Anyone looking to make the most of the latest NHL betting odds is going to be a happy camper on Thursday. Eight games are on the docket, and the schedule includes not only intriguing matchups galore, but has a handful of Stanley Cup contenders in action, too.
We enter this batch of NHL betting picks wondering, first and foremost, whether the reigning champion Tampa Bay Lightning are in trouble. We also want to know if the Pittsburgh Penguins are for real, and whether the St. Louis Blues can pull off an upset over the Colorado Avalanche.
Before getting down to our NHL picks, though, let's take a look at the latest NHL odds, courtesy of the fine folks over at BetOnline:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Penguins | -118 | +107 | Calgary Flames |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -133 | +120 | Boston Bruins |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -295 | +260 | Arizona Coyotes |
| Colorado Avalanche | -119 | +108 | St. Louis Blues |
| Anaheim Ducks | -128 | +116 | Buffalo Sabres |
| Seattle Kraken | -105 | -105 | Minnesota Wild |
| San Jose Sharks | -128 | +116 | Montreal Canadiens |
| Winnipeg Jets | -108 | -102 | Los Angeles Kings |
Though we are making these hockey betting picks on the eve of every game, you'll still want to double-check all hockey betting odds for accuracy. Lines will continue to move prior to the opening faceoff at all of the top online sportsbooks.
NHL Betting Picks for Lightning, Blues, Penguins and More
While we usually like to identify our five or so best NHL bets for nightly slates, we've opted for a change of pace this time around. Eight games are on tap, and we're providing NHL betting predictions for every single one!
Just so you know, we'll be moving through our best NHL betting picks quite fast, so try to keep up.
Lightning will Assert Dominance Over Arizona
After losing some talent over the offseason, the Lightning are off to a wobbly 3-3 start that has many wondering whether their bid for a third straight Stanley Cup will ever get off the ground. We're not worried.
Tampa Bay has played one of the five toughest schedules to date and still has a deeper-than-average roster. They'll get it done versus a weak Coyotes squad.
OSB Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning (-295)
Pittsburgh to Squeak Past Calgary
Injuries and age were supposed to torpedo the Penguins' season. They haven't.
Pittsburgh has a plus-seven goal differential and has kept games close even when they lose. Calgary is not a nobody, but the Penguins offense should be able to hold them off.
OSB Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins (-118)
Carolina Sends Message vs. Boston
Some will be inclined to invest in a Bruins upset. Don't do it.
Carolina currently grades out as the NHL's second-best team. They are not only a perfect 5-0, but they have a plus-14 goal differential against an easy-yet-not-too-easy schedule.
OSB Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes (-133)
The Blues Take Down the Avalanche
Linemakers are showing too much faith in the Avalanche for this one. Sure, they're playing in Colorado. But this isn't the same Avalanche team that was nearly favored to win the 2021 Stanley Cup.
Despite playing a super light schedule thus far, Colorado is two games under .500 and sporting a minus-seven goal differential. The Blues, on the other hand, enter with a perfect 5-0 record and have outscored their opponents by more than 2-to-1.
OSB Prediction: St. Louis Blues (+108)
Buffalo Gets a Win Against Anaheim
To be honest, we're not quite sure what oddsmakers are thinking here. The Ducks offense has been pluckier than expected, but they're going up against one of the five best defenses in the NHL.
Go with Buffalo—especially when they're paying out better than even money.
OSB Prediction: Buffalo Sabres (+116)
Minnesota will Command Respect vs. Seattle
The Wild weren't mentioned as fringe contenders entering the season. Maybe they should have been.
Minnesota has a narrow goal differential (plus-two) but has labored through one of the league's toughest schedules. The Kraken haven't shown nearly enough on defense to warrant a nod here.
OSB Prediction: Minnesota Wild (-105)
San Jose Takes Care of Montreal
Only one squad currently grades out as a weaker team than the Canadiens. That's great news for the Sharks.
There's no need to second guess this. San Jose is allowing fewer than 2.4 goals per game and gets to face a truly stuck-in-the-mud offense on Thursday.
OSB Prediction: San Jose Sharks (-128)
Winnipeg Makes Quick Work of Los Angeles
It's probably time to start worrying about the Kings. They have mustered just 14 goals through their first six games—only one of which has ended with a victory.
Winnipeg is not bulletproof, of course. Their defense has been hit or miss to start the year. But we're not in the business of trusting the Kings at the moment.
OSB Prediction: Winnipeg Jets (-108)
Check out this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all your NHL betting:
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