Check out the NHL picks and predictions as our experts unveil their best bets for games on Monday, October 28.
The NHL odds board for Monday shows eight games, and our NHL experts are zeroing in on three specific matchups on the slate.
For their NHL best bets, they're focused on Oilers vs. Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+), Predators vs. Lightning (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+), and Sharks vs. Utah Hockey Club (9 p.m. ET).
Below, check out the NHL odds with our top picks for each matchup.
Matchup odds as of Monday and via BetMGM. Make your hockey bets with our BetMGM promo code!
NHL Picks & Predictions Monday
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our NHL betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Oilers vs. Blue Jackets
By Nick Martin
Just as we saw during last season's horrid start, the Edmonton Oilers offense hasn't produced as you might expect. They have scored only 2.33 goals per game. They own the league's lowest shooting percentage, though, and rank fourth in expected goals.
One of the key reasons the Oilers have underachieved offensively is Zach Hyman having zero goals and one point through nine games after tallying 54 goals in 2023-24.
It was unlikely Hyman would repeat that kind of year, but such an extreme drop-off was not expected. Hyman leads the Oilers with 5.0 expected goals. He's due to start finishing looks once again soon, and he gets a quality matchup tonight when the Oilers (-250) take on a Columbus Blue Jackets (+200) side that has allowed 3.43 goals against per game.
At +130, I see value in backing Hyman to break through with his first of the year.
Additionally, if he hasn't already scored in the game, I'd also consider trying to live bet Hyman to be the last goalscorer if the odds dictate it. He plays during empty-net situations, and the team is well aware of his slump and would try to feed him the empty netter.
Nick's Pick: Zach Hyman anytime goalscorer (+130 at FanDuel)
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Predators vs. Lightning
By Greg Liodice
The Nashville Predators are rolling.
Three straight wins after a very disappointing start to the season is exactly how you want to bounce back.
I’m well aware that this will be their third game in four nights, and perhaps I’m shooting myself in the foot with this bet, but I think the Preds have a good chance at keeping the hot streak alive.
To the surprise of no one, they’re getting insane production out of Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly. Additionally, Jonathan Marchessault is starting to heat up, especially after his overtime winner against Columbus on Saturday.
The big factor is Juuse Saros, who started on Friday but will be well-rested tonight. Saros is always reliable, but he struggled to start the season. Now, he’s working his way to get back to the top of the leaderboards by stopping 60 out of the last 62 shots he has faced.
Nashville (+115) has a big test in front of itself. Many thought the Tampa Bay Lightning (-140) would take a step back by losing Steven Stamkos to Nashville (who ironically returns for the first time tonight), but the Bolts are still playing at a high level.
The problem for Tampa is that it’s had trouble gaining momentum in the last week. Since Oct. 19, the Lightning are 2-3, following up every win with a loss.
Additionally, their advanced metrics have taken a hit since then; they’re 17th in expected goals with a 49.89 xGF%, but they have stayed hot defensively.
However, one of the teams that has performed better in both of those categories is the Nashville Predators.
It’s a risky pick, but given the momentum the Predators are playing with, I don’t think it’s out of the question, and it’s a solid plus-money opportunity.
Greg's Pick: Predators (+115 at BetMGM)
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Sharks vs. Utah
For the second season in a row, the San Jose Sharks have started things off with a very long winless streak.
San Jose lost its first 11 contests in 2023-24 and is now 0-7-2 through nine in 2024-25. Nobody expected the Sharks to have much success this campaign, but a step forward was expected after a pretty busy offseason.
The good news for the Sharks (+220) is that their upcoming schedule is not all that daunting, and that includes Monday night's contest against Utah HC (-275).
After a blistering start, Utah has hit the skids with three consecutive losses by a combined score of 12-3. That's a pretty ugly run, but what's most concerning is that it coincides with the team getting hit by the injury bug on the blue line. Sean Durzi is out for months, and John Marino has yet to make his debut for Utah. Those absences have turned what was supposed to be a strength coming into the campaign into a weakness at the moment.
San Jose has its own defensive flaws to worry about, and there's no doubting that the Sharks are the B-side in this matchup. But given Utah HC's current form and the issues they're having preventing scoring chances, this could be an opportunity to buy low on the moribund Sharks.
Michael's Pick: Sharks (+220 at BetMGM)
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