NHL Picks Today: 3 NHL Best Bets, Predictions and Props for Monday, October 19

Today’s Top NHL Picks at a Glance

• Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+108)
• Sharks-Maple Leafs Over 6.5 (-122)
• Clayton Keller Over 1+ Assists (-134)

Monday’s NHL slate gives us a compact four-game card to work with, but there are still a few betting spots that stand out.

Our best bets for October 19 include a player prop, a puck-line wager, and a game total. With Colorado in a favorable matchup, Toronto and San Jose shaping up as a potential shootout, and Clayton Keller drawing an appealing setup against Pittsburgh, there are multiple ways to attack the board.

Here are our three best NHL bets for Monday.

For additional NHL insights, check out FanDuel Research's daily NHL player prop projections, which are powered by numberFire.

NHL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

NHL Predictions Today: Player Props, Best Bets

Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+108)

Avalanche vs. Flyers, 7:10 p.m. ET

The matchup is about as lopsided as Monday’s slate offers. The Colorado Avalanche enter averaging 4.50 goals per game while the Philadelphia Flyers are producing only 1.40. The Flyers have also been outscored by 20 goals through their first 10 games.

Colorado's offensive ceiling is especially enticing. Nathan MacKinnon has produced 11 points over his last five games, and the Avalanche have several additional high-end scoring threats in Martin Necas, Cale Makar and Artturi Lehkonen.

Philadelphia simply hasn't generated enough offense to give itself much margin for error against the Avs’ high-octane attack.

Sharks-Maple Leafs Over 6.5 (-122)

Sharks vs. Maple Leafs, 7:40 p.m. ET

Monday's San Jose Sharks-Toronto Maple Leafs matchup looks like the best environment for goals.

Toronto is averaging 3.22 goals per game but has also surrendered 3.44 per contest. San Jose's defense has been even shakier at 3.50 goals allowed per game, putting both clubs in the bottom portion of the league defensively.

There is also enough high-end offensive talent to punish those defensive issues. Auston Matthews has six goals in nine games and has scored four times over his last four while Macklin Celebrini has been carrying San Jose's attack and has 11 points through six appearances.

Toronto's power play has converted at a 26.7% clip while San Jose sits at 23.1%, so penalties could provide another route to offense.

With the two teams combining to allow nearly seven goals per game, I’m comfortable backing this matchup to get to seven.

Clayton Keller Over 1+ Assists (-134)

Penguins vs. Mammoth, 9:10 p.m. ET

Clayton Keller’s assist prop is a more interesting way to attack Monday’s slate, especially with the Utah Mammoth hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Keller has eight assists through nine games this season, and four of those have been primary helpers. He has recorded an assist in two of his last four games and continues to skate alongside Nick Schmaltz on Utah’s top line while also seeing first-unit power-play work.

That role matters against a Pittsburgh team that has shown some vulnerability defensively, surrendering at least five goals in three straight outings.

Keller remains one of Utah’s primary puck distributors, giving him multiple paths to an assist at even strength or on the man advantage.

NHL Betting -- Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Puck Line in NHL Betting?

The puck line is hockey's version of a point spread. The standard puck line is usually set at 1.5 goals, meaning a team listed at -1.5 must win by at least two goals for the bet to cash. A team at +1.5 can either win outright or lose by one goal.

What Does the Moneyline Mean in NHL Betting?

A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game. Favorites have negative odds, while underdogs have positive odds. Unlike the puck line, the margin of victory does not matter.

What Are NHL Player Props?

NHL player props allow bettors to wager on an individual player's performance rather than the final result of the game. Common markets include goals, assists, points, shots on goal, and goalie saves.

What Should You Consider When Betting on NHL Games?

Several factors can influence NHL betting decisions, including starting goaltenders, injuries, recent team performance, special-teams play, expected line combinations, and whether a team is playing on consecutive nights. Because goalie confirmations can significantly impact a matchup, it can be useful to check the latest lineup news before placing a bet.

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Which NHL bets stand out to you today? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's NHL odds to see the full menu of options.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.