NHL Picks Today: Best Bets & Predictions for Friday, Oct. 16

• Friday’s NHL slate is a two-game card, with the Penguins in Colorado and the Bruins in Anaheim
• Both home teams have stumbled on their own ice lately, and one is priced as a solid favorite
• See my NHL picks today below, plus Kalshi prices and where the public money is landing

Friday’s NHL schedule is a quick one, with just two games on the board. The Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena, while the Boston Bruins head to Honda Center to face the Anaheim Ducks.

Neither home team has protected its building lately. That’s where I’m finding value in the latest NHL odds, with one underdog and one road favorite on my card. Here are my NHL picks today, along with the Kalshi prices and public betting splits for both games.

NHL Picks: Best Bets on Kalshi

On Kalshi, the contract price in cents doubles as the market’s implied probability. The Penguins at 35¢ carry about a 35% implied chance to win in Colorado, while the Bruins at 52¢ sit just above even as road favorites in Anaheim.

Prices via Kalshi. New users can check out SBD’s Kalshi promo code before trading Friday’s NHL slate.

Tonight’s NHL Best Bets and Predictions

I’m trading both of tonight’s NHL predictions on Kalshi, one of the top prediction market apps. Instead of a sportsbook ticket, you’re buying a contract on the outcome.

Penguins vs Avalanche Prediction

• Penguins (35¢ on Kalshi)

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Penguins vs Avalanche Prediction

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Kalshi

Pittsburgh

35%

Predict

My Penguins vs Avalanche prediction goes against the home favorite, with Ball Arena not much of an edge lately. The Avs are just 2-4 in their last six home games as the favorite.

The bigger worry is in the crease. Colorado has posted an .881 team save percentage to start the year and is allowing 2.86 goals per game.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has played its best hockey against good teams. The Pens are 3-1 over their last four against opponents with winning records. With only a 35% implied chance baked into the price, I’m happy to take a position on the road upset.

Bruins vs Ducks Prediction

• Bruins (52¢ on Kalshi)

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Bruins vs Ducks Prediction

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Kalshi

Boston

52%

Predict

My Bruins vs Ducks prediction starts with Boston’s 5-2 record, and the road has treated it well. The B’s are 4-1 over their last five away from home, and they’ve won at that same 80% clip as a favorite.

Keeping pucks out of the net has carried them. Bruins goaltending has combined for a .920 save percentage, and the team is allowing just 2.14 goals per game.

Anaheim hasn’t given its fans much to cheer about, dropping three of its last four at home. Wrapping up my NHL picks today, I’m buying the Bruins at 52¢, roughly a 52% implied chance, to keep rolling out west.

NHL Public Betting Splits for Friday

Friday’s NHL public betting splits aren’t something to follow blindly, but they show where the crowd sits before puck drop. Here’s how the moneyline handle breaks down for tonight’s two games, ranked by share of the money:

1. Avalanche (61.2%)
2. Bruins (56.4%)
3. Ducks (43.6%)
4. Penguins (38.8%)

Colorado is pulling the biggest share of the handle on the board, which leaves Pittsburgh at 38.8%. I’m fine going against the crowd there, given how the Avs have fared at home as favorites.

In Anaheim, the public and I are on the same side. The Bruins hold 56.4% of the moneyline handle, and their road record backs that up.