Free NHL Picks for October 16, 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 — October 16, 2026
| Game | Time (ET) | Moneyline Pick | Puck Line Pick | Total Pick | Best Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Penguins at Colorado Avalanche | 9:00 p.m. | Avalanche ML (-220) | Avalanche -1.5 | Under 6.5 | No |
| Boston Bruins at Anaheim Ducks | 10:00 p.m. | Bruins ML (-115) | Bruins +1.5 | Under 6.0 | ✅ Bruins ML |
Lines used: Moneylines and totals reflect reported BetMGM markets as of October 15, 2026, at 11:00 p.m. ET. Puck line selections are listed without prices. Confirm current odds before betting.
Grading note: These are standard full-game selections. Exactly six combined goals pushes Under 6.0. Each moneyline, puck line, and total is graded separately.
NHL Best Bet of the Day
Best Bet: Boston Bruins Moneyline (-115)
Boston has scored 17 goals and allowed five during its three-game winning streak. The latest result was Tuesday’s 6–3 victory at San Jose, following comfortable wins over Utah and Philadelphia. At -115, we can back that improvement without paying the much larger price attached to Colorado.
The San Jose game also supplies a reason to keep expectations realistic. Boston was outshot 38–26, so the final score overstated how comfortably it controlled the game. Anaheim is 4–2–0 and has already shown it can beat good opponents. This should be a more demanding assignment than simply extending Boston’s recent scoring margins.
Anaheim’s availability is another factor. Ryan Poehling remains out with a sprained MCL, while Cutter Gauthier’s status needs confirmation after he missed Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury. Those concerns strengthen Boston’s case, but the selection also rests on its recent scoring and goal prevention. At -115, the break-even probability is approximately 53.5%. I prefer that price to laying -220 with the Avalanche.
Projected score: Bruins 3, Ducks 2
Official Best Bet: Boston Bruins ML (-115)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Colorado Avalanche Pick
Picks: Avalanche ML (-220) | Avalanche -1.5 | Under 6.5
Pittsburgh enters at 3–3–1 after Tuesday’s 5–3 loss at Chicago. The Penguins have won once in their last five games, with that victory coming in a shootout against Dallas. Colorado is 4–2–1 after splitting its home-and-home series with the Stars. The Avalanche scored only five combined goals in those two games, but their overall scoring potential and home ice give them the stronger winner case here.
Avalanche -1.5 requires Colorado to turn that advantage into a two-goal margin. It is a more aggressive wager than the moneyline, especially against a Pittsburgh team that has stayed close in several recent defeats. Under 6.5 follows a projection in which Colorado does most of the scoring and Pittsburgh struggles to contribute enough for seven goals. A late empty-net goal could help the puck line without necessarily beating the under.
Projected score: Avalanche 4, Penguins 2
Boston Bruins vs Anaheim Ducks Pick
Picks: Bruins ML (-115) | Bruins +1.5 | Under 6.0
Boston brings a 5–2–0 record into Anaheim, while the Ducks are 4–2–0 following Tuesday’s 4–2 loss to Calgary. Both teams have been idle since Tuesday, so neither gets a rest advantage. The Bruins have the better recent results, but Anaheim’s early success makes a close road victory a more sensible expectation than another Boston blowout.
Bruins +1.5 is the preferred puck line, subject to checking its price. Under 6.0 anticipates Anaheim making Boston work harder for its goals while the Ducks’ injury concerns limit their own offense. That total is less convincing than the moneyline because Boston’s attack has been productive and Anaheim remains capable of scoring. Six provides push protection, but I would reassess the under if the number drops to 5.5.
Projected score: Bruins 3, Ducks 2
Prepared October 16, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, and lineup assignments may change before puck drop. Confirm current prices, availability, and goaltending assignments before using any selection.
NHL Picks Record
| Category | 2026–27 Record |
|---|---|
| Overall NHL Picks (Best Bet Not Included) | 149-97-5 |
| Moneyline Picks | 55-45-0 |
| Puck Line Picks | 68-32-0 |
| Total Picks | 51-42-7 |
| NHL Best Bets | 7-8-0 |
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.
