NHL Picks Today: Best Bets & Predictions for Tuesday, Oct. 6

• My NHL picks today cover Tuesday’s nine-game schedule
• The best bets include two moneyline wagers and a total pick
• Keep reading for my NHL picks today, including best bets and predictions for Tuesday, Oct. 6

Tuesday’s nine-game NHL slate brings a busy night of early-season matchups. My NHL picks today cover every game, with three best bets getting a closer look below.

Scoring and save percentages offer useful starting points, but these teams have only played two or three games. I am weighing those numbers alongside longer-term matchup trends.

Here are my NHL picks today, including best bets and predictions for Tuesday, Oct. 6.

NHL Predictions for Tuesday, Oct. 6

Looking at the board for the Tuesday slate, I am predicting that five favorites will take care of business and hold the line, while four underdogs are poised to pull off outright victories. Out of my projected underdog winners, the Kraken offer a plus-money price at +142 in the NHL odds. They bring a tremendous statistical edge in goal prevention into their home matchup and are well-positioned to secure an upset.

NHL Picks Today

Odds as of Oct. 5. Under 6 is from BetMGM; the two moneylines are from bet365. Grab the bet365 bonus code to lock in these lines.

NHL Best Bet #1: Nashville Predators vs Toronto Maple Leafs

• Pick: Under 6 (-110 at BetMGM)

The Predators and Maple Leafs have both struggled to consistently find the back of the net to start the 2026-27 season. Nashville is averaging a mere 1.5 goals per game. Toronto has been similarly stagnant, producing just 2 goals per contest. That limited early production is the starting point for my Predators vs Maple Leafs total pick.

Fortunately for both clubs, they have compensated with sturdy defensive play and reliable goaltending. The Predators are yielding exactly 2 goals against per game. The Maple Leafs are right behind them, allowing just 2.33 goals against. That combination of low scoring and few goals allowed supports my interest in the Under.

This total feels a half-goal too high given the goaltending metrics on display. With two defensive-minded units clashing, I expect a low-scoring game that stays under the total. The math points to a tight checking affair where neither side lights the lamp with frequency. New users can claim the BetMGM promo code for a bonus to use on tonight’s game.

NHL Best Bet #2: Minnesota Wild vs Buffalo Sabres

• Pick: Minnesota Wild moneyline (-113 at bet365)

My Wild vs Sabres prediction backs Minnesota to pick up a road victory. Minnesota enters the matchup averaging an impressive 3.5 goals per game. This sets up a nightmare scenario for a Buffalo defense, currently surrendering 4 goals per contest.

Looking at historical trends extending beyond this season, the Wild are a dominant 8-2 on the road as a favorite over their last ten games in this specific spot. Meanwhile, the Sabres have historically struggled to string together positive momentum. Buffalo is just 1-6 at home after a win over their last seven occurrences.

While neither of these squads currently sits atop the Stanley Cup odds board, my Wild vs Sabres pick focuses on Minnesota’s scoring and Buffalo’s goals allowed. The -113 moneyline implies about a 53.1% break-even probability before accounting for the bookmaker’s margin. I am trusting the Wild to exploit those defensive woes and secure two points.

NHL Best Bet #3: Vegas Golden Knights vs Seattle Kraken

• Pick: Seattle Kraken moneyline (+142 at bet365)

My Golden Knights vs Kraken prediction takes Seattle as a home underdog. They bring a tremendous statistical edge in goal prevention into this matchup, surrendering an elite 1.33 goals per game. Furthermore, Seattle boasts a sparkling .940 team save percentage to mask any defensive zone turnovers.

In contrast, the Golden Knights have been surprisingly loose in their own end. Vegas is allowing 2.67 goals against per game paired with a lackluster .879 save percentage. The Kraken have also had their division rival’s number recently, going 3-1 against the Golden Knights over their last four meetings.

With Vegas 2-4 over its last six games across seasons, the home side is primed for an upset. When shopping across various NHL betting apps, locking in the Kraken at this plus-money price provides substantial leverage. I will gladly take the home underdog riding superior goaltending metrics.