NHL Slate Analysis — Thursday, October 22, 2026

Thursday, October 22, 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 Thursday, October 22, 2026 has 12 games, the first at 6:00 PM CT. AiQ has a moneyline pick on all 12. 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

Nashville Predators at Boston Bruins

6:00 PM CT at TD Garden. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Nashville Predators 3, Boston Bruins 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Nashville Predators have won 3 of their 8 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Boston Bruins have won 7 of their 10 games this season, winning four of the last five. The Nashville Predators come in with more rest: their last game was on October 17, five days before this one, while the Boston Bruins played two days before. When these teams last met, on March 5, 2026, the Nashville Predators won 6-3 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Justus Annunen (confirmed) for the Nashville Predators and Michael DiPietro (confirmed) for the Boston Bruins.
• Weakness against weakness in shots. The Boston Bruins averaged 24.9 shots on goal per game this season, tied for the 8th fewest in the NHL, and the Nashville Predators allowed 29.1 shots on goal per game, tied for the 8th most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Boston Bruins a 58.3% chance to beat Nashville Predators. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -148 at BetRivers, is priced below the fair price of -140 (−2.4% 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, 6.3 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Nashville Predators +1.5 a 64.8% chance to cover and Boston Bruins -1.5 35.2%. 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 Boston Bruins. The Boston Bruins covered the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

New York Rangers 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 Rangers 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The New York Rangers have won 7 of their 11 games this season, winning three of the last five. The Toronto Maple Leafs have won 5 of their 11 games this season, winning two of the last five. When these teams last met, on March 25, 2026, the Toronto Maple Leafs won 4-3 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Dylan Garand (confirmed, .929 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the New York Rangers and Sergei Bobrovsky (confirmed, .901 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Weakness against weakness in shots. The New York Rangers averaged 24.2 shots on goal per game this season, the 6th fewest in the NHL, and the Toronto Maple Leafs allowed 30.2 shots on goal per game, the 5th most.
• Strength against strength on the power play. The Toronto Maple Leafs scored on 27.5% of their power plays this season, the 5th highest in the NHL, and the New York Rangers allowed opponents to score on 5.9% of their power plays, the 2nd lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives New York Rangers a 50.2% chance to beat Toronto Maple Leafs. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors, here by less than a point. The price on record, -112, is priced below the fair price of -101 (−4.9% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 48.6% and the under at 51.4%. 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 New York Rangers -1.5 a 29.0% chance to cover and Toronto Maple Leafs +1.5 71.0%. 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 New York Rangers covered the puck line in 8 of their last 10 games. The Toronto Maple Leafs failed to cover the puck line in 5 of 6 home games this season.

Recent totals lean under. The New York Rangers went under the total in 4 of 5 road games this season.

San Jose Sharks at Ottawa Senators

6:00 PM CT at Canadian Tire Centre. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is San Jose Sharks 3, Ottawa Senators 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The San Jose Sharks have won 5 of their 10 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Ottawa Senators have won 7 of their 10 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on March 15, 2026, the Ottawa Senators won 7-4 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Yaroslav Askarov (confirmed, .865 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the San Jose Sharks and Samuel Ersson (confirmed, .831 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Ottawa Senators.
• An uphill climb in scoring. The San Jose Sharks averaged 2.60 goals per game this season, the 8th fewest in the NHL, and the Ottawa Senators allowed 2.40 goals per game, the 5th fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Ottawa Senators a 55.1% chance to beat San Jose Sharks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -130 at Fanatics, is priced below the fair price of -123 (−2.5% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 47.9% and the under at 52.1%. 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 San Jose Sharks +1.5 a 66.9% chance to cover and Ottawa Senators -1.5 33.1%. 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 San Jose Sharks, the underdog here. The Ottawa Senators failed to cover the puck line in 4 of 5 games as favorites this season.

Recent totals lean under. The Ottawa Senators went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Anaheim Ducks at New Jersey Devils

6:00 PM CT at Prudential Center. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Anaheim Ducks 3, New Jersey Devils 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Anaheim Ducks have won 4 of their 9 games this season, losing the last four. The New Jersey Devils have won 5 of their 9 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on December 13, 2025, the New Jersey Devils won 4-1 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Ville Husso (confirmed, .885 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Anaheim Ducks and Nico Daws (confirmed, .857 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the New Jersey Devils.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives New Jersey Devils a 66.8% chance to beat Anaheim Ducks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -213 at Caesars, is priced below the fair price of -201 (−1.8% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 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, 6.8 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Anaheim Ducks +1.5 a 55.9% chance to cover and New Jersey Devils -1.5 44.1%. 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 Anaheim Ducks. The Anaheim Ducks covered the puck line in 4 of 5 road games this season. The New Jersey Devils failed to cover the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

Recent totals lean under. The Anaheim Ducks went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins

6:00 PM CT at PPG Paints Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Florida Panthers 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have won 3 of their 10 games this season, losing the last four. The Florida Panthers have won 5 of their 10 games this season, winning three of the last five. The Pittsburgh Penguins come in with more rest: their last game was on October 19, three days before this one, while the Florida Panthers played the day before. When these teams last met, on April 5, 2026, the Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-2 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Cooper Black (confirmed) for the Florida Panthers and Arturs Silovs (confirmed, .866 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Florida Panthers a 50.4% chance to beat Pittsburgh Penguins. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors, here by less than a point. The price on record, -112, is priced below the fair price of -102 (−4.5% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 53.8% and the under at 46.2%. 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, 6.9 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Florida Panthers -1.5 a 30.4% chance to cover and Pittsburgh Penguins +1.5 69.6%. 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 last 4 games involving the Pittsburgh Penguins went over the total. Each of the last 3 meetings between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Florida Panthers went over the total.

Against the puck line, the records lean toward the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pittsburgh Penguins covered the puck line in each of the last 3 meetings with the Florida Panthers. The Florida Panthers failed to cover the puck line in 5 of 6 games as favorites this season.

Los Angeles Kings at New York Islanders

6:30 PM CT at UBS Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Los Angeles Kings 3, New York Islanders 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Los Angeles Kings have won 1 of their 7 games this season. The New York Islanders have won 5 of their 9 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on March 13, 2026, the Los Angeles Kings won 3-2 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Darcy Kuemper (confirmed, .867 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Los Angeles Kings and Semyon Varlamov (confirmed) for the New York Islanders.
• An uphill climb in scoring. The Los Angeles Kings averaged 2.43 goals per game this season, the 5th fewest in the NHL, and the New York Islanders allowed 2.11 goals per game, the 2nd fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Los Angeles Kings a 50.2% chance to beat New York Islanders. 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 -101 (−6.1% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 goals at 50.9% and the under at 49.1%. 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 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 72.1% chance to cover and New York Islanders -1.5 27.9%. 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 New York Islanders went under the total.

Vegas Golden Knights at St. Louis Blues

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

The Vegas Golden Knights have won 8 of their 11 games this season, winning three of the last five. The St. Louis Blues have won 4 of their 9 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on January 10, 2026, the Vegas Golden Knights won 4-2 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Adin Hill (confirmed, .905 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Vegas Golden Knights and Joel Hofer (confirmed, .918 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the St. Louis Blues.
• Strength against strength on the power play. The Vegas Golden Knights scored on 25.0% of their power plays this season, the 7th highest in the NHL, and the St. Louis Blues allowed opponents to score on 14.3% of their power plays, the 6th lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Vegas Golden Knights a 54.4% chance to beat St. Louis Blues. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -126 at FanDuel, is priced below the fair price of -119 (−2.5% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6 goals at 50.7% and the under at 49.3%. 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 Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 a 31.2% chance to cover and St. Louis Blues +1.5 68.8%. 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 7 of their last 10 games. The Vegas Golden Knights went over the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Winnipeg Jets at Dallas Stars

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

Two teams heading in opposite directions meet here. The Winnipeg Jets have won 4 of their 9 games this season, losing the last three. The Dallas Stars have won 5 of their 9 games this season, winning the last three. When these teams last met, on April 2, 2026, the Dallas Stars won 3-0 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Stuart Skinner (confirmed, .909 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Winnipeg Jets and Jake Oettinger (confirmed, .945 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Dallas Stars.
• Strength against strength on the power play. The Winnipeg Jets scored on 26.1% of their power plays this season, the 6th highest in the NHL, and the Dallas Stars allowed opponents to score on 9.4% of their power plays, the 3rd lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Dallas Stars a 65.2% chance to beat Winnipeg Jets. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -192 at FanDuel, is priced below the fair price of -187 (−0.9% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 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, 5.9 goals, sits on the 5.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Winnipeg Jets +1.5 a 59.6% chance to cover and Dallas Stars -1.5 40.4%. 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 Winnipeg Jets, the underdog here. The Winnipeg Jets covered the puck line in 5 of 5 games as underdogs this season.

The total pulls both ways. The Dallas Stars went under the total in 8 of their last 10 games. Meanwhile, of the last 4 meetings between the Dallas Stars and the Winnipeg Jets, 3 went over the total.

Minnesota Wild at Calgary Flames

8:00 PM CT at Scotiabank Saddledome. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Minnesota Wild 4, Calgary Flames 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Minnesota Wild have won 6 of their 10 games this season, winning three of the last five. The Calgary Flames have won 2 of their 8 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Calgary Flames come in with more rest: their last game was on October 18, four days before this one, while the Minnesota Wild played two days before. When these teams last met, on January 29, 2026, the Minnesota Wild won 4-1 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jesper Wallstedt (confirmed, .915 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Minnesota Wild and Devin Cooley (confirmed, .868 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Calgary Flames.
• Mismatch in shots. The Minnesota Wild averaged 29.8 shots on goal per game this season, tied for the 8th most in the NHL, and the Calgary Flames allowed 29.6 shots on goal per game, the 6th most.
• An uphill climb in scoring. The Calgary Flames averaged 2.13 goals per game this season, the 2nd fewest in the NHL, and the Minnesota Wild allowed 2.50 goals per game, the 7th fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Minnesota Wild a 65.5% chance to beat Calgary Flames. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -200 at BetMGM, is priced below the fair price of -190 (−1.8% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6 goals at 50.4% and the under at 49.6%. 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 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Minnesota Wild -1.5 a 42.5% chance to cover and Calgary Flames +1.5 57.5%. 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 3 meetings between the Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild went under the total. The Calgary Flames went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Recent results against the puck line back the Minnesota Wild. The Minnesota Wild covered the puck line in 4 of 5 road games this season.

Carolina Hurricanes at Edmonton Oilers

8:00 PM CT at Rogers Place. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Carolina Hurricanes 4, Edmonton Oilers 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Carolina Hurricanes have won 8 of their 11 games this season, winning four of the last five. The Edmonton Oilers have won 7 of their 9 games this season, winning four of the last five. When these teams last met, on March 6, 2026, the Carolina Hurricanes won 6-3 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Brandon Bussi (confirmed, .882 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Carolina Hurricanes and Devon Levi (confirmed, .898 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Edmonton Oilers.
• Strength against strength on the power play. The Edmonton Oilers scored on 31.0% of their power plays this season, the 2nd highest in the NHL, and the Carolina Hurricanes allowed opponents to score on 10.8% of their power plays, the 4th lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Carolina Hurricanes a 55.2% chance to beat Edmonton Oilers. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -129 at BetRivers, is priced below the fair price of -123 (−2.0% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 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, 6.8 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 a 32.7% chance to cover and Edmonton Oilers +1.5 67.3%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Utah Mammoth at Seattle Kraken

9:00 PM CT at Climate Pledge Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Utah Mammoth 4, Seattle Kraken 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Utah Mammoth have won 7 of their 10 games this season, winning four of the last five. The Seattle Kraken have won 6 of their 10 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on April 2, 2026, the Utah Mammoth won 6-2 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Karel Vejmelka (confirmed, .879 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Utah Mammoth and Philipp Grubauer (confirmed, .904 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Seattle Kraken.
• Mismatch in shots. The Utah Mammoth averaged 30.1 shots on goal per game this season, the 5th most in the NHL, and the Seattle Kraken allowed 31.1 shots on goal per game, the 3rd most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Utah Mammoth a 61.8% chance to beat Seattle Kraken. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -175 at BetRivers, is priced below the fair price of -162 (−2.9% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 50.6% and the under at 49.4%. 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 Utah Mammoth -1.5 a 39.5% chance to cover and Seattle Kraken +1.5 60.5%. 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. Each of the last 3 meetings between the Seattle Kraken and the Utah Mammoth went over the total. The Seattle Kraken went over the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Recent results against the puck line back the Utah Mammoth. The Utah Mammoth covered the puck line in each of the last 3 meetings with the Seattle Kraken.

Detroit Red Wings at Vancouver Canucks

9:00 PM CT at Rogers Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Detroit Red Wings 4, Vancouver Canucks 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Vancouver Canucks have won 2 of their 11 games this season, losing the last eight. The Detroit Red Wings have won 3 of their 9 games this season, winning two of the last five. When these teams last met, on January 8, 2026, the Detroit Red Wings won 5-1 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are John Gibson (confirmed, .873 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Detroit Red Wings and Kevin Lankinen (confirmed, .807 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Vancouver Canucks.
• Weakness against weakness in scoring. The Detroit Red Wings averaged 2.44 goals per game this season, tied for the 6th fewest in the NHL, and the Vancouver Canucks allowed 4.64 goals per game, the most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Detroit Red Wings a 60.8% chance to beat Vancouver Canucks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -165 at BetMGM, is priced below the fair price of -155 (−2.4% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 48.6% and the under at 51.4%. 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, 6.5 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Detroit Red Wings -1.5 a 38.0% chance to cover and Vancouver Canucks +1.5 62.0%. 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 Vancouver Canucks, the underdog here. The Detroit Red Wings failed to cover the puck line in 6 of 7 games as favorites 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.

• All NHL slate analysis
• NHL game recaps