NHL Picks Today: 4 NHL Best Bets, Predictions and Props for Tuesday, October 13

Today’s Top NHL Picks at a Glance

• Avalanche-Stars Over 5.5 Goals (-134)
• Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-113)
• Nashville Predators Moneyline (+106)
• Edmonton Oilers Moneyline (-132)

Tuesday gives us a massive NHL slate, with 16 games on the schedule and plenty of intriguing betting spots from the early window through the late-night matchups.

The Edmonton Oilers enter the night unbeaten in regulation, the Vegas Golden Knights have opened 5-2-0, and Nathan MacKinnon has once again come flying out of the gates for the Colorado Avalanche. That gives us several strong angles to consider.

Let's dive into the best bets for tonight.

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

NHL Predictions Today: Player Props, Best Bets

Avalanche-Stars Over 5.5 Goals (-134)

The Colorado Avalanche-Dallas Stars game should be one of the best matchups on the slate, and I like attacking the total.

The Avalanche have already scored six or more goals three times through five games, including eight against Los Angeles, six against St. Louis, and seven against Calgary. Nathan MacKinnon has been at the center of that surge with 10 points through five appearances.

Dallas hasn’t been quite as explosive, but the Stars still have plenty of scoring talent with Mikko Rantanen and Jason Robertson leading the way. FanDuel has this total at only 5.5, with the over priced at -134.

Given Colorado’s early offensive form, I’d rather trust the scoring upside than try to pick a ML side in what FanDuel has priced as essentially a coin flip.

Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-113)

MacKinnon is once again one of the top volume shooters in the NHL, and his current 3.5-shot line is appealing.

He has fired 23 shots through five games, averaging 4.6 shots per game, while scoring five goals and adding five assists. He has also recorded at least four shots in three of his past five games this season after averaging 4.38 shots per game across 80 contests last year.

MacKinnon’s combination of heavy minutes, first-unit power-play work, and elite individual shot generation makes four shots a reasonable target in a game that should feature plenty of offense.

I’ll back MacKinnon to get to at least four shots on goal.

Nashville Predators Moneyline (+106)

This is my favorite plus-money side on the slate.

Vegas is 5-2-0 and is listed as a -128 road favorite, but Nashville has quietly started 2-1-2 and is getting +106 odds at home. More importantly, numberFire actually gives the Predators a 53.4% chance to win this matchup despite their underdog odds.

Nashville also comes home after taking four of a possible six points on a three-game road trip, including a shootout loss to Ottawa in its most recent contest. With Vegas playing its second game in as many nights after facing Minnesota on Monday, the situational edge makes the home underdog an enticing bet.

Edmonton Oilers Moneyline (-132)

The Edmonton Oilers have started the season 4-0-1, and I’m comfortable backing them to win against the Los Angeles Kings at these odds.

Los Angeles has struggled out of the gate at 0-2-2 while Edmonton has already shown the ability to win both high-scoring games and tighter contests. numberFire gives Edmonton a 58.8% win probability, which comes out to a -143 ML.

With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl driving an offense that still owns one of the highest ceilings in hockey, I prefer Edmonton on the moneyline tonight versus LA.

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.