NHL Picks Today: NHL Predictions, Props and Best Bets for Thursday, Nov. 12

Today’s Top NHL Picks at a Glance

• Minnesota Wild Moneyline (-170)
• Buffalo Sabres Moneyline (-154)
• Matthew Tkachuk 1+ Assists (-132)

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Whether it's moneylines, goal props, or who lights the lamp, there are plenty of ways to bet on NHL action all season. It's a long 82-game campaign, meaning that the best selections of each night can be very different based on backup goalies coming into play, injuries that add up, and if teams are due for positive or negative swings.

Let's dive into the best bets for tonight.

For additional NHL insights, check out FanDuel Research's daily NHL 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

Minnesota Wild Moneyline (-170)

Wild at Maple Leafs — 7:00 p.m. ET

Minnesota enters Thursday at 13-3-4 while Toronto sits at 8-10-2. The biggest difference is in the defensive numbers: the Wild have allowed a league-low 2.20 goals and just 25.8 shots on goal per game. The Maple Leafs have surrendered 3.45 goals and 29.5 shots per game, creating a considerably more favorable environment for Minnesota’s offense.

The Wild also boast a 27.1% power-play conversion rate, compared with Toronto’s 28.1%, so both teams can threaten with the extra skater.

The clearer advantage is in goal prevention where Minnesota’s season-long numbers have been substantially better.

Minnesota is 7-1-2 over its last 10 outings; Toronto is 4-6-0 and has dropped four straight.

Even at these -170 odds, the Minnesota ML is the side I want to be on.

Matthew Tkachuk 1+ Assists (-132)

Red Wings at Panthers — 7:30 p.m. ET

Tkachuk has 23 assists in 19 games this season, giving him an excellent foundation for an assists prop. He has picked up at least one helper in each of his last five appearances and in seven of his last 10, including an assist against Detroit in the Panthers’ November 2 meeting with the Red Wings.

His playmaking is more than an even-strength story. Fourteen of his 27 points this season have come on the power play, and he has averaged 18:51 of ice time per game. That combination gives him multiple routes to an assist.

Tkachuk’s distribution role and recent production make this my favorite player prop today.

Buffalo Sabres Moneyline (-154)

Sabres at Blackhawks — 8:00 p.m. ET

Chicago enters the night 4-13-1 and has been outscored 76-39 through 18 games. Its 4.22 goals allowed per game and 30.67 shots surrendered per contest underscore the defensive issues while the Blackhawks’ own offense has managed only 2.17 goals per game.

Buffalo is 8-7-3 after Wednesday’s 8-3 loss to Tampa Bay, so there is some back-to-back risk here. Still, the Sabres are 4-1-3 on the road, and Chicago is in the middle of a six-game losing streak. The Blackhawks are just 1-8-1 over their last 10 and have scored only 1.8 goals per game in that stretch.

This is less a bet on Buffalo being an elite team and more a matchup against Chicago’s glaring combination of low scoring and weak goal prevention — even with the Sabres at a rest disadvantage.

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.