NHL Picks Today: NHL Predictions, Props and Best Bets for Thursday, Nov. 5

Today’s Top NHL Picks at a Glance

• Hurricanes Moneyline (-178)
• Stars Moneyline (-128)
• Cutter Gauthier Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-135)

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Thursday's NHL schedule features 11 games, providing bettors with plenty of opportunities across the moneyline, puck line, totals, and player prop markets.

Several of the league's top teams are in action tonight, including the Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, and Edmonton Oilers. With some intriguing matchups, there are a few wagers worth targeting.

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

Hurricanes Moneyline (-178)

Hurricanes at Islanders — 7:00 p.m. ET

The Carolina Hurricanes have been among the NHL's best teams early this season, entering Thursday with a 12-3-2 record. Carolina has won 12 of its last 15 games and is averaging 3.76 goals per game while allowing just 2.29 goals per contest.

That combination of offensive production and defensive excellence makes the Hurricanes a difficult matchup for a New York Islanders team that's averaging just 2.9 goals per game. Carolina has also generated an impressive 32.9 shots per contest, giving it a significant advantage over an Islanders squad averaging 25.6 shots.

The Hurricanes are coming off a disappointing 4-1 loss to Nashville, but that result looks more like an outlier given their recent form. With Carolina holding a considerable advantage in both shot generation and goal prevention, the Hurricanes are an appealing road favorite.

Stars Moneyline (-128)

Stars at Blue Jackets — 7:00 p.m. ET

The Dallas Stars come into this one with a 9-5-1 record and have been particularly impressive defensively, allowing just 2.33 goals per game, the third-lowest mark in the NHL.

Dallas also boasts one of the league's best penalty kills, successfully defending 90.0% of its shorthanded situations. That could prove important against a Columbus Blue Jackets team converting just 17.1% of its power-play opportunities.

The Stars have won seven of their last 10 games, and they already defeated Columbus 3-1 on October 31. Dallas has also been effective away from home, posting a 4-1-1 road record.

With the Stars holding advantages in defensive efficiency, special teams, and recent form, there's plenty to like about their chances of earning another victory over Columbus.

Cutter Gauthier Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-135)

Ducks at Oilers — 8:00 p.m. ET

Cutter Gauthier has been one of the Anaheim Ducks' most dangerous offensive weapons this season, recording 10 goals and 15 points through 14 games. He's also been extremely aggressive when it comes to shooting the puck, registering 59 shots on goal for an average of 4.21 per game.

That kind of shot volume makes Gauthier a quality target against the Edmonton Oilers. Gauthier has averaged 3.75 shots across his eight career meetings with Edmonton, and he's demonstrated the ability to consistently generate opportunities regardless of the matchup.

The Oilers have enjoyed a strong start to the season, but that shouldn't discourage Gauthier from continuing to fire the puck. He's established himself as one of Anaheim's primary offensive threats and is averaging more than four shots per contest. Given his consistent involvement in the Ducks' offense, the over on his 3.5 shots prop catches my eye tonight.

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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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.