NHL Picks Today: Best Bets & Predictions for Monday, Oct. 12
By Chris Amberley in NHL Hockey
Published:
- My NHL picks today have a best bet from all three games on Monday’s slate
- The Devils leaky defense opens the door for the Senators to pull off the upset
- Read below for my NHL picks today, best bets and predictions for October 12
Monday’s NHL slate opens with Florida at Buffalo at 1 pm ET, followed by Ottawa at New Jersey at 7 pm and Vegas at Minnesota at 8 pm. The three matchups offer different tests for teams still establishing their early-season form.
I’m using Kalshi for this three-game card, weighing shot volume, special teams and the early goaltending numbers against each team’s price.
Here are my NHL picks today for Monday, October 12, plus the latest NHL odds and predictions for every game on the board.
NHL Picks Today: Monday, October 12
Prices from Kalshi checked October 11. Returns are before platform fees. Compare prediction market apps or see the Kalshi promo code code offer.
NHL Best Bets and Predictions
1. Panthers vs Sabres Prediction
- Panthers to win (52¢ on Kalshi)
My Panthers vs Sabres prediction starts with Florida’s tight, structured hockey which limits opponents to 23.2 shots per game. That kind of shot suppression is exactly what you want against a Buffalo team that’s been a disaster defensively. The Sabres are allowing 3.8 goals per game and projected starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen holds a .782 save percentage.
The Panthers have killed 17 of 22 penalties, while Buffalo has allowed six power-play goals on 16 chances. That special-teams difference strengthens my Florida pick. At 52 cents, Florida is nearly a coin flip on the board, and I think they’re the better team by a wide margin in this spot. Score prediction: Panthers 3, Sabres 2.
2. Senators vs Devils Prediction
- Senators to win (45¢ on Kalshi)
My Senators vs Devils prediction is Ottawa to win, my favorite underdog on this NHL picks card. The Senators are 4-1-0 and Tim Stutzle has eight points through five games. They’re playing well-structured hockey and getting excellent goaltending from projected starter Linus Ullmark, who carries a .942 save percentage.
New Jersey generates volume (37.8 shots per game), but the defensive end has been a problem. Projected netminder Jake Allen holds a .896 save percentage. Getting the Senators at 45 cents (roughly +122 in American odds) against a leaky Devils defense is the best value on the board tonight. Score prediction: Senators 4, Devils 2.
3. Golden Knights vs Wild Prediction
- Wild to win (52¢ on Kalshi)
The final selection on my card comes from a clash of Stanley Cup odds contenders. My Golden Knights vs Wild prediction backs Minnesota, even against a Vegas team that’s 5-1-0 with Jack Eichel already on 12 points. But Minnesota’s defensive structure has been suffocating. The Wild allow just 1.8 goals per game and projected goaltender Jesper Wallstedt holds a .936 save percentage.
Minnesota’s special teams are also absurd early on: a 94.1% penalty kill and a 37.5% power play. Those numbers will regress, but even at more normal rates, the Wild are built to grind out close games at home. At 52 cents, I’ll take Minnesota to cool off the Knights. Score prediction: Wild 3, Golden Knights 2.
NHL Public Betting Splits
The NHL public betting splits data shows these shares of the moneyline handle:
- New Jersey Devils: 71.13% of the moneyline handle
- Minnesota Wild: 62.20% of the moneyline handle
- Florida Panthers: 56.25% of the moneyline handle
The Devils are drawing the heaviest action on the board, which is part of what makes the Ottawa price appealing. The public is backing New Jersey at home, but Ottawa’s goaltending and early-season form tell a different story. Minnesota and Florida are both getting majority handle support, which aligns with two of my three NHL picks today.
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
