NHL Slate Analysis — Thursday, October 29, 2026

Thursday, October 29, 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 29, 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

Winnipeg Jets at Tampa Bay Lightning

6:00 PM CT at Benchmark International Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Winnipeg Jets 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Winnipeg Jets have won 4 of their 12 games this season, losing the last six. The Tampa Bay Lightning have won 7 of their 11 games this season, winning three of the last five. The Tampa Bay Lightning come in with more rest: their last game was on October 24, five days before this one, while the Winnipeg Jets played two days before. When these teams last met, on March 5, 2026, the Winnipeg Jets won 4-1 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Stuart Skinner (confirmed, .911 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Winnipeg Jets and Andrei Vasilevskiy (confirmed, .883 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Tampa Bay Lightning a 67.0% chance to beat Winnipeg Jets. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -215 at Fanatics, is priced below the fair price of -203 (−1.9% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6 goals at 50.1% and the under at 49.9%. 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 Winnipeg Jets +1.5 a 56.0% chance to cover and Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 44.0%. 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 last 5 games involving the Winnipeg Jets went under the total. The Tampa Bay Lightning went under the total in 4 of 5 home games this season.

Recent results against the puck line back the Winnipeg Jets, the underdog here. The Winnipeg Jets covered the puck line in 7 of 8 games as underdogs this season.

Utah Mammoth at Pittsburgh Penguins

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

The Utah Mammoth have won 8 of their 13 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Pittsburgh Penguins have won 5 of their 12 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Pittsburgh Penguins come in with more rest: their last game was on October 24, five days before this one, while the Utah Mammoth played two days before. When these teams last met, on October 19, 2026, the Utah Mammoth won 5-4 at home. This is their second meeting this season.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Karel Vejmelka (not yet confirmed, .880 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Utah Mammoth and Arturs Silovs (confirmed, .890 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• Strength against strength on the power play. The Utah Mammoth scored on 34.8% of their power plays this season, the 2nd highest in the NHL, and the Pittsburgh Penguins allowed opponents to score on 16.1% of their power plays, the 8th lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Utah Mammoth a 54.9% chance to beat Pittsburgh Penguins. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -134 at Caesars, is priced below the fair price of -122 (−4.2% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 55.0% and the under at 45.0%. 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, 7.0 goals, comes from the same market prices, so it adds nothing to them.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Utah Mammoth -1.5 a 33.6% chance to cover and Pittsburgh Penguins +1.5 66.4%. 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 lean toward the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Utah Mammoth failed to cover the puck line in 5 straight games. The Pittsburgh Penguins covered the puck line in each of the last 3 meetings with the Utah Mammoth.

Everything points over on the total. Each of the last 3 meetings between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Utah Mammoth went over the total. The Utah Mammoth went over the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Carolina Hurricanes

6:00 PM CT at Lenovo Center. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Columbus Blue Jackets 2, Carolina Hurricanes 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have won 5 of their 10 games this season, winning three of the last five. The Carolina Hurricanes have won 10 of their 14 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on April 2, 2026, the Carolina Hurricanes won 5-1 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jet Greaves (confirmed, .881 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pyotr Kochetkov (confirmed, .918 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Carolina Hurricanes.
• An uphill climb in scoring. The Columbus Blue Jackets averaged 2.50 goals per game this season, the 5th fewest in the NHL, and the Carolina Hurricanes allowed 2.36 goals per game, the 4th fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Carolina Hurricanes a 70.3% chance to beat Columbus Blue Jackets. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -250 at BetMGM, is priced below the fair price of -236 (−1.7% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6 goals at 49.9% and the under at 50.1%. 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, 6.2 goals, sits on the 6 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Columbus Blue Jackets +1.5 a 52.5% chance to cover and Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 47.5%. 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.

Against the puck line, the records lean toward the Carolina Hurricanes. The Columbus Blue Jackets failed to cover the puck line in 8 of their last 10 games. The Carolina Hurricanes covered the puck line in 3 of the last 4 meetings with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Recent totals lean under. Of the last 4 meetings between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Columbus Blue Jackets, 3 went under the total.

Chicago Blackhawks at Detroit Red Wings

6:30 PM CT at Little Caesars Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Chicago Blackhawks 3, Detroit Red Wings 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Chicago Blackhawks have won 4 of their 12 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Detroit Red Wings have won 5 of their 12 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on December 13, 2025, the Detroit Red Wings won 4-0 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Spencer Knight (not yet confirmed, .897 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Chicago Blackhawks and John Gibson (confirmed, .867 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Detroit Red Wings.
• Weakness against weakness on the power play. The Chicago Blackhawks scored on 10.3% of their power plays this season, the 2nd lowest in the NHL, and the Detroit Red Wings allowed opponents to score on 34.1% of their power plays, the 3rd highest.
• Weakness against weakness in scoring. The Detroit Red Wings averaged 2.58 goals per game this season, the 7th fewest in the NHL, and the Chicago Blackhawks allowed 3.67 goals per game, the 3rd most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Detroit Red Wings a 59.6% chance to beat Chicago Blackhawks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -155 at Fanatics, is priced below the fair price of -147 (−2.0% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 goals at 52.9% and the under at 47.1%. 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, 6.1 goals, comes from the same market prices, so it adds nothing to them.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Chicago Blackhawks +1.5 a 63.6% chance to cover and Detroit Red Wings -1.5 36.4%. 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 Chicago Blackhawks went under the total.

Recent results against the puck line back the Chicago Blackhawks, the underdog here. The Detroit Red Wings failed to cover the puck line in 7 of 9 games as favorites this season.

Boston Bruins at St. Louis Blues

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

The Boston Bruins have won 9 of their 13 games this season, winning three of the last five. The St. Louis Blues have won 5 of their 12 games this season, winning two of the last five. When these teams last met, on December 9, 2025, the Boston Bruins won 5-2 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jeremy Swayman (confirmed, .921 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Boston Bruins and Joel Hofer (confirmed, .916 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 50.6% chance to beat Boston Bruins. 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 -103 (−5.3% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 goals at 54.4% and the under at 45.6%. 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 71.0% chance to cover and St. Louis Blues -1.5 29.0%. 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 Boston Bruins, the underdog here. The Boston Bruins covered the puck line in 5 straight games.

Recent totals lean under. The Boston Bruins went under the total in 5 of 7 road games this season.

Washington Capitals at Nashville Predators

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

The Washington Capitals have won 7 of their 11 games this season, winning four of the last five. The Nashville Predators have won 4 of their 12 games this season, winning two of the last five. When these teams last met, on February 5, 2026, the Washington Capitals won 4-2 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Charlie Lindgren (confirmed, .887 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Washington Capitals and Juuse Saros (confirmed, .907 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Nashville Predators.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Washington Capitals a 50.5% 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, -112, is priced below the fair price of -102 (−4.4% 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, 6.6 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Washington Capitals -1.5 a 29.6% chance to cover and Nashville Predators +1.5 70.4%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Montreal Canadiens at Dallas Stars

7:00 PM CT at American Airlines Center. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Montreal Canadiens 3, Dallas Stars 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Montreal Canadiens have won 7 of their 12 games this season, winning the last three. The Dallas Stars have won 7 of their 12 games this season, winning four of the last five. When these teams last met, on January 4, 2026, the Montreal Canadiens won 4-3 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jakub Dobes (confirmed, .847 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Montreal Canadiens and Jake Oettinger (confirmed, .929 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Dallas Stars.
• An uphill climb on the power play. The Montreal Canadiens scored on 11.4% of their power plays this season, the 4th lowest in the NHL, and the Dallas Stars allowed opponents to score on 7.1% of their power plays, the lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Dallas Stars a 60.9% chance to beat Montreal Canadiens. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -175, is priced below the fair price of -156 (−4.2% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 goals at 54.6% and the under at 45.4%. 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, 6.2 goals, comes from the same market prices, so it adds nothing to them.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Montreal Canadiens +1.5 a 62.4% chance to cover and Dallas Stars -1.5 37.6%. 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 Dallas Stars. The Montreal Canadiens failed to cover the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games.

New York Islanders at Minnesota Wild

7:00 PM CT at Grand Casino Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is New York Islanders 3, Minnesota Wild 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Minnesota Wild have won 9 of their 14 games this season, winning the last three. The New York Islanders have won 6 of their 12 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on January 10, 2026, the New York Islanders won 4-3 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Ilya Sorokin (confirmed, .919 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the New York Islanders and Jesper Wallstedt (confirmed, .922 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Minnesota Wild.
• Strength against strength on the power play. The Minnesota Wild scored on 26.5% of their power plays this season, the 6th highest in the NHL, and the New York Islanders allowed opponents to score on 14.6% of their power plays, the 6th lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Minnesota Wild a 64.2% chance to beat New York Islanders. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -190 at BetMGM, is priced below the fair price of -179 (−2.1% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 goals at 52.7% and the under at 47.3%. 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, 6.1 goals, comes from the same market prices, so it adds nothing to them.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives New York Islanders +1.5 a 59.3% chance to cover and Minnesota Wild -1.5 40.7%. 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 Minnesota Wild went under the total.

Buffalo Sabres at Anaheim Ducks

9:00 PM CT at Honda Center. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Buffalo Sabres 4, Anaheim Ducks 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Buffalo Sabres have won 5 of their 12 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Anaheim Ducks have won 5 of their 12 games this season, winning one of the last five. When these teams last met, on March 22, 2026, the Anaheim Ducks won 6-5 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Colten Ellis (not yet confirmed, .902 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Buffalo Sabres and Lukas Dostal (not yet confirmed, .871 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Anaheim Ducks.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Buffalo Sabres a 56.6% chance to beat Anaheim Ducks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -141 at BetRivers, is priced below the fair price of -131 (−3.2% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 53.7% and the under at 46.3%. 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, 6.9 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Buffalo Sabres -1.5 a 34.8% chance to cover and Anaheim Ducks +1.5 65.2%. 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 Buffalo Sabres. The Buffalo Sabres covered the puck line in 5 of 5 road games this season.

Recent totals lean over. The Buffalo Sabres went over the total in 4 of 5 road games this season.

Ottawa Senators at Los Angeles Kings

9:00 PM CT at crypto.com Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Ottawa Senators 3, Los Angeles Kings 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Ottawa Senators have won 8 of their 13 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Los Angeles Kings have won 3 of their 11 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on November 24, 2025, the Los Angeles Kings won 2-1 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jonas Johansson (confirmed) for the Ottawa Senators and Darcy Kuemper (confirmed, .888 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Los Angeles Kings.
• Weakness against weakness on the power play. The Ottawa Senators scored on 12.7% of their power plays this season, the 5th lowest in the NHL, and the Los Angeles Kings allowed opponents to score on 36.4% of their power plays, the highest.
• An uphill climb in scoring. The Los Angeles Kings averaged 2.55 goals per game this season, the 6th fewest in the NHL, and the Ottawa Senators allowed 2.92 goals per game, tied for the 8th fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Ottawa Senators a 52.8% chance to beat Los Angeles Kings. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -120 at Fanatics, is priced below the fair price of -112 (−3.3% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 goals at 53.7% and the under at 46.3%. 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, 6.2 goals, comes from the same market prices, so it adds nothing to them.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Ottawa Senators -1.5 a 29.9% chance to cover and Los Angeles Kings +1.5 70.1%. 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 Los Angeles Kings, the underdog here. The Ottawa Senators failed to cover the puck line in 8 of their last 10 games.

Everything points under on the total. The Ottawa Senators went under the total in 5 of 6 road games this season. The Los Angeles Kings went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Vancouver Canucks at San Jose Sharks

9:00 PM CT at SAP Center at San Jose. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Vancouver Canucks 3, San Jose Sharks 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Vancouver Canucks have won 3 of their 14 games this season, winning one of the last five. The San Jose Sharks have won 6 of their 13 games this season, winning two of the last five. When these teams last met, on April 11, 2026, the Vancouver Canucks won 4-3 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Leevi Merilainen (confirmed, .901 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Vancouver Canucks and Yaroslav Askarov (confirmed, .898 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the San Jose Sharks.
• Weakness against weakness in shots. The Vancouver Canucks averaged 20.8 shots on goal per game this season, the fewest in the NHL, and the San Jose Sharks allowed 31.1 shots on goal per game, the 2nd most.
• Mismatch on the power play. The San Jose Sharks scored on 25.0% of their power plays this season, the 8th highest in the NHL, and the Vancouver Canucks allowed opponents to score on 36.2% of their power plays, the 2nd highest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives San Jose Sharks a 61.2% chance to beat Vancouver Canucks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -167 at BetRivers, is priced below the fair price of -158 (−2.1% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 54.9% and the under at 45.1%. 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, 7.0 goals, comes from the same market prices, so it adds nothing to them.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Vancouver Canucks +1.5 a 60.2% chance to cover and San Jose Sharks -1.5 39.8%. 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 San Jose Sharks failed to cover the puck line in 4 of 5 home games this season. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks failed to cover the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games. The San Jose Sharks covered the puck line in 3 of the last 4 meetings with the Vancouver Canucks.

Recent totals lean over. Of the last 4 meetings between the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks, 3 went over the total.

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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