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This is Daily Dangles, a column featuring our top expert’s NHL picks, predictions, and best bets.
Every day, one of our experts will provide you with some of the sharpest, high-value betting analysis on what the NHL schedule offers us.
For Monday, October 12, Greg Liodice has us covered.
NHL Picks, Predictions Tonight
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- Buffalo Sabres Moneyline (-110, FanDuel)
- Ottawa Senators Moneyline (+108, FanDuel)
- Minnesota Wild Moneyline (-113, FanDuel)
Panthers vs Sabres Pick
The Florida Panthers have had an underwhelming start to the season. With all the hype surrounding the Cats, they found themselves losing three of their last four games.
Losing captain Aleksander Barkov was a brutal blow, after he missed all of last season with an ACL injury. Luckily, Barkov’s injury isn’t as serious, but needless to say, he was supposed to be the guy to get Florida back into the playoffs.
Florida also lost Brad Marchand to an injury for six weeks.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres have also found themselves in the hole.
In their past two games they’ve let up eight goals combined, and have only scored once. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has easily been one of the worst goaltenders this season, which is why Buffalo is going to roll out Colten Ellis.
Ellis has only had a pair of starts this season, but given Luukkonen’s struggles, he’s probably Buffalo’s best option to win.
Both of these teams have been in the top five in expected goals against, but the Panthers have been significantly worse on the offensive end.
The losses of Barkov and Marchand put the Panthers in the hole even more. Which is why I’ll take the Sabres moneyline here.
Pick: Buffalo Sabres Moneyline (-110, FanDuel)
Senators vs Devils Pick
This has been one heck of a start for the Ottawa Senators.
Drake Batherson told the media after their win against the Predators that this is the best start they’ve had for as long as he can remember. And he’s been on the team for nine seasons.
So what gives?
A lot of it has to do with goaltender Linus Ullmark, who is playing like his old self when he won the Vezina Trophy in 2023. Ullmark has stuffed 81 out of the 86 shots he’s faced, with a third-best 5.0 GSAx.
On the other side for the New Jersey Devils, you have the veteran Jake Allen, who is still kicking it at the ripe age of 36. Most recently, Allen helped the Devils pull out a 4-1 victory against the Canucks.
New Jersey’s always been a team that keeps teetering in the middle. One season, it can make the playoffs and be an exciting watch, and the next you can fall asleep watching it.
To start the season, the Devils are trending towards the latter. But Ottawa isn’t far behind either.
Both of these teams are pretty anemic offensively, each ranking near the bottom in 5-on-5 expected goals, but have held strong on the defensive end.
New Jersey is currently fourth in 5-on-5 defense with a 5.75 xGA, while Ottawa is 14th with a 7.89 xGA.
However, for tonight, I’m leaning more towards the Senators and trusting in Ullmark to continue his hot streak. My model currently has the Sens priced at fair value at -124, while FanDuel gives them +108.
Pick: Ottawa Senators Moneyline (+108; FanDuel)
Golden Knights vs Wild Pick
The Vegas Golden Knights have been the model for how to build a perennial contender. And even though we’re only six games into the season, this one has been no different.
Vegas is in its first year with rookie head coach Ryan Craig, and the Knights picked up right where they left off with five wins in the first six games.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild are also off to a nice start to their season. Fresh off a 4-1 win against the Panthers, Minnesota is riding with Jesper Wallstedt as its number one goaltender for the foreseeable future.
After placing Filip Gustavsson on long-term injured reserve, Minnesota puts Wallstedt right where he wants to be: front and center.
Given the magnitude of this game, this could easily be a pick ‘em. Both teams have tremendous firepower and hot goaltending.
However, there are a couple of factors as to why I think picking the Wild outright is the best option here.
First, Vegas just lost its top goal scorer, Victor Olofsson to LTIR.
Olofsson is hardly a mountain mover, but he has one of the sneakiest shots in the league. With playmakers like Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Mitch Marner, Vegas loses a key weapon that can turn high-end plays into goals.
Secondly, the Knights weren’t particularly great on the road last season. They were fine, but a guaranteed win? Hardly.
Lastly, I think Vegas has started this season a little top-heavy. Eichel, Stone, and Marner are the golden boys, and Tomas Hertl is the perfect complementary center, but beyond those four, no one has proven that they can rack up points.
I think Minnesota is the better all-around team to this point, which is why I’m picking the Wild.
Pick: Minnesota Wild Moneyline (-113; FanDuel)
