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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 Sunday, October 4, Greg Liodice has us covered.
NHL Picks, Predictions Tonight
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- Jets Moneyline
- Over 5.5
- Ducks Moneyline
Jets vs Red Wings Pick
On paper, this game is pretty evenly matched, but I don’t think it’s anywhere close as the lines indicate.
The overall vibe in Detroit is morbid.
The Red Wings sent former captain Dylan Larkin, who has requested a trade, out in front of the fans in street clothes for them to boo him at the top of their lungs.
On top of that, it was reported that young defenseman Simon Edvinsson wants to be traded, while the Wings want to re-sign him. And to put a nice cherry on top of it all, the Red Wing fans were chanting for the owners to sell the team.
Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets, who are dealing with a similar situation regarding their goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, didn’t look half bad Friday night against the Boston Bruins.
The Jets nearly pulled out a 3-2 win, until Boston scored in the final minute to tie it up, and then won it in overtime. MoneyPuck had given Winnipeg a 62% on its “Deserve-To-Win-O’Meter.”
All things considered, I really like the build of the Jets. The trio of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Gabe Vilardi has been as smooth as can be for the past two seasons, and they picked up right where they left off on Friday.
We also got to see the debut of 2026 Draft pick Viggo Björk, who ended up being fifth on the team in expected goals.
I like the Jets outright here.
Pick: Jets Moneyline (-110, FanDuel)
Mammoth vs Rangers Pick
Utah played last night in Columbus and walked away with a convincing 4-1 win.
Now the Mammoth, on a back-to-back, face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers are fresh off a back-to-back themselves, after they handled both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Red Wings.
Igor Shesterkin has been really sharp in two starts so far, stopping 43 out of the 46 shots he’s faced, as well as a 2.3 GSAx.
Goaltending may be the part that helps elevate the Rangers back into the playoffs. Because right now, 5-on-5 has been just fine.
Meanwhile, the Mammoth have been one of hockey’s most exciting teams. They have an electric young core, and have managed to bring in wily veterans like Anders Lee and former Ranger Vincent Trocheck.
Conversely to their opponents, Utah’s 5-on-5 has been exceptional, playing to a second-best 74.22 xGF% (albeit a small sample size), and its power play has been strong as well.
Expect them to roll out goaltender Karel Vejmelka tonight, who’s been incredibly hit or miss throughout his career in North America.
Right now, with a 5.5 total, I like for this to go over. My model has given this fair odds of -143, with a 59% chance of hitting. With Utah’s firepower and New York’s uncertainty at even strength, I think this is a good play.
Pick: Over 5.5 (46 Cents, Kalshi)
Panthers vs Ducks Pick
This matchup has me excited.
The Anaheim Ducks nearly escaped a full-on collapse on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights, when they were up 4-1 heading into the third, and let up two straight goals.
Alas, Lukas Dostal and the Ducks held on, but it is a concern. I do like the Ducks though. With Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, they have a dynamic tandem for years to come.
For the Panthers, its a story of hype and heartbreak.
The hype is with the Tkachuk brothers, Brady and Matt playing on the same team, but the heartbreak features the loss of captain Aleksander Barkov for an indefinite period of time.
Even without Barkov, I still think this is a good team. Florida was hampered with injuries all of last season, and I think they had a decent shot at making the playoffs had all worked out.
Now the big question is what happens in goal for Florida? The Cats brought back Jacob Markstrom, who’s been the NHL’s biggest “what if?” his whole career. And while he looked dominant against the Hurricanes, I wonder how he does against a high-powered offense without his best defensive forward in front of him.
Give me the Ducks to win at home.
Pick: Ducks Moneyline (+112, FanDuel)
