NHL Slate Analysis — Saturday, October 31, 2026

Saturday, October 31, 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 31, 2026 has 10 games, the first at 12:00 PM CT. AiQ has a moneyline pick on all 10. Of AiQ's picks on this slate, 1 has a price on record above fair value. Each price is the one AiQ valued the pick at when it last priced the game.

Best value

• Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche: Colorado Avalanche on the moneyline (-380, +0.8% value).

Every game

Chicago Blackhawks at Boston Bruins

12:00 PM CT at TD Garden. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Chicago Blackhawks 3, Boston Bruins 4. That is an average, not a pick.

The Chicago Blackhawks have won 4 of their 13 games this season, winning one of the last five. The Boston Bruins have won 9 of their 14 games this season, winning two of the last five. When these teams last met, on January 17, 2026, the Boston Bruins won 5-2 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Arvid Soderblom (not yet confirmed) for the Chicago Blackhawks and Michael DiPietro (confirmed, .940 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Boston Bruins.
• An uphill climb in scoring. The Chicago Blackhawks averaged 2.08 goals per game this season, the 2nd fewest in the NHL, and the Boston Bruins allowed 2.29 goals per game, the 2nd fewest.
• Mismatch in scoring. The Boston Bruins averaged 3.57 goals per game this season, tied for the 8th most in the NHL, and the Chicago Blackhawks allowed 3.69 goals per game, the 4th most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Boston Bruins a 68.5% chance to beat Chicago Blackhawks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -230 at FanDuel, is priced below the fair price of -218 (−1.7% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 45.5% and the under at 54.5%. 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, 6.3 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Chicago Blackhawks +1.5 a 53.9% chance to cover and Boston Bruins -1.5 46.1%. 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 totals lean under. The last 5 games involving the Chicago Blackhawks went under the total.

Against the puck line, the records lean toward the Boston Bruins. The Boston Bruins covered the puck line in 5 of 5 games as favorites this season. The Chicago Blackhawks failed to cover the puck line in 4 of 5 road games this season.

St. Louis Blues at Detroit Red Wings

12:00 PM CT at Little Caesars Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is St. Louis Blues 3, Detroit Red Wings 3. That is an average, not a pick.

Both teams have won 6 of their 13 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on October 28, 2025, the Detroit Red Wings won 5-2 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Joel Hofer (confirmed, .923 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the St. Louis Blues and John Gibson (confirmed, .874 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Detroit Red Wings.
• Mismatch on the power play. The St. Louis Blues scored on 25.7% of their power plays this season, the 8th highest in the NHL, and the Detroit Red Wings allowed opponents to score on 33.3% of their power plays, the 4th highest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives St. Louis Blues a 52.2% chance to beat Detroit Red Wings. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -118, is priced below the fair price of -109 (−3.6% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 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, 6.2 goals, comes from the same market prices, so it adds nothing to them.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives St. Louis Blues -1.5 a 29.6% chance to cover and Detroit Red Wings +1.5 70.4%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Recent totals lean over. The St. Louis Blues went over the total in 4 of 5 road games this season.

Recent results against the puck line back the St. Louis Blues. The Detroit Red Wings failed to cover the puck line in 5 of 7 home games this season.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Nashville Predators

1:00 PM CT at Bridgestone Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Nashville Predators 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have won 8 of their 12 games this season, winning three of the last five. The Nashville Predators have won 4 of their 13 games this season, winning one of the last five. When these teams last met, on March 29, 2026, the Tampa Bay Lightning won 3-2 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Andrei Vasilevskiy (not yet confirmed, .876 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Juuse Saros (not yet confirmed, .903 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Nashville Predators.
• An uphill climb on the power play. The Tampa Bay Lightning scored on 16.3% of their power plays this season, tied for the 6th lowest in the NHL, and the Nashville Predators allowed opponents to score on 11.9% of their power plays, the 4th lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Tampa Bay Lightning a 61.2% chance to beat Nashville Predators. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -170, is priced below the fair price of -158 (−2.8% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 45.1% and the under at 54.9%. 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 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 a 38.2% chance to cover and Nashville Predators +1.5 61.8%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Recent totals lean over. The Tampa Bay Lightning went over the total in 4 of 5 road games this season.

Edmonton Oilers at New York Islanders

1:00 PM CT at UBS Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Edmonton Oilers 3, New York Islanders 3. That is an average, not a pick.

The Edmonton Oilers have won 9 of their 13 games this season, winning three of the last five. The New York Islanders have won 7 of their 13 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on January 15, 2026, the New York Islanders won 1-0 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Tristan Jarry (confirmed, .890 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Edmonton Oilers and Ilya Sorokin (confirmed, .915 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the New York Islanders.
• Strength against strength in scoring. The Edmonton Oilers averaged 4.23 goals per game this season, the most in the NHL, and the New York Islanders allowed 2.62 goals per game, the 5th fewest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Edmonton Oilers a 51.0% 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 -104 (−4.7% 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 Edmonton Oilers -1.5 a 30.3% chance to cover and New York Islanders +1.5 69.7%. 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 Edmonton Oilers. The Edmonton Oilers covered the puck line in 5 of 5 road games this season.

Buffalo Sabres at Los Angeles Kings

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

The Buffalo Sabres have won 6 of their 13 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Los Angeles Kings have won 4 of their 12 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on March 21, 2026, the Buffalo Sabres won 4-1 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Colten Ellis (not yet confirmed, .880 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Buffalo Sabres and Darcy Kuemper (not yet confirmed, .877 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Los Angeles Kings.
• Weakness against weakness on the power play. The Buffalo Sabres scored on 13.6% of their power plays this season, tied for the 4th lowest in the NHL, and the Los Angeles Kings allowed opponents to score on 35.1% of their power plays, the 2nd highest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Buffalo Sabres a 54.2% chance to beat Los Angeles Kings. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -124 at BetRivers, is priced below the fair price of -118 (−2.0% 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, 6.3 goals, sits on the 6 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Buffalo Sabres -1.5 a 31.3% chance to cover and Los Angeles Kings +1.5 68.7%. 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 6 road games this season.

The total pulls both ways. The Buffalo Sabres went over the total in 5 of 6 road games this season. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings went under the total in 7 of their last 10 games.

Ottawa Senators at San Jose Sharks

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

The Ottawa Senators have won 8 of their 14 games this season, winning two of the last five. The San Jose Sharks have won 7 of their 14 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on October 22, 2026, the San Jose Sharks won 6-2 on the road. This is their second meeting this season.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Samuel Ersson (confirmed, .849 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Ottawa Senators and Alex Nedeljkovic (confirmed, .903 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the San Jose Sharks.
• Weakness against weakness in shots. The Ottawa Senators averaged 25.2 shots on goal per game this season, tied for the 6th fewest in the NHL, and the San Jose Sharks allowed 30.7 shots on goal per game, the 3rd most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Ottawa Senators a 58.1% chance to beat San Jose Sharks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -148 at BetRivers, is priced below the fair price of -139 (−2.6% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 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, 6.6 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Ottawa Senators -1.5 a 35.4% chance to cover and San Jose Sharks +1.5 64.6%. 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 Ottawa Senators failed to cover the puck line in 8 of their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks failed to cover the puck line in 5 of 6 home games this season.

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

Pittsburgh Penguins at Montreal Canadiens

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

The Montreal Canadiens have won 8 of their 13 games this season, winning the last four. The Pittsburgh Penguins have won 5 of their 13 games this season, winning two of the last five. When these teams last met, on October 3, 2026, the Pittsburgh Penguins won 6-5 at home. This is their second meeting this season.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Sergei Murashov (confirmed, .880 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Jacob Fowler (confirmed, .943 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Montreal Canadiens.
• An uphill climb on the power play. The Montreal Canadiens scored on 10.3% of their power plays this season, the 2nd lowest in the NHL, and the Pittsburgh Penguins allowed opponents to score on 15.6% of their power plays, the 8th lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Montreal Canadiens a 53.5% chance to beat Pittsburgh Penguins. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -125, is priced below the fair price of -115 (−3.7% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 52.2% and the under at 47.8%. 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, 6.8 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Pittsburgh Penguins +1.5 a 68.1% chance to cover and Montreal Canadiens -1.5 31.9%. 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 Montreal Canadiens failed to cover the puck line in 6 of 6 home games this season. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens covered the puck line in 3 of the last 4 meetings with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Everything points over on the total. The Pittsburgh Penguins went over the total in 6 of 7 road games this season. The Montreal Canadiens went over the total in 5 of 6 home games this season.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Vancouver Canucks

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

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won 7 of their 15 games this season, winning three of the last five. The Vancouver Canucks have won 3 of their 15 games this season, winning one of the last five. When these teams last met, on January 31, 2026, the Toronto Maple Leafs won 3-2 on the road.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Anthony Stolarz (confirmed, .906 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Kevin Lankinen (not yet confirmed, .812 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Vancouver Canucks.
• Mismatch in scoring. The Toronto Maple Leafs averaged 3.73 goals per game this season, tied for the 3rd most in the NHL, and the Vancouver Canucks allowed 4.53 goals per game, the most.
• Weakness against weakness in shots. The Vancouver Canucks averaged 21.1 shots on goal per game this season, the fewest in the NHL, and the Toronto Maple Leafs allowed 29.4 shots on goal per game, the 8th most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Toronto Maple Leafs a 63.8% chance to beat Vancouver Canucks. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -190 at Fanatics, is priced below the fair price of -176 (−2.6% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 53.5% and the under at 46.5%. 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, 6.8 goals, sits on the 6.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 a 41.2% chance to cover and Vancouver Canucks +1.5 58.8%. AiQ's read matches the market price, so AiQ has no edge on the puck line.

Trends in play.

Recent totals lean over. The Toronto Maple Leafs went over the total in 7 of 7 road games this season.

Against the puck line, the records pull in opposite directions. The Toronto Maple Leafs failed to cover the puck line in 8 of 9 games as favorites this season. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks failed to cover the puck line in 4 of 5 home games this season.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Dallas Stars

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

The Columbus Blue Jackets have won 5 of their 11 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Dallas Stars have won 7 of their 13 games this season, winning three of the last five. When these teams last met, on January 22, 2026, the Columbus Blue Jackets won 1-0 at home.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Jet Greaves (not yet confirmed, .883 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Jake Oettinger (confirmed, .917 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Dallas Stars.
• An uphill climb on the power play. The Columbus Blue Jackets scored on 13.3% of their power plays this season, the 3rd lowest in the NHL, and the Dallas Stars allowed opponents to score on 6.5% of their power plays, the lowest.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Dallas Stars a 63.6% chance to beat Columbus Blue Jackets. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The best price, -188 at FanDuel, is priced below the fair price of -175 (−2.6% value).
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 5.5 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, 5.8 goals, sits on the 5.5 line.
• Puck line: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Columbus Blue Jackets +1.5 a 60.8% chance to cover and Dallas Stars -1.5 39.2%. 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 7 of their last 10 games.

Against the puck line, the records pull in opposite directions. The Columbus Blue Jackets failed to cover the puck line in 7 of their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars failed to cover the puck line in 5 of 7 home games this season.

Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche

9:00 PM CT at Ball Arena. Averaged over the outcomes the betting lines imply, the projected score is Calgary Flames 2, Colorado Avalanche 5. That is an average, not a pick.

The Calgary Flames have won 6 of their 13 games this season, winning four of the last five. The Colorado Avalanche have won 7 of their 13 games this season, winning two of the last five. The Colorado Avalanche come in with more rest: their last game was on October 28, three days before this one, while the Calgary Flames played the day before. When these teams last met, on October 8, 2026, the Colorado Avalanche won 7-3 on the road. This is their second meeting this season.

Matchups to watch.

• The probable starting goalies are Arsenii Sergeev (confirmed) for the Calgary Flames and Mackenzie Blackwood (confirmed, .894 save percentage in the 2026-27 season) for the Colorado Avalanche.
• Mismatch in scoring. The Colorado Avalanche averaged 4.15 goals per game this season, the 2nd most in the NHL, and the Calgary Flames allowed 3.62 goals per game, the 5th most.

• Moneyline: The betting market, with the margin removed, gives Colorado Avalanche a 79.8% chance to beat Calgary Flames. AiQ's moneyline pick is the side the consensus favors. The price on record, -380, is +0.8% value against the fair price of -395.
• Total: The betting market, with the margin removed, puts the over 6.5 goals at 50.2% and the under at 49.8%. 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 Calgary Flames +2.5 a 52.2% chance to cover and Colorado Avalanche -2.5 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.

Against the puck line, the records lean toward the Colorado Avalanche. The Colorado Avalanche covered the puck line in each of the last 4 meetings with the Calgary Flames. The Colorado Avalanche covered the puck line in 5 of 7 home games this season.

Recent totals lean over. The Colorado Avalanche went over the total in 6 of 7 home 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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