NHL Slate Analysis — Saturday, October 17, 2026

Saturday, October 17, 2026 · NHL

These games have been played. Picks and prices, where shown, are AiQ's from before each game started. See how they finished in the NHL recaps.

The NHL slate for Saturday, October 17, 2026 has 14 games, the first at 12:00 PM CT. AiQ has a moneyline pick on all 14. None of AiQ's picks on this slate has a price on record above fair value. Each price is the one AiQ valued the pick at when it last priced the game.

Every game

New Jersey Devils at Washington Capitals

12:00 PM CT at Capital One Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is New Jersey Devils 3, Washington Capitals 3. That is an average, not a pick.

Both teams have won 4 of their 7 games this season. When these teams last met, on April 2, 2026, the New Jersey Devils won 7-3 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jake Allen (confirmed, .885 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the New Jersey Devils and Logan Thompson (confirmed, .904 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Washington Capitals.
• Mismatch in shots. The New Jersey Devils averaged 35.6 shots on goal per game this season, the most in the NHL, and the Washington Capitals allowed 29.6 shots on goal per game, tied for the 6th most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Washington Capitals a 52.7% chance to beat New Jersey Devils. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -115 at Fanatics, is priced below the fair price of -112 (−1.4% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 46.0% and the under at 54.0%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.4 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives New Jersey Devils +1.5 a 70.1% chance to cover and Washington Capitals -1.5 29.9%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Recent results against the puck line back the Washington Capitals. The New Jersey Devils failed to cover the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

Carolina Hurricanes at Winnipeg Jets

2:30 PM CT at Canada Life Centre. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Carolina Hurricanes 4, Winnipeg Jets 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Carolina Hurricanes have won 6 of their 8 games this season, winning the last six. The Winnipeg Jets have won 4 of their 7 games this season. The Carolina Hurricanes come in with more rest: their last game was on October 13, four days before this one, while the Winnipeg Jets played two days before. When these teams last met, on November 28, 2025, the Carolina Hurricanes won 5-1 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Pyotr Kochetkov (confirmed, .911 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Carolina Hurricanes and Clay Stevenson (confirmed) for the Winnipeg Jets.
• Strength against strength on the power play. The Winnipeg Jets scored on 31.6% of their power plays this season, the 3rd highest in the NHL, and the Carolina Hurricanes allowed opponents to score on 6.7% of their power plays, the 2nd lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Carolina Hurricanes a 65.3% chance to beat Winnipeg Jets. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -200 at BetMGM, is priced below the fair price of -188 (−2.1% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 46.0% and the under at 54.0%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.4 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 a 42.1% chance to cover and Winnipeg Jets +1.5 57.9%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Recent results against the puck line back the Carolina Hurricanes. The Carolina Hurricanes covered the puck line in 5 straight games.

Vancouver Canucks at Tampa Bay Lightning

3:00 PM CT at Benchmark International Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Vancouver Canucks 2, Tampa Bay Lightning 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Vancouver Canucks have won 2 of their 9 games this season, losing the last six. The Tampa Bay Lightning have won 5 of their 7 games this season. When these teams last met, on March 19, 2026, the Tampa Bay Lightning won 6-2 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Kevin Lankinen (confirmed, .786 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Vancouver Canucks and Dennis Hildeby (confirmed) for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• An uphill climb in shots. The Vancouver Canucks averaged 21.8 shots on goal per game this season, tied for the 2nd fewest in the NHL, and the Tampa Bay Lightning allowed 24.3 shots on goal per game, the 5th fewest.
• Weakness against weakness on the power play. The Tampa Bay Lightning scored on 7.4% of their power plays this season, the lowest in the NHL, and the Vancouver Canucks allowed opponents to score on 40.0% of their power plays, the 2nd highest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Tampa Bay Lightning a 77.7% chance to beat Vancouver Canucks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -375 at Fanatics, is priced below the fair price of -348 (−1.6% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 51.2% and the under at 48.8%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.7 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Vancouver Canucks +2.5 a 53.8% chance to cover and Tampa Bay Lightning -2.5 46.2%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Recent results against the puck line back the Vancouver Canucks, the underdog here. The Tampa Bay Lightning failed to cover the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

Recent totals lean under. The Tampa Bay Lightning went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Seattle Kraken at Florida Panthers

5:00 PM CT at Amerant Bank Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Seattle Kraken 3, Florida Panthers 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Seattle Kraken have won 5 of their 8 games this season, winning three of the last five. The Florida Panthers have won 4 of their 8 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on March 24, 2026, the Florida Panthers won 5-4 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Joey Daccord (confirmed, .913 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Seattle Kraken and Jacob Markstrom (confirmed, .905 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Florida Panthers.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Florida Panthers a 63.9% chance to beat Seattle Kraken. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -185, is priced below the fair price of -177 (−1.6% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 45.4% and the under at 54.6%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.3 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Seattle Kraken +1.5 a 59.8% chance to cover and Florida Panthers -1.5 40.2%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Against the puck line, the records lean toward the Seattle Kraken. The Florida Panthers failed to cover the puck line in 5 of 5 games as favorites this season. The Seattle Kraken covered the puck line in 4 straight games.

New York Islanders at Toronto Maple Leafs

6:00 PM CT at Scotiabank Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is New York Islanders 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The New York Islanders have won 3 of their 7 games this season. The Toronto Maple Leafs have won 3 of their 8 games this season, winning two of the last five. When these teams last met, on September 30, 2026, the Toronto Maple Leafs won 2-1 at home. This is their second meeting this season.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Ilya Sorokin (confirmed, .934 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the New York Islanders and Sergei Bobrovsky (confirmed, .896 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Toronto Maple Leafs a 55.8% chance to beat New York Islanders. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -135, is priced below the fair price of -126 (−2.9% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 46.5% and the under at 53.5%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.4 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives New York Islanders +1.5 a 66.6% chance to cover and Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 33.4%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

The total pulls both ways. The last 5 games involving the Toronto Maple Leafs went over the total. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Recent results against the puck line back the New York Islanders, the underdog here. The New York Islanders covered the puck line in each of the last 4 meetings with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Buffalo Sabres at Montreal Canadiens

6:00 PM CT at Bell Centre. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Buffalo Sabres 3, Montreal Canadiens 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Buffalo Sabres have won 4 of their 8 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Montreal Canadiens have won 3 of their 7 games this season. When these teams last met, on October 13, 2026, the Montreal Canadiens won 4-3 at home. This is their second meeting this season.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (not yet confirmed, .854 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Buffalo Sabres and Jacob Fowler (confirmed, .908 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Montreal Canadiens.
• Weakness against weakness on the power play. The Montreal Canadiens scored on 13.6% of their power plays this season, the 6th lowest in the NHL, and the Buffalo Sabres allowed opponents to score on 38.5% of their power plays, the 4th highest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Montreal Canadiens a 56.5% chance to beat Buffalo Sabres. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -142, is priced below the fair price of -130 (−3.6% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 50.0% and the under at 50.0%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.6 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Buffalo Sabres +1.5 a 65.5% chance to cover and Montreal Canadiens -1.5 34.5%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Recent results against the puck line back the Buffalo Sabres, the underdog here. The Montreal Canadiens failed to cover the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

San Jose Sharks at Detroit Red Wings

6:00 PM CT at Little Caesars Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is San Jose Sharks 3, Detroit Red Wings 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The San Jose Sharks have won 4 of their 7 games this season. The Detroit Red Wings have won 2 of their 7 games this season. When these teams last met, on January 16, 2026, the Detroit Red Wings won 4-2 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Alex Nedeljkovic (confirmed) for the San Jose Sharks and John Gibson (confirmed, .863 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Detroit Red Wings.
• Weakness against weakness in scoring. The Detroit Red Wings averaged 2.29 goals per game this season, the 5th fewest in the NHL, and the San Jose Sharks allowed 3.57 goals per game, the 8th most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Detroit Red Wings a 58.1% chance to beat San Jose Sharks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -148 at Caesars, is priced below the fair price of -138 (−2.7% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 47.8% and the under at 52.2%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.5 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives San Jose Sharks +1.5 a 64.1% chance to cover and Detroit Red Wings -1.5 35.9%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Recent results against the puck line back the San Jose Sharks, the underdog here. The Detroit Red Wings failed to cover the puck line in 4 of 5 home games this season.

Ottawa Senators at Philadelphia Flyers

6:00 PM CT at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Ottawa Senators 3, Philadelphia Flyers 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Philadelphia Flyers have lost 13 straight, a run that goes back to last season's playoffs, and all nine of their games this season. The Ottawa Senators have won 6 of their 8 games this season, winning four of the last five. When these teams last met, on October 8, 2026, the Ottawa Senators won 2-1 at home. This is their second meeting this season.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Linus Ullmark (confirmed, .949 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Ottawa Senators and Dan Vladar (confirmed, .875 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Philadelphia Flyers.
• Weakness against weakness in shots. The Ottawa Senators averaged 22.6 shots on goal per game this season, the 4th fewest in the NHL, and the Philadelphia Flyers allowed 33.7 shots on goal per game, the most.
• An uphill climb in scoring. The Philadelphia Flyers averaged 1.22 goals per game this season, the fewest in the NHL, and the Ottawa Senators allowed 2.50 goals per game, tied for the 7th fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Ottawa Senators a 58.9% chance to beat Philadelphia Flyers. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -150 at BetRivers, is priced below the fair price of -143 (−1.8% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 goals at 48.4% and the under at 51.6%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 5.8 goals, sits on the 5.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Ottawa Senators -1.5 a 34.5% chance to cover and Philadelphia Flyers +1.5 65.5%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Everything points under on the total. Each of the last 4 meetings between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Ottawa Senators went under the total. The Philadelphia Flyers went under the total in 8 of their last 10 games. The Ottawa Senators went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Against the puck line, the records lean toward the Philadelphia Flyers. The Philadelphia Flyers covered the puck line in each of the last 4 meetings with the Ottawa Senators. The Ottawa Senators failed to cover the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

New York Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets

6:00 PM CT at Nationwide Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is New York Rangers 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The New York Rangers have won 6 of their 9 games this season, winning three of the last five. The Columbus Blue Jackets have won 2 of their 5 games this season. The Columbus Blue Jackets come in with more rest: their last game was on October 13, four days before this one, while the New York Rangers played two days before. When these teams last met, on March 19, 2026, the Columbus Blue Jackets won 6-3 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Dylan Garand (confirmed, .915 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the New York Rangers and Jet Greaves (confirmed, .874 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Columbus Blue Jackets a 55.0% chance to beat New York Rangers. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -132 at Caesars, is priced below the fair price of -122 (−3.4% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 46.9% and the under at 53.1%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.4 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives New York Rangers +1.5 a 67.2% chance to cover and Columbus Blue Jackets -1.5 32.8%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Against the puck line, the records lean toward the New York Rangers. The Columbus Blue Jackets failed to cover the puck line in 4 straight games. The New York Rangers covered the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

Dallas Stars at Chicago Blackhawks

6:00 PM CT at United Center. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Dallas Stars 4, Chicago Blackhawks 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Dallas Stars have won 3 of their 7 games this season. The Chicago Blackhawks have won 3 of their 8 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on March 8, 2026, the Dallas Stars won 4-3 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jake Oettinger (confirmed, .943 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Dallas Stars and Spencer Knight (confirmed, .891 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Chicago Blackhawks.
• Weakness against weakness in scoring. The Dallas Stars averaged 2.14 goals per game this season, the 3rd fewest in the NHL, and the Chicago Blackhawks allowed 4.00 goals per game, the 5th most.
• An uphill climb in shots. The Chicago Blackhawks averaged 21.8 shots on goal per game this season, tied for the 2nd fewest in the NHL, and the Dallas Stars allowed 23.1 shots on goal per game, tied for the 2nd fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Dallas Stars a 66.7% chance to beat Chicago Blackhawks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -213 at Caesars, is priced below the fair price of -200 (−2.0% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6 goals at 49.8% and the under at 50.2%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.3 goals, sits on the 6 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Dallas Stars -1.5 a 43.4% chance to cover and Chicago Blackhawks +1.5 56.6%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

The total pulls both ways. Each of the last 3 meetings between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars went over the total. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks went over the total in 7 of their last 10 games. The Dallas Stars went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Recent results against the puck line back the Chicago Blackhawks, the underdog here. The Chicago Blackhawks covered the puck line in each of the last 3 meetings with the Dallas Stars.

St. Louis Blues at Nashville Predators

7:00 PM CT at Bridgestone Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is St. Louis Blues 3, Nashville Predators 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Nashville Predators have won 2 of their 7 games this season, losing the last three. The St. Louis Blues have won 3 of their 7 games this season. When these teams last met, on February 2, 2026, the Nashville Predators won 6-5 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jordan Binnington (confirmed) for the St. Louis Blues and Juuse Saros (confirmed, .904 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Nashville Predators.
• Strength against strength on the power play. The Nashville Predators scored on 26.9% of their power plays this season, tied for the 6th highest in the NHL, and the St. Louis Blues allowed opponents to score on 12.5% of their power plays, tied for the 6th lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives St. Louis Blues a 50.4% chance to beat Nashville Predators. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors, here by less than a point. The price on record, -115, is priced below the fair price of -102 (−5.8% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6 goals at 50.3% and the under at 49.7%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.3 goals, sits on the 6 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives St. Louis Blues -1.5 a 28.2% chance to cover and Nashville Predators +1.5 71.8%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Everything points over on the total. The St. Louis Blues went over the total in 8 of their last 10 games. Of the last 4 meetings between the Nashville Predators and the St. Louis Blues, 3 went over the total.

Against the puck line, the records pull in opposite directions. The St. Louis Blues covered the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators covered the puck line in 3 of the last 4 meetings with the St. Louis Blues.

Boston Bruins at Los Angeles Kings

8:00 PM CT at crypto.com Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Boston Bruins 3, Los Angeles Kings 3. That is an average, not a pick.

Two teams heading in opposite directions meet here. The Los Angeles Kings have lost 11 straight, a run that goes back to last season's playoffs, and all five of their games this season. The Boston Bruins have won 6 of their 8 games this season, winning the last four. The Los Angeles Kings come in with more rest: their last game was on October 13, four days before this one, while the Boston Bruins played the day before. When these teams last met, on March 10, 2026, the Boston Bruins won 2-1 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jeremy Swayman (confirmed, .930 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Boston Bruins and Anton Forsberg (confirmed) for the Los Angeles Kings.
• Mismatch on the power play. The Boston Bruins scored on 27.3% of their power plays this season, the 5th highest in the NHL, and the Los Angeles Kings allowed opponents to score on 42.1% of their power plays, the highest.
• An uphill climb in scoring. The Los Angeles Kings averaged 2.20 goals per game this season, the 4th fewest in the NHL, and the Boston Bruins allowed 2.25 goals per game, the 2nd fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Los Angeles Kings a 56.0% chance to beat Boston Bruins. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -135, is priced below the fair price of -127 (−2.5% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 goals at 53.4% and the under at 46.6%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.2 goals, comes from the same market prices, so it adds nothing to them.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Boston Bruins +1.5 a 66.8% chance to cover and Los Angeles Kings -1.5 33.2%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Edmonton Oilers at Utah Mammoth

9:00 PM CT at Delta Center. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Edmonton Oilers 3, Utah Mammoth 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Utah Mammoth have won 6 of their 8 games this season, winning the last three. The Edmonton Oilers have won 5 of their 7 games this season. When these teams last met, on October 15, 2026, the Utah Mammoth won 4-2 on the road. This is their second meeting this season.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Tristan Jarry (confirmed) for the Edmonton Oilers and Karel Vejmelka (confirmed, .898 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Utah Mammoth.
• Mismatch on the power play. The Utah Mammoth scored on 37.5% of their power plays this season, the highest in the NHL, and the Edmonton Oilers allowed opponents to score on 31.8% of their power plays, the 5th highest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Utah Mammoth a 56.3% chance to beat Edmonton Oilers. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -137 at Caesars, is priced below the fair price of -129 (−2.7% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 51.9% and the under at 48.1%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.8 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Edmonton Oilers +1.5 a 65.6% chance to cover and Utah Mammoth -1.5 34.4%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Against the puck line, the records pull in opposite directions. The Utah Mammoth covered the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers covered the puck line in 3 of the last 4 meetings with the Utah Mammoth.

Recent totals lean over. Of the last 4 meetings between the Utah Mammoth and the Edmonton Oilers, 3 went over the total.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Vegas Golden Knights

9:00 PM CT at T-Mobile Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Pittsburgh Penguins 3, Vegas Golden Knights 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have won 3 of their 8 games this season, winning one of the last five. The Vegas Golden Knights have won 7 of their 9 games this season, winning four of the last five. When these teams last met, on March 12, 2026, the Vegas Golden Knights won 6-2 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Sergei Murashov (confirmed, .908 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Adin Hill (confirmed, .901 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Vegas Golden Knights.
• Mismatch in shots. The Vegas Golden Knights averaged 31.0 shots on goal per game this season, tied for the 3rd most in the NHL, and the Pittsburgh Penguins allowed 28.8 shots on goal per game, the 8th most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Vegas Golden Knights a 65.7% chance to beat Pittsburgh Penguins. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -205, is priced below the fair price of -191 (−2.3% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 52.4% and the under at 47.6%. That is near a coin flip, and AiQ's read is the market's own, so AiQ has no edge on the total. AiQ's projected total, 6.8 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Pittsburgh Penguins +1.5 a 55.6% chance to cover and Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 44.4%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Everything points over on the total. The Vegas Golden Knights went over the total in 4 of 5 home games this season. The Pittsburgh Penguins went over the total in 4 of 5 road games this season.

These come from the closing lines of this season and last. They are context, not the reason for AiQ's picks, and the books price them in.

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