NHL Picks Today: 3 NHL Prop Bets, Predictions and Best Bets for Tuesday, October 20

Today’s Best NHL Picks at a Glance

• Canadiens Moneyline (-210)
• Connor McDavid Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-176)
• Zach Werenski Under 3.5 Shots on Goal (-125)

Tuesday brings a loaded NHL slate, giving bettors plenty of options across moneylines, totals, and player props.

With 11 games on the schedule, we can afford to be selective. Today's card features a home favorite facing a team on the second night of a back-to-back, plus two shots-on-goal props involving prominent players.

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

Let's dive into the best bets for today.

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

NHL Predictions Today: Player Props, Best Bets

Canadiens Moneyline (-200)

Sharks vs. Canadiens, 7:10 p.m. ET

The Montreal Canadiens are sizable favorites at home against the San Jose Sharks, but this looks like a spot where laying the juice is justified.

San Jose enters Montreal on the second half of a back-to-back after playing the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. That creates a significant rest disadvantage against a Canadiens team that has opened the season 4-3-1.

Montreal also has the offensive talent to take advantage. The Canadiens' speed should be especially difficult for a tired San Jose group to contain, and getting this matchup at Bell Centre only strengthens the case.

While the odds are steep, Montreal is my favorite side on Tuesday's slate.

Zach Werenski Under 3.5 Shots on Goal (-125)

Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets, 7:10 p.m. ET

Zach Werenski is one of the NHL's most offensively involved defensemen, but his current shot line looks a little inflated based on what we've seen so far.

Werenski is averaging only 2.3 shots on goal per game this season. He's also averaging 2.3 across his most recent 10-game sample, giving us a substantial cushion below Tuesday's 3.5-shot line.

The matchup with Toronto isn't enough to scare me away from the under. The Maple Leafs have surrendered 29.5 shots per game over their last 10, a fairly ordinary number, while the Columbus Blue Jackets have generated only 26.1 shots per game over that span.

Werenski always carries the upside to pile up attempts, particularly with his offensive role from the blue line, but asking him to get to four shots is a meaningful jump from his current baseline. At this number, the under is the side I prefer.

Connor McDavid Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-176)

Wild vs. Oilers, 9:10 p.m. ET

Connor McDavid's production has been absurd to begin the season as he enters today leading the NHL with 23 points.

Interestingly, that monster offensive output hasn't required huge shot volume. McDavid is averaging 2.3 shots on goal per game, which helps explain why FanDuel has kept his standard line at only 2.5 against the Minnesota Wild.

That's a number I'm willing to attack.

This Minnesota Wild-Edmonton Oilers clash should be one of the premier games of Tuesday's slate, and a competitive environment can keep McDavid heavily involved deep into the third period. He remains the centerpiece of Edmonton's attack at even strength and on the power play, so the opportunities should be there for him to be more aggressive as a shooter.

Three shots isn't asking for an outlier performance from a player who will have the puck on his stick as much as anyone on the ice.

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.