line at -110 offers a more useful price if the Oilers can turn their offensive advantage into a two-goal victory. Edmonton still needs to prove it can defend more consistently after allowing 3.23 goals per game last season, so the puck line carries real risk.
Vancouver’s goaltending situation strengthens the case for Edmonton. Thatcher Demko is still recovering from hip surgery and is not expected back for the opener; Kevin Lankinen is expected to start. That gives the Canucks a clear plan in goal, but they face a demanding road opener against an Edmonton attack capable of producing several goals. The best bet depends on that matchup remaining favorable after the starting goalies and lineups are confirmed.
Projected score: Oilers 5, Canucks 2
Official Best Bet: Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (-110)
Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes Pick
Picks: Panthers ML (+110) | Panthers +1.5 | Under 6.5
Carolina raises its Stanley Cup banner before facing Florida in the first game of the new season. The Hurricanes won the Cup last spring, while the Panthers enter healthier after injuries helped derail their previous campaign. Florida also added Brady Tkachuk, giving an already formidable group another source of offense and physical play. At +110, the Panthers offer a more appealing early price than laying -130 with Carolina.
This should be a difficult game for either club to control. Carolina’s defensive structure and home ice make the Hurricanes dangerous, but Florida has enough depth to keep the game close even if it falls behind. Panthers +1.5 is the safer side of that expectation, though its price must be checked before betting. Under 6.5 calls for a competitive game in which neither team repeatedly capitalizes on defensive mistakes. Confirm the starting goalies before treating the total as a firm play.
Projected score: Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2
Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs Pick
Picks: Maple Leafs ML (-110) | Canadiens +1.5 | Over 6.5
Toronto and Montreal begin their seasons with a rivalry game that is priced almost evenly. The Maple Leafs get home ice, while the Canadiens arrive after a run to the Eastern Conference Final. Toronto is the narrow moneyline pick at -110, but this is not a matchup with enough separation to make either side a strong favorite.
Canadiens +1.5 reflects the likelihood of a one-goal game even if Toronto wins. Over 6.5 takes a different route: it needs both teams to create enough chances to reach seven combined goals. The pick is more exposed to the goalie matchup than the moneyline selection, so check the confirmed starters and whether the total is still 6.5 before using it.
Projected score: Maple Leafs 4, Canadiens 3
New York Rangers vs Boston Bruins Pick
Picks: Bruins ML (-115) | Rangers +1.5 | Under 5.5
Boston opens at home as a modest favorite against a Rangers team trying to return to the playoffs. New York has added offense, but the first game will reveal more about how its new pieces fit together. With the sides priced closely, the Bruins’ home ice supplies the small edge for the moneyline pick rather than a case for a decisive win.
Rangers +1.5 allows New York to remain competitive and still cover in a one-goal Boston victory. Under 5.5 is a tighter call: a 3–2 finish wins, while one extra goal loses. That narrow margin makes the confirmed starting goalies especially important. If the total moves down to 5.0, the value of this under changes substantially.
Projected score: Bruins 3, Rangers 2
Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers Pick
Picks: Oilers ML (-275) | Oilers -1.5 (-110) | Over 6.5
Edmonton opens at home against Vancouver in the first game of a home-and-home set. The Oilers are the clearest favorite on Tuesday’s board, but their -275 moneyline offers a limited return. The -1.5 puck line is the preferred way to back Edmonton if its attack produces the separation implied by that moneyline price.
Vancouver expects Lankinen to start while Demko continues his recovery. Edmonton’s own defensive questions leave room for the Canucks to score, which is why Over 6.5 accompanies the two-goal Oilers projection. That total needs at least seven goals to win. The puck line remains the official best bet; the over is a separate selection that depends on Vancouver contributing to the scoring.
Projected score: Oilers 5, Canucks 2
Chicago Blackhawks vs Vegas Golden Knights Pick
Picks: Golden Knights ML (-250) | Golden Knights -1.5 | Over 6.0
Vegas begins at home after reaching last season’s Stanley Cup Final. Chicago has made changes to its defense and will be looking for progress from its young core, but the Golden Knights have the stronger case to win this opener. Their -250 moneyline is costly, so Vegas -1.5 is the more interesting side if a bettor expects a clear result.
Over 6.0 requires seven goals to win and pushes at six. It pairs with a Vegas win by multiple goals if Chicago contributes a goal or two and the Golden Knights create enough offense to reach four or five themselves. Because posted totals differ across sportsbooks for this game, make sure the number is 6.0 before using this selection; Over 6.5 is a materially different bet.
Projected score: Golden Knights 5, Blackhawks 2
Completed September 28, 2026. Starting goalies, lineups, betting lines, and broadcast details may change before puck drop. Confirm the current market before using any pick.
NHL Picks Record
The 2026–27 regular season begins September 29. Start the new season’s tracker at zero and update it after the opening-night results are final.
| Category | 2026–27 Record |
|---|---|
| Overall NHL Picks (Best Bet Not Included) | 0-0-0 |
| Moneyline Picks | 0-0-0 |
| Puck Line Picks | 0-0-0 |
| Total Picks | 0-0-0 |
| NHL Best Bets | 0-0-0 |
The overall row counts moneyline, puck line, and total selections. Best bets are tracked separately to avoid counting the same selection twice.
How to Bet NHL Games
NHL betting usually focuses on the moneyline, puck line, and game total.
A moneyline bet selects the team that wins outright. Check the sportsbook’s rules to confirm whether overtime and a shootout are included; a three-way regulation moneyline is a different market.
A puck line works like a spread and is commonly set at 1.5 goals. A favorite at -1.5 generally must win by at least two goals. An underdog at +1.5 covers by winning outright or losing by one. The price matters as much as the goal cushion.
A game total concerns the combined goals scored by both teams. An over wins when the score exceeds the posted number; an under wins when it stays below. A whole-number total, such as 6.0, pushes if the combined score lands exactly on that number. Check whether a sportsbook includes overtime and shootout results in its total.
What We Consider When Making NHL Picks
Our NHL predictions consider expected starting goalies, lineup availability, scoring and defensive form, special teams, schedule demands, home-ice advantage, and the price offered by the betting market. Goalie confirmation deserves particular attention: changing the starter can change both the side and total outlook.
Opening-night picks also require care with last season’s statistics. Rosters and roles have changed, and no club has a 2026–27 regular-season sample yet. We use prior performance as context, then reassess when current lineups and prices become available.
NHL Betting Tips
Compare prices before placing a wager. A team may be a reasonable moneyline pick at one number and a poor purchase after the line moves. The same applies to totals: Over 6.0 and Over 6.5 have different outcomes when a game ends with six goals.
Keep bet sizes consistent and record the line you actually used. A correct game prediction does not automatically make every market on that game a good bet, particularly when a puck line carries a steep price.
Responsible Gambling Reminder
Sports betting should be treated as entertainment, not guaranteed income. Only wager what you can afford to lose, never chase losses, and take a break if betting begins to create stress.
NHL Picks FAQ
Are these NHL picks updated daily?
We aim to update this page on NHL game days with the current slate, including moneyline, puck line, and total picks. Starting goalies and odds should be checked again before puck drop.
Do you cover every NHL game?
The opening-night table covers all five games on September 29. On larger slates, check the dated table at the top of the page for the games covered that day.
What is the best NHL bet today?
The September 29 best bet is Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (-110). Its reasoning and projected score appear in the “NHL Best Bet of the Day” section.
Do you track NHL betting results?
Yes. The record table separates moneyline, puck line, total, and best-bet results. It starts at 0-0-0 for the new regular season and should be updated after games become final.
Does an NHL moneyline include overtime?
A standard two-way NHL moneyline generally includes overtime and a shootout. A three-way or regulation-only market does not work the same way. Read the sportsbook’s market label and settlement rules before betting.
For more hockey coverage, visit our hockey picks hub.
For official schedules, team news, and lineup updates, visit NHL.com.
