NHL Best Bets Tonight: October 23rd Top NHL Betting Picks, Predictions

The Thursday NHL slate features 12 games, and the marquee matchup is in Denver.

The Colorado Avalanche (5-0-2) return home to battle the Carolina Hurricanes (5-1-0), who are coming off their first loss of the season.

We’ll break down three plays for the Thursday action. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the props and totals market is constantly changing.

Here are the free NHL picks for Thursday, October 23.

Best NHL Plays Today

Blackhawks/Lightning Over 6.5 (+114)
Mammoth/Blues 1P Over 1.5 (-120)
Hurricanes (+110) at Avalanche

Blackhawks/Lightning Over 6.5 (+114 at FanDuel)

Tampa Bay returns home following a 1-1-2 road trip, capped off by three consecutive one-goal losses. The Lightning host the Blackhawks, who have won three of their last four games since dropping their first three games.

From a totals perspective, the Lightning scored a total of five goals in the past three losses, resulting in three Unders. At home, Tampa Bay tallied seven goals against Ottawa and New Jersey, but also allowed five goals in each of those losses.

Chicago has cashed the Over only twice in seven games, coming off a pair of home games scoring two goals apiece. The Blackhawks have put up at least 30 shots on goal in the last two games, while Tampa Bay has yielded 30 or more shots in five of six games.

Mammoth/Blues 1P Over 1.5 (-120 at DraftKings)

St. Louis is coming off an overtime setback to Los Angeles on Tuesday as the Blues continue their homestand against Utah.

The Mammoth also went to overtime on Tuesday, but knocked off the Avalanche, 4-3, to finish off their homestand a perfect 4-0.

The Blues finished with a pair of scoreless ties in the first period against the Stars and Kings, while Utah has scored one goal in the first period in three road games.

However, the Mammoth have attempted at least 10 shots on goal in six of seven games in the first period. Let’s look for both teams to score a goal at this short price in the first period.

Hurricanes (+110 at DraftKings) at Avalanche

The Hurricanes continue their six-game road swing, coming off a 4-1 loss at Vegas on Monday, their first defeat of the season.

Carolina travels to Colorado, who suffered its second setback with an overtime loss at Utah on Tuesday. The Avalanche are back home for one game before heading east for a pair of games at Boston and New Jersey.

The Hurricanes have lost their four visits to Denver, including last season as a road favorite, 6-4. Carolina scored four or more goals in each of their five victories before getting held to one goal by the Golden Knights.

Colorado has allowed one goal or less in all five wins, but the Avalanche have defeated only one team with a winning record so far. The Hurricanes are an underdog for the first time this season and worth a strong look here to end their woes in the Mile High City.