NHL Slate Analysis — Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Tuesday, October 20, 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 Tuesday, October 20, 2026 has 11 games, the first at 6:00 PM CT. AiQ has a moneyline pick on all 11. 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

San Jose Sharks at Montreal Canadiens

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

The San Jose Sharks have won 4 of their 9 games this season, winning one of the last five. The Montreal Canadiens have won 4 of their 8 games this season, winning three of the last five. The Montreal Canadiens come in with more rest: their last game was on October 17, three days before this one, while the San Jose Sharks played the day before. When these teams last met, on March 14, 2026, the San Jose Sharks won 4-2 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Alex Nedeljkovic (confirmed, .920 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the San Jose Sharks and Jakub Dobes (confirmed, .842 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Montreal Canadiens.
• Weakness against weakness in scoring. The San Jose Sharks averaged 2.44 goals per game this season, tied for the 8th fewest in the NHL, and the Montreal Canadiens allowed 3.75 goals per game, the 5th most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Montreal Canadiens a 67.6% chance to beat San Jose Sharks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -225, is priced below the fair price of -209 (−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 San Jose Sharks +1.5 a 55.1% chance to cover and Montreal Canadiens -1.5 44.9%. 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 Montreal Canadiens failed to cover the puck line in 5 of 5 home games this season.

The total pulls both ways. The Montreal Canadiens went over the total in 4 of 5 home games this season. Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks went under the total in 4 of 5 road games this season.

Colorado Avalanche at New Jersey Devils

6:00 PM CT at Prudential Center. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Colorado Avalanche 3, New Jersey Devils 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Colorado Avalanche have won 5 of their 9 games this season, winning two of the last five. The New Jersey Devils have won 4 of their 8 games this season, winning three of the last five. The New Jersey Devils come in with more rest: their last game was on October 17, three days before this one, while the Colorado Avalanche played the day before. When these teams last met, on October 28, 2025, the Colorado Avalanche won 8-4 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Scott Wedgewood (confirmed) for the Colorado Avalanche and Jake Allen (confirmed, .876 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the New Jersey Devils.
• Strength against strength in shots. The Colorado Avalanche averaged 30.2 shots on goal per game this season, the 5th most in the NHL, and the New Jersey Devils allowed 25.0 shots on goal per game, the 6th fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives New Jersey Devils a 51.8% chance to beat Colorado Avalanche. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -114 at Caesars, is priced below the fair price of -108 (−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 Colorado Avalanche +1.5 a 70.0% chance to cover and New Jersey Devils -1.5 30.0%. 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 Colorado Avalanche, the underdog here. The New Jersey Devils failed to cover the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

Anaheim Ducks at New York Islanders

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

The Anaheim Ducks have won 4 of their 8 games this season, losing the last three. The New York Islanders have won 4 of their 8 games this season, winning three of the last five. The New York Islanders come in with more rest: their last game was on October 17, three days before this one, while the Anaheim Ducks played the day before. When these teams last met, on March 4, 2026, the Anaheim Ducks won 5-1 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Lukas Dostal (confirmed, .881 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Anaheim Ducks and Ilya Sorokin (confirmed, .940 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the New York Islanders.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives New York Islanders a 58.8% chance to beat Anaheim Ducks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -150 at BetMGM, is priced below the fair price of -143 (−2.0% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 goals at 54.0% and the under at 46.0%. 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, 6.2 goals, comes from the same market prices, so it adds nothing to them.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Anaheim Ducks +1.5 a 64.4% chance to cover and New York Islanders -1.5 35.6%. 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. The New York Islanders went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games. The Anaheim Ducks went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Los Angeles Kings at Washington Capitals

6:00 PM CT at Capital One Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Los Angeles Kings 3, Washington Capitals 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Los Angeles Kings have lost 12 straight, a run that goes back to last season's playoffs, and all six of their games this season. The Washington Capitals have won 5 of their 8 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on December 2, 2025, the Washington Capitals won 3-1 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Darcy Kuemper (confirmed, .844 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Los Angeles Kings and Logan Thompson (confirmed, .910 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Washington Capitals.
• Mismatch in shots. The Los Angeles Kings averaged 29.8 shots on goal per game this season, tied for the 8th most in the NHL, and the Washington Capitals allowed 29.6 shots on goal per game, tied for the 5th most.
• Mismatch in scoring. The Washington Capitals averaged 3.50 goals per game this season, the 8th most in the NHL, and the Los Angeles Kings allowed 4.17 goals per game, the 3rd most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Washington Capitals a 59.3% chance to beat Los Angeles Kings. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -155, is priced below the fair price of -146 (−2.4% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 goals at 52.8% and the under at 47.2%. 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, 6.1 goals, comes from the same market prices, so it adds nothing to them.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Los Angeles Kings +1.5 a 64.2% chance to cover and Washington Capitals -1.5 35.8%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Recent totals lean under. The last 4 games involving the Los Angeles Kings went under the total.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue Jackets

6:00 PM CT at Nationwide Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Toronto Maple Leafs 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won 4 of their 10 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Columbus Blue Jackets have won 3 of their 7 games this season. When these teams last met, on November 26, 2025, the Toronto Maple Leafs won 2-1 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Anthony Stolarz (confirmed, .875 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Jet Greaves (confirmed, .905 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
• Mismatch on the power play. The Toronto Maple Leafs scored on 28.6% of their power plays this season, the 5th highest in the NHL, and the Columbus Blue Jackets allowed opponents to score on 32.0% of their power plays, the 4th highest.
• An uphill climb on the power play. The Columbus Blue Jackets scored on 11.8% of their power plays this season, the 3rd lowest in the NHL, and the Toronto Maple Leafs allowed opponents to score on 3.1% of their power plays, the lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Columbus Blue Jackets a 59.8% chance to beat Toronto Maple Leafs. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -155 at BetRivers, is priced below the fair price of -149 (−1.6% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 49.6% and the under at 50.4%. 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 Toronto Maple Leafs +1.5 a 62.9% chance to cover and Columbus Blue Jackets -1.5 37.1%. 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 Toronto Maple Leafs, the underdog here. The Columbus Blue Jackets failed to cover the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

Recent totals lean under. The Columbus Blue Jackets went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues

7:00 PM CT at Enterprise Center. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Winnipeg Jets 3, St. Louis Blues 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Winnipeg Jets have won 4 of their 8 games this season, winning two of the last five. The St. Louis Blues have won 3 of their 8 games this season, winning two of the last five. When these teams last met, on April 9, 2026, the Winnipeg Jets won 3-2 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Stuart Skinner (confirmed, .905 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Winnipeg Jets and Joel Hofer (confirmed, .905 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the St. Louis Blues.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives St. Louis Blues a 56.5% chance to beat Winnipeg Jets. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -134 at BetRivers, is priced below the fair price of -130 (−1.3% 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 Winnipeg Jets +1.5 a 66.7% chance to cover and St. Louis Blues -1.5 33.3%. 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 4 meetings between the St. Louis Blues and the Winnipeg Jets went under the total. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues went over the total in 8 of their last 10 games.

Recent results against the puck line back the St. Louis Blues. The St. Louis Blues covered the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

Boston Bruins at Dallas Stars

7:00 PM CT at American Airlines Center. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Boston Bruins 3, Dallas Stars 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Boston Bruins have won 7 of their 9 games this season, winning the last five. The Dallas Stars have won 4 of their 8 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on March 31, 2026, the Boston Bruins won 6-3 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jeremy Swayman (confirmed, .934 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Boston Bruins and Jake Oettinger (confirmed, .952 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Dallas Stars.
• Strength against strength in scoring. The Boston Bruins averaged 3.78 goals per game this season, tied for the 5th most in the NHL, and the Dallas Stars allowed 1.50 goals per game, the fewest.
• An uphill climb in scoring. The Dallas Stars averaged 2.38 goals per game this season, tied for the 5th fewest in the NHL, and the Boston Bruins allowed 2.11 goals per game, the 2nd fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Dallas Stars a 60.9% chance to beat Boston Bruins. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -164 at FanDuel, is priced below the fair price of -155 (−2.1% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 goals at 52.6% and the under at 47.4%. 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, 6.1 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 62.9% chance to cover and Dallas Stars -1.5 37.1%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Recent totals lean under. The Dallas Stars went under the total in 8 of their last 10 games.

Recent results against the puck line back the Boston Bruins, the underdog here. The Boston Bruins covered the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

Minnesota Wild at Edmonton Oilers

8:00 PM CT at Rogers Place. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Minnesota Wild 3, Edmonton Oilers 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Minnesota Wild have won 6 of their 9 games this season, winning four of the last five. The Edmonton Oilers have won 6 of their 8 games this season, winning four of the last five. When these teams last met, on January 31, 2026, the Minnesota Wild won 7-3 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jesper Wallstedt (confirmed, .921 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Minnesota Wild and Devon Levi (confirmed, .897 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Edmonton Oilers.
• Mismatch on the power play. The Minnesota Wild scored on 32.1% of their power plays this season, the 2nd highest in the NHL, and the Edmonton Oilers allowed opponents to score on 29.2% of their power plays, the 8th highest.
• Strength against strength in scoring. The Edmonton Oilers averaged 4.63 goals per game this season, the most in the NHL, and the Minnesota Wild allowed 2.33 goals per game, the 5th fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Edmonton Oilers a 55.3% chance to beat Minnesota Wild. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -130 at Fanatics, is priced below the fair price of -124 (−2.2% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 47.6% and the under at 52.4%. 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 Minnesota Wild +1.5 a 67.2% chance to cover and Edmonton Oilers -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 pull in opposite directions. The Minnesota Wild covered the puck line in each of the last 3 meetings with the Edmonton Oilers. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers covered the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

Detroit Red Wings at Seattle Kraken

8:40 PM CT at Climate Pledge Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Detroit Red Wings 3, Seattle Kraken 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Detroit Red Wings have won 3 of their 8 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Seattle Kraken have won 5 of their 9 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on October 9, 2026, the Seattle Kraken won 6-3 on the road. This is their second meeting this season.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Daniil Tarasov (confirmed, .965 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Detroit Red Wings and Philipp Grubauer (confirmed, .909 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Seattle Kraken.
• Mismatch in shots. The Detroit Red Wings averaged 30.5 shots on goal per game this season, the 4th most in the NHL, and the Seattle Kraken allowed 31.8 shots on goal per game, the 3rd most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Detroit Red Wings a 51.3% chance to beat Seattle Kraken. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -118, is priced below the fair price of -105 (−5.3% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 48.9% and the under at 51.1%. 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, 6.5 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Detroit Red Wings -1.5 a 29.8% chance to cover and Seattle Kraken +1.5 70.2%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Recent totals lean over. Each of the last 3 meetings between the Seattle Kraken and the Detroit Red Wings went over the total.

Recent results against the puck line back the Seattle Kraken, the underdog here. The Detroit Red Wings failed to cover the puck line in 5 of 6 games as favorites this season.

Carolina Hurricanes at Vancouver Canucks

9:00 PM CT at Rogers Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Carolina Hurricanes 4, Vancouver Canucks 2. That is an average, not a pick.

The Vancouver Canucks have won 2 of their 10 games this season, losing the last seven. The Carolina Hurricanes have won 7 of their 10 games this season, winning four of the last five. When these teams last met, on October 8, 2026, the Carolina Hurricanes won 7-2 at home. This is their second meeting this season.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Pyotr Kochetkov (confirmed, .912 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Carolina Hurricanes and Leevi Merilainen (confirmed, .926 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Vancouver Canucks.
• Mismatch in shots. The Carolina Hurricanes averaged 33.1 shots on goal per game this season, the 2nd most in the NHL, and the Vancouver Canucks allowed 32.7 shots on goal per game, the most.
• An uphill climb in shots. The Vancouver Canucks averaged 21.1 shots on goal per game this season, the fewest in the NHL, and the Carolina Hurricanes allowed 22.9 shots on goal per game, the 3rd fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Carolina Hurricanes a 73.6% chance to beat Vancouver Canucks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -298, is priced below the fair price of -279 (−1.7% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 49.4% and the under at 50.6%. 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, 6.5 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 a 52.2% chance to cover and Vancouver Canucks +1.5 47.8%. 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.

The total pulls both ways. The last 4 games involving the Carolina Hurricanes went under the total. Meanwhile, each of the last 3 meetings between the Vancouver Canucks and the Carolina Hurricanes went over the total.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Vegas Golden Knights

9:45 PM CT at T-Mobile Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Vegas Golden Knights 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Vegas Golden Knights have won 8 of their 10 games this season, winning the last three. The Tampa Bay Lightning have won 6 of their 8 games this season, winning four of the last five. When these teams last met, on November 6, 2025, the Tampa Bay Lightning won 6-3 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Andrei Vasilevskiy (confirmed, .885 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carter Hart (confirmed, .911 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Vegas Golden Knights.
• Strength against strength in shots. The Tampa Bay Lightning averaged 30.9 shots on goal per game this season, the 3rd most in the NHL, and the Vegas Golden Knights allowed 25.4 shots on goal per game, tied for the 7th fewest.
• Strength against strength in shots. The Vegas Golden Knights averaged 29.8 shots on goal per game this season, tied for the 8th most in the NHL, and the Tampa Bay Lightning allowed 23.0 shots on goal per game, the 4th fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Vegas Golden Knights a 50.4% chance to beat Tampa Bay Lightning. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors, here by less than a point. The price on record, -110, is priced below the fair price of -101 (−3.8% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 46.2% and the under at 53.8%. 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, 6.4 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Tampa Bay Lightning +1.5 a 71.2% chance to cover and Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 28.8%. 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 Vegas Golden Knights went over the total in 5 of 6 home games this season. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

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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