NHL Picks Today: Best Bets & Predictions for October 7

• My NHL picks today cover Wednesday’s October 7 slate
• Two moneyline picks and a game total make my best bets
• Check out my NHL picks today, including the best bets and predictions for October 7, below

Wednesday’s three-game slate offers NHL odds bettors several divisional matchups to consider. My NHL picks today focus on Pittsburgh–Washington and Colorado–Winnipeg.

Colorado is 2-0-0 and Winnipeg is 2-0-1, while Pittsburgh brings a fast start into its Metropolitan Division rivalry. The early 2026-27 samples are small, so I am weighing those scoring rates against the available prices.

Below are my NHL picks today, including the best bets and predictions for October 7.

NHL Picks Today

Odds and prices as of October 6. The Colorado 65¢ contract represents a 65% break-even chance before fees, equivalent to approximately -186 American moneyline odds.

NHL Best Bets and Predictions for October 7

My favorite bet today is the Penguins moneyline in Washington. Alex Ovechkin just announced this season will be his last meaning tonight’s matchup will be one of the final showdowns between the Great 8 and Sid the Kid.

NHL Pick #1: Penguins vs. Capitals

• Pick: Penguins Moneyline (+142) at bet365

My Penguins vs Capitals prediction is Pittsburgh on the moneyline at plus-money. The Penguins have been an offensive juggernaut to start the 2026-27 campaign, lighting the lamp for a staggering 5 goals per game across their first three contests. That is 15 goals through three games, an encouraging start for a team available as a road underdog.

The underlying possession metrics entirely support this scoring surge. The Penguins are heavily tilting the ice, boasting a dominant 51.4% Corsi For percentage. Conversely, the Washington Capitals currently sit on the wrong side of the puck with a concerning 46.7% possession rate. That possession advantage supports my Pittsburgh pick, although three games is still a small sample.

Furthermore, the Penguins are burying their high-danger chances with a highly efficient power play currently clicking at 40.0%. This lethal man-advantage should easily outpace a Capitals squad that is struggling to generate sustained pressure, averaging a mediocre 3 goals per night. That scoring gap is why I like comparing this plus-money price on NHL betting apps.

NHL Pick #2: Penguins vs. Capitals Total

• Pick: OVER 6.5 Goals (+114) at bet365

My Penguins vs Capitals total pick is Over 6.5, aligning with my 4-3 score prediction for this Metropolitan Division clash. I am double-dipping on the Penguins’ remarkable offensive efficiency, primarily because their 15.0% team shooting percentage and relentless 33.33 shots per contest simply cannot be ignored by sharp bettors.

However, while they are a dominant force in the attacking zone, the Penguins have shown significant vulnerability on the back end. They have allowed eight goals in three games, or 2.67 per contest. Washington has averaged 3 goals through two games, giving the Capitals a path to contribute to this total.

With the Penguins’ red-hot offense matching up against a Capitals top six that is desperate to find its footing on home ice, backing the Over at plus odds is a sound investment. Both squads possess the veteran firepower to capitalize on broken plays and special teams mismatches, creating the perfect recipe for a high-scoring, back-and-forth shootout. New users can claim the bet365 promo code for a bonus to use on tonight’s game.

NHL Pick #3: Avalanche vs. Jets

• Pick: Avalanche to win at 65¢ (about -186) at Polymarket

My Avalanche vs Jets prediction is Colorado to win, with a 65¢ contract available at Polymarket. The Avalanche have exploded out of the gate offensively, scoring 14 goals in just two games for an exceptional 7 goals-per-game average in the early 2026-27 season.

The top Stanley Cup odds contender’s special teams have also started strongly across those first two games. The Avalanche currently feature a lethal 44.4% power-play conversion rate while maintaining a perfect 100.0% penalty kill. This two-way dominance allows them to dictate matchups regardless of the game state.

The Winnipeg Jets have been respectable defensively, yielding just 2.67 goals against per game, but they simply lack the firepower to keep pace. The Jets’ offense, which averages a standard 3 goals per game, will struggle to match the Avalanche’s blistering 21.5% team shooting percentage. The price matters: at 65¢, a $10 position returns about $15.38 if Colorado wins, including the stake and before fees. Grab the Polymarket bonus code to tail this pick.