NHL Picks Today: Best Bets & Predictions for Sunday, Oct. 18
By Michael Schwartz in NHL Hockey
Published:
- Sunday’s two-game NHL slate features Blue Jackets vs Wild and Hurricanes vs Flames
- Carolina has rolled on the road, while Calgary has opened the season 1-6
- See my NHL best bets and predictions below, plus Kalshi prices and public betting splits
This evening brings a short two-game NHL slate. The Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Minnesota Wild at 6 pm ET, followed by the Carolina Hurricanes in Calgary at 8 pm ET.
Minnesota star Kirill Kaprizov is day-to-day, and that’s part of why I’m backing the underdog in the latest NHL odds. My other two bets come from the Hurricanes vs Flames game.
Here are my NHL picks today, with Kalshi prices, score predictions and public betting splits.
NHL Picks Today: Best Bets on Kalshi
On Kalshi, the contract price in cents lines up with the market’s implied probability. Columbus at 37¢ is the longest shot on my card, while the Flames game under at 55¢ is the only bet priced above even.
My score predictions are Columbus 3-2 in Minnesota and Carolina 5-1 in Calgary. A 5-1 final would cash both Hurricanes vs Flames bets.
Prices via Kalshi. New users can grab SBD’s Kalshi promo code before trading Sunday’s NHL card.
NHL Best Bets and Predictions for Sunday
NHL Best Bet 1: Hurricanes -1.5 vs Flames
- Hurricanes -1.5 (44¢ on Kalshi)
My Hurricanes vs Flames puck line pick is Carolina -1.5 at 44¢, about a 44% implied chance. The Canes are 14-1 over their last 15 road games and have won four of the last five meetings with Calgary.
This season’s numbers back it up. Carolina scores 3.78 goals per game, while Calgary has managed just 2.00 and allowed 4.86.
Special teams widen the gap. Carolina’s 27% power play gets an 80% Flames penalty kill, and the Canes’ 93.5% kill should keep Calgary quiet with the extra man. My 5-1 projection clears the -1.5 with room to spare.
NHL Best Bet 2: Blue Jackets Moneyline vs Wild
- Blue Jackets moneyline (37¢ on Kalshi)
My Blue Jackets vs Wild prediction is Columbus at 37¢, roughly a 37% implied chance of a road win. I have the Blue Jackets winning 3-2.
Columbus has a good history in this role. The Blue Jackets have won four of their last six as road underdogs, and they’re 7-1 in their last eight road games following a loss.
Minnesota has been tough at home overall, winning six of its last seven there. Against teams with losing records, though, the Wild are just 2-5 over their last seven home games.
Kaprizov’s status is the swing factor. If he sits, Minnesota loses its biggest star, and I still like the price on the dog if he plays.
NHL Best Bet 3: Hurricanes vs Flames Under 6.5
- Hurricanes vs Flames Under 6.5 (55¢ on Kalshi)
Wrapping up my NHL picks today, I’m going under 6.5 in Hurricanes vs Flames at 55¢, around a 55% implied chance. Carolina allows just 2.33 goals and 21.67 shots per game.
Calgary’s offense hasn’t forced anyone to adjust, averaging only 2.00 goals per game. That puts most of the scoring burden on Carolina.
My 5-1 projection lands at six goals, below the 6.5 total. The Canes’ 93.5% penalty kill also limits Calgary’s opportunities with the extra skater.
NHL Public Betting Splits for Sunday
The NHL public betting splits show heavy support for both favorites. Here’s the moneyline handle for tonight’s games, ranked by share of the money:
- Minnesota Wild (97.39%)
- Carolina Hurricanes (91.68%)
- Calgary Flames (8.32%)
- Columbus Blue Jackets (2.61%)
Minnesota holds 97.39% of the moneyline handle, leaving Columbus at just 2.61%. I’m on the other side of that crowd, but my case rests on the Blue Jackets’ road trends and the Wild’s split against losing teams, not the lopsided money.
In Calgary, the public and I agree. Carolina has 91.68% of the handle, though its road form and scoring edge are better reasons to back the Canes than where the crowd sits.
