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The last NHL weekend before the holiday stretch had a bit of everything: historic comebacks, star power on full display, and a couple of big-picture storylines that could matter in April.
The headline game was in Pittsburgh, where the Sharks pulled off one of the wildest rallies you’ll ever see. San Jose trailed the Penguins 5–1 midway through the third, then scored five straight to win 6–5 in overtime. John Klingberg finished it with his second of the night in OT, Tyler Toffoli put up two goals and two assists, and rookie phenom Macklin Celebrini had a goal and two helpers in the surge. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, blew yet another third-period lead and is now 0-1-3 in its past four, with eight OT losses on the season.
Out West, the Avalanche quietly reminded everyone they might be the league’s best team. Colorado’s 4–2 win over Nashville extended their home winning streak to 11 and kept them unbeaten in regulation at Ball Arena (13-0-2). Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist, pushing what’s already a Hart-caliber season, while Scott Wedgewood backstopped a group that’s taken points in 23 of its last 24 games.
If MacKinnon was making his MVP case in Denver, Connor McDavid was doing the same in Toronto. McDavid dropped two goals and an assist in a 6–3 Oilers win over the Maple Leafs, extending his point streak to five games with 15 points over that span. Vasily Podkolzin added two goals, Leon Draisaitl three assists, and Tristan Jarry looked solid in his Edmonton debut after the trade from Pittsburgh. The Oilers are 4-0-1 in their last five and starting to look like a problem again.
In Winnipeg, it was all about Connor Hellebuyck’s return. Back from arthroscopic knee surgery earlier than expected, he made 24 saves in a 5–1 Jets win that snapped Washington’s nine-game point streak. Gabriel Vilardi scored twice, and for the first time all year the Jets had their full lineup healthy — something coach Scott Arniel didn’t hesitate to point out as a difference-maker.
The Panthers also made a statement in Dallas, blanking the high-flying Stars 4–0. Brad Marchand (yes, now a Panther) posted two goals and an assist, Sergei Bobrovsky needed only 15 saves for his 52nd career shutout, and Florida tightened things up through the neutral zone in a way that had both coaches talking afterward. It was Dallas’ first time dropping back-to-back games since early November.
There were milestones and mini-dramas elsewhere. Patrick Kane scored his 498th career goal and added an assist as Detroit shut out Chicago 4–0, moving within two goals of becoming just the fifth U.S-born player to hit 500.
At Madison Square Garden, J.T. Miller dragged the Rangers back from 3–0 down against Montreal, scoring twice including the OT winner in a 5–4 comeback that snapped New York’s three-game skid.
The Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders both showcased resilience. Carolina blew an early lead in Philadelphia but still won 4–3 in a shootout, extending a dominant run against the Flyers (15–1–0 since November 2021).
The Isles, powered by 32 saves from Ilya Sorokin and a shootout winner from Emil Heineman, edged Tampa Bay 3–2 for their third straight victory and fifth straight at home.
Put together, the weekend felt like a preview of the league’s emerging tiers: the Avs and Oilers are surging, veteran-heavy teams like the Red Wings and Panthers are quietly solid, while the Penguins, Capitals and Stars are wrestling with inconsistency. And in San Jose, a young Sharks group just delivered the kind of comeback that can define a season.
For our start-of-the-season preview of the 25/26 NHL, keep on reading.
The 2025/26 NHL season is underway, promising a mix of elite talent, emerging stars, and compelling storylines for both fans and bettors. As teams jockey for playoff positioning, discussions across the NHL betting forums highlight a wide variety of opportunities. From established powerhouses to underdog squads hoping to break through, the ice is set for a season where every matchup can shift momentum and create value for the best NHL bets.
The Boston Bruins are widely regarded as one of the league favorites. Blending veteran leadership with young talent, they remain dominant in the Atlantic Division. Their goaltending and defensive discipline are among the league’s best, while forwards like David Pastrnak and a healthy supporting cast can turn any game into a high-scoring affair. Boston’s experience in deep playoff runs makes them a popular pick across NHL expert picks, particularly for bettors targeting season-long success or futures markets.
In the Central Division, the Colorado Avalanche stand out as a team built to contend. Their elite scoring lines, fast transitions, and aggressive forecheck have made them a league-wide offensive threat. Colorado’s ability to control pace and pressure opposing defenses makes them an attractive target for best NHL bets today, especially in overs markets and high-value prop plays.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are also among the favorites. Toronto boasts a top-heavy offensive unit that can overwhelm opponents, while Tampa Bay combines experience with strategic adaptability. Both teams are drawing attention across social media, especially when it comes to NHL predictions, offering angles for bettors looking to ride hot streaks early in the season, while our tipsters, providing free NHL picks, look to them for value.
While the league’s heavyweights dominate attention, several underrated teams could make noise. The New York Islanders, for instance, rely on a defensive-first system that frustrates opponents and generates tight contests. They frequently appear in NHL betting forum discussions as underdog candidates for upset wins.
The Dallas Stars are another team to watch. A defensive-minded roster paired with reliable goaltending makes them ideal for under bets or close-game situations. Similarly, the Florida Panthers carry upside if health and performance align; their speed and offensive depth can surprise opponents and provide value for best NHL bets today.
Other sleeper candidates include the Minnesota Wild and New Jersey Devils, teams with younger cores that could outperform expectations in favorable matchups. These squads often fly under the radar in mainstream picks, making them prime targets for savvy bettors exploring expert NHL picks and long-shot prop plays.
The schedule this season will test teams from the outset. Back-to-back games, long road trips, and tightly packed stretches will demand roster depth and consistency. Early-season matchups like Colorado vs. Toronto and Boston vs. Tampa Bay could set the tone for playoff seeding and momentum, while also generating discussion across NHL betting forum boards.
Another key storyline is how teams manage special teams. Power plays and penalty kills can swing games, especially in close matchups where goals are at a premium. Matchups featuring high-octane offenses against disciplined defenses — for example, the Avalanche facing the Bruins will be crucial for bettors targeting best NHL bets today, including totals and puck-line markets.
Goaltending will also play a pivotal role. Elite netminders like Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg) and Igor Shesterkin (NY Rangers) can carry teams through stretches where scoring is inconsistent. Their performances often influence both NHL expert picks and discussions in free NHL picks communities, particularly for single-game or multi-game props.
The 2025/26 NHL season offers a wide range of angles for bettors. High-scoring teams like Colorado, Toronto, and Vegas are natural candidates for Over Goals markets, while structured teams like Boston, Dallas, and the Islanders lend themselves to Tight / Under Games plays. Futures markets, including division winners, conference champions, and Stanley Cup odds, are already generating significant discussion in NHL expert picks forums.
Long-shot picks like Florida, Minnesota, and New Jersey offer value for bettors willing to risk early-season volatility. These squads can produce surprise results that skew lines and create profitable opportunities, especially for those following insights from free NHL picks threads or local NHL betting forum communities.
Teams built for long playoff runs — notably Boston, Colorado, and Toronto – have depth and resilience that allow them to withstand the rigors of a seven-game series. They also feature prominently in best NHL bets when considering prop bets, game-by-game strategies, and potential series outcomes.
This NHL season is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in recent memory. From elite contenders to underdog challengers, each week brings new betting angles and storylines. Whether following NHL expert picks, or looking for the best NHL bets today, fans and bettors alike have plenty of opportunities to engage with the action. Teams that combine depth, experience, and elite talent are expected to thrive, but the unpredictability of the NHL ensures surprises and value plays will abound throughout the season.
| Anaheim Ducks | Arizona Coyotes | Boston Bruins |
| Buffalo Sabres | Calgary Flames | Carolina Hurricanes |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Colorado Avalanche | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Dallas Stars | Detroit Red Wings | Edmonton Oilers |
| Florida Panthers | Los Angeles Kings | Minnesota Wild |
| Montreal Canadiens | Nashville Predators | New Jersey Devils |
| New York Islanders | New York Rangers | Ottawa Senators |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Pittsburgh Penguins | San Jose Sharks |
| Seattle Kraken | St. Louis Blues | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Vancouver Canucks | Vegas Golden Knights |
| Washington Capitals | Winnipeg Jets |
The NHL is a long season providing bettors and tipsters with numerous markets and opportunities. One way to find betting value is to consider historical results. Here we take a look at results from the 2018-19 NHL season. We begin by taking a look at win rates for home and away clubs.
The table below shows straight-up win-loss percentages for NHL teams given particular circumstances. We can see that home teams won just under 54% of all games last season, with that number climbing to 55.5% in regulation. The only anomaly was in overtime, where away teams won 55.4% of games played in overtime.
| Situation | WIN PCT | LOSS PCT |
|---|---|---|
| Home Teams | 53.7% | 46.3% |
| Away Teams | 46.3% | 53.7% |
| Home Teams Win In Regulation Time | 55.5% | 44.5% |
| Away Teams Win In Regulation Time | 44.5% | 55.5% |
| Home Teams Win In Overtime | 44.6% | 55.4% |
| Away Teams Win In Overtime | 55.4% | 44.6% |
| Home Teams Win In Shoot Out | 51.7% | 48.3% |
| Away Teams Win In Shoot Out | 48.3% | 51.7% |
Last season the average number of goals scored for an NHL home team was 3.17 goals with away teams scoring on average 2.86 goals, giving the average home team an advantage of 0.31 goals per game. When we consider individual team totals, we can see a distinct advantage for home teams as opposed to away. For example, home teams scored over 2.5 goals in almost 62% of games played last season, with away teams scoring over 2.5 goals in almost 56% of games played.
| OUTCOME | OVER PCT | UNDER PCT |
|---|---|---|
| Home Teams 1.5 Goals | 81.0% | 19.0% |
| Away Teams 1.5 Goals | 77.3% | 22.7% |
| Home Teams 2.5 Goals | 61.6% | 38.4% |
| Away Teams 2.5 Goals | 55.9% | 44.1% |
| Home Teams 3.5 Goals | 41.1% | 58.9% |
| Away Teams 3.5 Goals | 33.4% | 66.6% |
| Home Teams 4.5 Goals | 22.8% | 77.2% |
| Away Teams 4.5 Goals | 16.8% | 83.2% |
The average number of goals scored in an NHL game last season was 6.03 goals, with just over 53% of games seeing at least 6 goals scored. Just over 84% of games played saw at least four goals scored (over 3.5) with just over 22% of games seeing at least eight goals scored (over 7.5 goals).
| OUTCOME | OVER PCT | UNDER PCT |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Goals | 84.3% | 15.7% |
| 4.5 Goals | 75.0% | 25.0% |
| 5.5 Goals | 53.4% | 46.6% |
| 6.5 Goals | 42.7% | 57.3% |
| 7.5 Goals | 22.3% | 77.7% |
NHL betting adds an electrifying dimension to watching hockey, with various bet types catering to all levels of enthusiasts. By integrating solid NHL hockey predictions into their strategy, fans amplify the thrill of each game. Let’s break down the different bets that keep fans on the edge of their seats:
Each bet type presents its own set of challenges and rewards, appealing to a wide range of prediction styles and risk appetites. Whether they’re dissecting player stats for prop bets or going with gut feelings on moneylines, there’s something inherently exciting about laying down stakes based on today’s NHL hockey predictions. It transforms every pass, penalty kill, and power play into a moment brimming with potential payoff.
Want to learn more? Visit the bettingexpert Academy and read our ice hockey Sports Betting Guide.
The good news for anyone looking to bet on the NHL is all of the top online bookmakers now cover the NHL and provide an excellent range of betting markets, plus consistently strong NHL odds.
When choosing an online bookmaker, stick to the well-established big-name bookies and be sure that your bookmaker provides these four key elements:
Try and find the online bookmaker that provides the best overall coverage of the NHL. Your bookmaker should provide great odds, and a wide range of betting markets and cover NHL in depth, so check out several betting sites.
To find the ideal bookmaker for your moneyline picks, be sure to read our detailed bookmaker reviews.
Star ratings are based on our personal opinion of the bookmakers we work with. We also take customer feedback into account in our rankings
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