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

Our NHL predictions for Friday feature Nathan MacKinnon's shots prop, plus two more picks from today’s slate.

Liam Fox

Last Updated: October 16, 2026 10:31 AM EDT • 2 minute read

Pictured: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) controls the puck as we provide our NHL predictions today. Photo by Isaiah J. Downing via Imagn Images.

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My NHL predictions today cover both of Friday's contests, including Nathan MacKinnon hosting good friend Sidney Crosby for a showdown in Colorado.

The Avalanche superstar headlines my best NHL bet today, alongside two more picks from Bruins vs. Ducks.

NHL predictions today: Oct. 16

See all of our experts’ NHL picks based on the latest NHL odds.

Pick	Odds	Bet size
Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 shots on goal (Penguins at Avalanche, 9 p.m. ET)	-135 via bet365	1 unit to profit 0.74 units
David Pastrnak Over 0.5 assists (Bruins at Ducks, 10 p.m. ET)	-118 via FanDuel	0.5 units to profit 0.42 units
Cutter Gauthier Under 0.5 points (Bruins at Ducks, 10 p.m. ET)	+130 via DraftKings	0.3 units to profit 0.39 units

Total wagered: 1.8 units | Max profit: 1.55 units

NHL best bet today

Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 shots on goal (-135 via bet365)

Nathan MacKinnon plays a more aggressive offensive game on home ice, where his team can set him up for success with the last line change.

That's resulted in MacKinnon averaging six shots on goal per home game, clearing this total in each of his four contests at Ball Arena this season. Compare that success to his 1.67 SOG average on the road.

MacKinnon tallying at least four pucks on net tonight at home against the Penguins is my NHL best bet for Friday. Among the best sports betting sites, bet365 offers the top value at -135 odds, but there's value betting up to -140 here.

📡 SBR Edge: Mile high home cooking

MacKinnon has cleared this shot prop total in five of his last six homes games versus the Penguins.

More NHL picks & predictions

David Pastrnak Over 0.5 assists (-118 via FanDuel)

David Pastrnak is showing up on the score sheet much more as a facilitator than a scorer this season. He only has two goals, with both coming in the same game.

Meanwhile, the Bruins captain leads Boston in assists. "Pasta" has tallied an assist in four of his last five meetings with the Ducks. I have him keeping that streak going on Friday in Anaheim.

FanDuel has the best price on this player prop at -118.

Cutter Gauthier Under 0.5 points (+130 via DraftKings)

Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier enters Friday on a three-game pointless streak ahead of a matchup with an elite Bruins backend.

Boston is tied for the second-fewest goals against and is expected to have No. 1 goaltender Jeremy Swayman in net tonight. Swayman is off to an electric start, boasting a sterling .930 save percentage and 1.99 goals against average.

I'm calling my shot on Gauthier going pointless against Swayman at DraftKings' plus-money odds.

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Written by:
Liam Fox

Liam Fox is a Publishing Editor for Sportsbook Review. Liam spent the past seven-plus years in the sports media industry building his NFL experience and contributing at some of North America's top outlets. His work has appeared on Sportsnet, Forbes, and Complex. He was previously an editor for nearly four years at theScore, specializing in NFL coverage. His career highlights include asking Patrick Mahomes a question at Super Bowl LV media day and shedding light on the champion Philadelphia Eagles' use of analytics through an in-depth interview with their lead data analyst. A graduate of Carleton University's Bachelor of Journalism program, you can usually find Liam writing about sports, watching sports, or playing sports.